No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cups
Velvety chocolate hazelnut mousse layered over a crunchy cookie crumb crust, chilled to perfection without any baking required. This desserts ready in about 20 minutes layers hazelnuts, crushed graham crackers, 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 320 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1 cup, crushed graham crackers
- 4 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 8 oz dark chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 1/2 cup hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes until fragrant, then rub skins off with a clean towel and chop roughly.
- Step 2: Combine 1 cup crushed graham crackers with 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter and the chopped hazelnuts in a bowl; press mixture firmly into the bottoms of 6 individual serving cups to form crusts.
- Step 3: In a medium saucepan, heat 8 oz dark chocolate chips with 1/2 cup heavy cream over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and melted; remove from heat.
- Step 4: In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream with 3 tbsp powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Step 5: Fold the melted chocolate mixture gently into the whipped cream until fully combined and fluffy.
- Step 6: Spoon the chocolate hazelnut mousse evenly over the crusts in the cups, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cups 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 Cups?
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 Cups?
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 Cups for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Cups?
Desserts 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.
