Decadent Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart: A Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Masterpiece

Imagine the rich, creamy, nutty flavor of your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread, transformed into an elegant, show-stopping dessert. This is exactly what our Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart delivers! Far superior to a jar of Nutella, this tart offers pure bliss in every bite, combining intense chocolate with the warm, aromatic notes of toasted hazelnuts.

It’s a symphony of textures, featuring a delightfully crisp chocolate cookie crust that perfectly complements the smooth, luscious hazelnut ganache filling. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the world of vegan desserts, this recipe promises an unforgettable experience that’s both simple to prepare and incredibly rewarding.

And here’s the best part: this decadent dessert is entirely vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free! We’ve even included options to make it Paleo and Keto-friendly, all without relying on obscure ingredients or complicated techniques. This means almost everyone can indulge in this heavenly creation without compromise. It’s a truly magical recipe that caters to various dietary needs while maintaining exceptional flavor and texture.

Why This Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart Will Be Your New Favorite

If you have a fondness for chocolate and hazelnuts, prepare to fall head over heels for this tart. The filling is so incredibly smooth and creamy it practically melts in your mouth, while the chocolate hazelnut crust delivers a delightful crunch and deep, satisfying flavor reminiscent of a gourmet cookie. Each mouthful transports you to a realm of pure chocolate hazelnut heaven, where richness and indulgence reign supreme.

What makes this particular recipe stand out is its ability to be incredibly rich and satisfying, yet completely free from dairy, gluten, and grains. The optional adaptations for Paleo and Keto diets further elevate its versatility, proving that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or decadence. You’d never guess it’s a “specialty” dessert; it simply tastes like pure, unadulterated indulgence – exactly what chocolate should be!

This vegan chocolate hazelnut tart is more than just a dessert; it’s a culinary masterpiece perfect for any occasion. Serve it at dinner parties, celebrate birthdays with its elegant presence, or make it the star of your holiday gatherings. For those who crave an alternative to traditional pumpkin pie or eggnog during Thanksgiving and Christmas, this tart offers a refreshing and equally festive option that will impress all your guests.

Effortlessly Elegant: Crafting Your Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

While this vegan chocolate tart exudes an air of extraordinary elegance, its preparation is surprisingly straightforward. This simplicity is one of its most appealing features! You won’t need an arsenal of gourmet ingredients; the components are easily accessible, making this recipe perfect for those new to vegan or gluten-free baking. Do not fret – this is truly one of the easiest and most rewarding desserts you’ll ever make!

The magic happens with a few simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to create this magnificent dessert:

• Hazelnuts: These form the foundation of both our rich crust and homemade hazelnut butter, providing authentic nutty flavor.
• Cacao Powder: For an intense, deep chocolate flavor without the excessive processing of cocoa.
• High-Quality Chocolate: Choose your favorite dairy-free chocolate chips or a chopped bar. For Paleo, look for 100% cacao chips or brands like Pascha Organics or Hu Kitchen that use coconut sugar.
• Coconut Cream: This is the secret to our luxuriously creamy, dairy-free ganache. Ensure you use full-fat canned coconut cream, chilled overnight.
• Coconut Oil: Adds richness and helps bind the crust and set the filling.
• Maple Syrup/Coconut Sugar: Natural sweeteners that add depth without refined sugars. Adjust to your sweetness preference.
• Water: Chilled water is key for achieving the perfect crust consistency.

Gathering these ingredients is the first step towards a truly exceptional dessert. Now, let’s dive into the simple steps to assemble this show-stopping tart!

Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Hazelnut Crust

The foundation of this tart is its incredible chocolate hazelnut crust – a true standout that tastes like a gourmet cookie. For best results, we recommend using a food processor for this step. Its powerful blades will transform the hazelnuts into a fine, flour-like consistency, allowing us to create a completely flourless, grain-free crust.

Start by pulsing your hazelnuts until they resemble a coarse flour. This crucial step eliminates the need for traditional flour, making the tart naturally gluten-free and grain-free. Once the hazelnuts are processed, add the cacao powder for a deep chocolate base. Then, incorporate the maple syrup, softened coconut oil, and chilled water. Continue to process until the mixture comes together, forming a thick, cohesive dough that’s easy to work with.

Carefully press this delicious dough into your tart pan, ensuring an even layer across the bottom and up the sides. Once the crust is formed, a brief 20-minute chill in the refrigerator is essential. This helps the fats firm up, preventing the crust from shrinking during baking. Before baking, gently poke a few holes in the bottom with a fork – this prevents air bubbles and keeps the crust flat. For blind baking, line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for just 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to achieve a perfectly crisp base. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely while you prepare the decadent filling.

Creating the Silky Smooth Chocolate Ganache Filling

Now for arguably the most satisfying part of the process: crafting the rich, glossy chocolate ganache filling. Watching the humble coconut cream transform into this luxurious, thick, and perfectly smooth chocolate delight is truly a joy!

Making a vegan chocolate ganache is surprisingly simple. While some recipes use vegan butter, our preferred method for this chocolate hazelnut tart utilizes rich coconut cream. This creates an incredibly creamy, dairy-free ganache that’s both decadent and remarkably easy to achieve. Remember to use only the thick, solid part of a chilled can of full-fat coconut cream for the best results.

Here’s how to make this irresistible filling:

1. Gently heat the coconut cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it becomes warm and fluid. Do not let it boil vigorously.
2. Once warmed, add your chosen chocolate chips, cacao powder, coconut sugar, and the star ingredient – homemade hazelnut butter. Stir continuously until the chocolate chips are completely melted and all ingredients are thoroughly combined into a smooth mixture.
3. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring. The mixture will gradually thicken and become beautifully glossy, usually taking about 5-6 minutes. This constant stirring helps prevent scorching and ensures a uniform texture.

Once your ganache reaches this luscious consistency, immediately pour it into the cooled tart crust. Smooth the top with a spatula to create an even surface. The tart then needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-3 hours (preferably longer, or overnight) to allow the ganache to fully set. Before serving, a sprinkle of crushed hazelnuts across the top adds an elegant touch and enhances the nutty flavor, making it truly irresistible – just like your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread, but even better!

Tips & Tricks for a Flawless Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

Achieving the perfect vegan chocolate hazelnut tart is simpler than you think with a few helpful tips:

• Cacao vs. Cocoa Powder: For the deepest, richest chocolate flavor, always opt for cacao powder. It’s less processed than cocoa powder, retaining more of its natural nutrients and delivering a more authentic, intense chocolate taste.
• Fixing a Crumbly Crust: If your crust dough feels too crumbly and isn’t coming together, gradually add another tablespoon or two of chilled water. Mix until it reaches a thick, pliable consistency that can be easily pressed into the tart pan. Avoid adding too much, as this can make the crust tough.
• The Importance of Blind Baking: Don’t skip blind baking the crust! For tarts with non-baked fillings, blind baking is crucial. It ensures the crust is fully cooked and crisp, preventing a soggy bottom. Using pie weights and parchment paper helps maintain the crust’s shape and prevents it from puffing up.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Transforming this into a Keto chocolate tart is surprisingly easy! Simply substitute the maple syrup and coconut sugar with your preferred keto-friendly sweeteners, such as erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit. You can also reduce or omit the sweetener entirely if you prefer a very rich, dark chocolate experience.
• Paleo-Friendly Adaptation: For a Paleo chocolate tart, the key lies in your choice of chocolate. Ensure your chocolate chips or bar are 100% cacao or a Paleo-certified brand that uses natural sweeteners like coconut sugar. Brands like Pascha Organics or Hu Kitchen are excellent choices.
• Optimal Storage: This chocolate hazelnut tart stores beautifully in the refrigerator. Keep it covered to prevent it from drying out, and it will remain delicious for up to a week. It also makes for excellent meal prep dessert or a thoughtful treat throughout the week!

Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart Recipe

Description

Indulge in this deliciously decadent and rich vegan chocolate hazelnut tart, featuring a delightful chocolate cookie crust. Completely dairy-free, grain-free, and vegan, this chocolate tart is guaranteed to be a showstopper at any party! Options are included for Paleo and Keto versions without any “funky” flours or ingredients.

Yield: 10 servings

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 60 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Chocolate Hazelnut Crust:

• 10 ounces hazelnuts
• 1 cup cacao powder
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (or keto-friendly sweetener)
• 2/3 cup coconut oil, softened
• 6–7 tbsp chilled water

Chocolate Hazelnut Tart Filling:

• 1 (16-ounce) can full-fat coconut cream, chilled overnight
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar (or keto-friendly sweetener)
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (dairy-free; use 100% cacao chips for Paleo/Keto)
• 1/4 cup hazelnut butter* (see note below)

Instructions

Chocolate Hazelnut Crust:

1. In a large food processor, pulse the hazelnuts until they are ground into a fine flour-like consistency.
2. Add in the cacao powder and blend again until well combined and uniform.
3. Add the remaining crust ingredients (maple syrup, coconut oil, chilled water) and blend until it forms a thick, sticky dough.
4. Press the dough evenly into an 8″ or 9″ tart pan. Place the crust into the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes.
5. While the crust is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. Once chilled, poke a few holes in the bottom of the crust with a fork. Line the crust with a piece of parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans to assist in blind baking.
7. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let it cool completely while you prepare the filling.

Chocolate Hazelnut Tart Filling:

1. In a medium saucepan, gently heat the solid part of the chilled coconut cream over medium-high heat until it is warm to the touch and fully melted.
2. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the cacao powder, hazelnut butter, chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate bar), vanilla extract, and sweetener.
3. Stir continuously until the chocolate chips have completely melted and all ingredients are smoothly combined.
4. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring the mixture for about 5-6 minutes, or until it visibly thickens to a luscious ganache consistency.
5. Pour the warm chocolate hazelnut mixture into the cooled tart crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
6. Refrigerate the tart for 1-3 hours (preferably longer, or overnight) to allow the filling to set completely.
7. Before serving, top with a generous sprinkle of crushed hazelnuts for added flavor and texture.

Notes

*To make hazelnut butter: Place 8 ounces of hazelnuts into a food processor and blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and creamy. You may need to pause occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

We truly hope you adore this vegan chocolate hazelnut tart as much as we do! Its rich flavor and delightful cookie crust make it an unforgettable dessert, tasting honestly better than any store-bought hazelnut spread. If you create this tart, please let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment and rating below. Your feedback and questions are incredibly valuable to our community!

As always, we’d love to see your beautiful culinary creations! Be sure to tag us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook with #thebananadiaries.

Happy tart-eating!

More Delightful Vegan & Healthy Pie Recipes You’ll Love:

Paleo Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Vegan Mini Tartlets

Vegan Sweet Potato Pie

Paleo Pecan Pie

Healthy Apple Pie

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