Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Cookies

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Batch of our super simple Gluten-Free Vegan Nutella Cookies on a piece of parchment paper

This summer John and I went to Indonesia. I know, random place to go, but our friends live in South Korea and were going to Bali (Indonesia) for vacation and invited us along. Because of all our free airline miles, we thought “what the heck, let’s go to Bali.” And so we did. And behold, that is where I stumbled upon perhaps the cutest little coffee/food/gelato cafe I’ve ever stepped foot in: Sea Circus.

Thanks to the recommendation of a fellow blogger who lives in the area, we happened upon this somewhat familiar “American” food establishment with a Balinese twist. Oh man was it delicious. And the coffee! When you haven’t had good coffee for 10 days + and then someone puts a proper capp in front of your face, you could just die. Just literally die. Don’t even get me started on the tacos…

Another reason I loved this place? They had BACIO (chocolate-hazelnut) gelato that was rich and chocolaty and intense with hazelnut flavor thanks tiny bits of hazelnut blended right into every bite. It was intense.

Food processor filled with homemade hazelnut meal
Food processor filled with freshly pulsed Hazelnut No-Bake Cookie dough

Ever since I slurped down that bacio gelato cone I could NOT shake the idea of making chocolate-hazelnut cookies from my mind. And so to the kitchen I went to test. After one raw batch and one baked, I heavily preferred the no-bakes. I mean, 4 ingredients, no butter or sugar or baking, AND they tasted better? It was kind of a no-brainer.

These cookies require just 1 bowl, 5 minutes and 4 ingredients, meaning they fit ALL THREE requirements for the recipes on this blog. A trifecta of simplicity, if you will. But that doesn’t mean they skimp on flavor or texture one bit.

The dates provide ample sweetness and fudginess.
The cocoa powder gives them that slightly bitter chocolate taste.
The hazelnuts add that essential nuttiness & “bacio” profile.
And semisweet chocolate chips add yet another layer of chocolate decadence.

This humble cookie is kind of my bliss. Now, if I could only get back to Sea Circus sometime for another scoop of bacio gelato, then my bliss tank would be all the way full. Until then, let them eat bacio cake cookies!

Stack of our Fudgy No-Bake Bacio Cookies recipe
Batch of Bacio No-Bake Cookies on a piece of parchment paper

Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Cookies

Simple 4-ingredient chocolate hazelnut cookies. No baking required, plus vegan and gluten-free. So fudgy and they taste like Nutella. WHOA.
Author Minimalist Baker
Print
Stack of Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Cookies
4.72 from 7 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 (cookies)
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly 1 month
Does it keep? 3-4 Days

Ingredients

  • 1 cup hazelnut meal (ground from raw hazelnuts)
  • 1 cup medjool or deglet nour dates
  • 1 Tbsp cocoa powder (or sub cacao powder)
  • 1/4 cup dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Add dates to a food processor and pulse until small bits remain – it should form a ball, but not a big deal if it doesn't.
  • Add chocolate chips, cocoa powder and hazelnut meal and mix until well incorporated (see photo).
  • Add more dates through the spout while mixing if it appears too dry. You know you have the right texture when you gather a small amount in your fingers and it easily forms a dough. I added a few more to get that perfect doughy texture.
  • Form into 1-inch discs and eat immediately. To store, refrigerate in an airtight container or bag; freeze for longterm storage.

Notes

*You could easily make these into bars by shaping them into a 1/2-inch tall square in an 8×8 pan and then cutting them into bars or “brownies.”
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Nutrition (1 of 12 servings)

Serving: 1 cookies Calories: 105 Carbohydrates: 15 g Protein: 1.4 g Fat: 5.2 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 12 g

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    • Olga says

      I made this cookies today! it was delicious! All ingredients work perfectly. I just took 300 g of dates instead of 200 g.
      Thanks for the fantastic recipe.

      • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

        We’re so glad you enjoyed them, Olga! Thanks so much for the lovely review!

  1. Lou Dale says

    My grandchildren and I love your 3 ingredient cookies. I use 9 me dojo dates for the 3/4 cup measurement.
    The chocolate hazelnut cookies are giving me trouble. I tried twice using almonds.
    I went up to 15 dates, and the mixture still didn’t want to stick together.
    But, they are also delicious!
    Do you have a suggestion? Do you think the dates become dried out?

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hmm yes, it sounds like the dates may have dried out.. let us know if you have success with fresher dates in the future! We’re so glad you and your grandchildren enjoyed our 3-Ingredient Cookies, Lou! xoxo!

  2. Mafalda says

    I gave 3* for this recipe above, 5* was a mistake… but I give 5* to the “Nutella” recipe! ;)

  3. Lanasia says

    Hi Dana – In place of the dates do you think this will turn out just as good with maple syrup or honey?

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi Lanasia! I wouldn’t recommend swapping the dates for syrup or honey as the dates are what really bind these cookies together. Hope this helps!

  4. Marc says

    Eyeballed enough dates and hazelnuts at the store to make two recipes. This left me without quite enough dates to smooth it up (it seemed a little dry with the dates I had). Instead of using extra dates (as I didn’t want to use up the ones for my second batch), I used some chocolate almond milk I had instead. Just a splash worked wonderfully!

  5. Been says

    Just made these, they were delicious!! But i put the mixture in the microwave for 1 minute and they were literally insane, definitely recommend eating them hot! I also used cacao powder which i think gets activated more when heated. Thanks for a brilliant recipe!

  6. L says

    These cookies/ brownies were so good I ate half of it by myself. I used dutch processed cocoa plus 2 tbs coarsely ground cacao nibs. Next time I may roast the hazelnuts and add a flax egg. But as is, it’s still unbelievably good.

  7. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    I’ve always dreamt of visiting Bali. It’s such a magical place!

    Love no-bake cookies! This is so so tempting :D

  8. Tieghan says

    First of all, I am so jealous of your trip! Sound so fun! Second, the cookies are awesome! Nothing beat 4 ingredients, no bake and chocolate!