No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Bars
Layered no-bake bars featuring a chocolate hazelnut crust topped with a silky cream cheese and whipped topping layer, perfect for quick indulgence. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 20 minutes layers grams, crushed hazelnut cookies, unsweetened cocoa powder, grams, melted unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 200 grams, crushed hazelnut cookies
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 100 grams, melted unsalted butter
- 225 grams, softened cream cheese
- 100 grams powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 240 ml, cold heavy whipping cream
- 100 grams, grated for topping dark chocolate
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine 200 grams crushed hazelnut cookies, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, and 100 grams melted unsalted butter; stir until crumbs are evenly coated and hold together when pressed.
- Step 2: Press the cookie mixture firmly into the base of the prepared pan to form an even crust; refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.
- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, beat 225 grams softened cream cheese with 100 grams powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: In a separate chilled bowl, whip 240 ml cold heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks using an electric mixer on high speed, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 5: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated and light.
- Step 6: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 100 grams grated dark chocolate evenly over the top layer.
- Step 8: Refrigerate the bars for at least 3 hours or until firm before slicing into 16 squares.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Bars take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
