Decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Recipe

Dreamy Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Recipe: Silky Smooth Delight

Rich, velvety chocolate and the nutty essence of hazelnut create a decadent chocolate hazelnut mousse that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

This luxurious dessert promises an indulgent experience with every spoonful.

Smooth chocolate intertwines with roasted hazelnuts, crafting a dessert that speaks to pure culinary elegance.

Each layer whispers of carefully balanced flavors, promising a moment of pure bliss.

The recipe combines simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat that looks far more complicated than it actually is.

Silky, light, and impossibly dreamy, this mousse will become your new favorite dessert for special occasions or quiet nights at home.

Let’s find out this heavenly creation and let your taste buds dance with delight.

Ingredients That Build Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse

For Texture and Richness:
  • Hazelnuts: Adds creamy crunch and nutty depth, choose whole, raw nuts with rich golden-brown color and no sign of rancidity.
  • Dates: Provides natural sweetness and binding texture, select soft, plump Medjool dates for best results.
For Creamy Base:
  • Coconut Milk: Creates silky smooth foundation, use full-fat version for maximum richness and stability.
For Flavor Enhancement:
  • Cacao Powder: Delivers intense chocolate flavor, opt for high-quality dark powder with deep, complex notes.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out chocolate flavor, choose pure extract for authentic taste.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

Tools to Whip Up Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse

  • Blender: Essential for creating a silky-smooth chocolate hazelnut mixture.
  • Ramekins or serving dishes: Perfect for portioning and chilling the mousse.
  • Knife: Helpful for chopping hazelnuts or grating chocolate as a topping.
  • Measuring cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Spatula: Great for scraping down blender sides and transferring mousse.

How to Prepare Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Smoothly

  • Hazelnut Soaking

Let those hazelnuts take a luxurious water bath overnight, softening them up and preparing them for their magical transformation.

  • Silky Smooth Blending

Toss your softened hazelnuts into a blender with sweet dates, rich cacao, creamy coconut milk, and a splash of vanilla. Blend until the mixture becomes a velvety dream, creating a texture so smooth it’ll make your taste buds dance.

  • Serving Style

Pour your luscious chocolate hazelnut concoction into elegant serving dishes, letting each spoonful promise pure indulgence.

  • Chill Time

Slide your mousse into the refrigerator and let it rest and set, allowing the flavors to mingle and intensify. A few hours of patience will reward you with a decadent dessert.

  • Gorgeous Garnish

Just before serving, sprinkle some playful toppings like delicate chocolate shavings, crunchy chopped hazelnuts, or vibrant berries to add a stunning final touch that’ll make your dessert look as incredible as it tastes.

Flavor Ideas for Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse

  • Toast hazelnuts lightly before blending to enhance their rich, warm flavor and create a deeper nutty profile.
  • Swap dates with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different natural sweetening approach that complements the chocolate's depth.
  • This mousse can be prepared up to 3 days in advance, making it perfect for dinner parties or meal prep without losing its creamy consistency.
  • Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder during blending to transform this dessert into a more nutritious treat that supports muscle recovery and provides extra energy.
  • Experiment with adding a dash of espresso powder or cinnamon to the mixture for unexpected complexity that elevates the chocolate and hazelnut combination.

Serving Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse With Flair

  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Create a stunning presentation by serving the mousse in clear glass cups or vintage crystal dishes. Sprinkle a delicate layer of chopped hazelnuts on top for a beautiful contrast and added crunch.
  • Brunch Companion: Pair this rich chocolate hazelnut mousse with a morning cappuccino or fresh-pressed orange juice. The creamy dessert makes a decadent breakfast treat that feels like a luxurious indulgence.
  • Berry Bliss Topping: Arrange fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries around the mousse edge. The bright, tangy berries will cut through the rich chocolate flavor and provide a beautiful pop of color against the dark mousse.
  • Nutty Chocolate Delight: Enhance the texture by sprinkling toasted hazelnuts and a light dusting of raw cacao powder just before serving. This adds depth to the dessert and creates an Instagram-worthy presentation that looks as amazing as it tastes.

How to Store Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse for Later

  • Chilled Delight Storage: Keep the mousse in sealed containers inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Glass containers work best to maintain texture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the mousse 1-2 days before serving for deeper flavor development. The resting time allows ingredients to blend and intensify their rich chocolate and nutty notes.
  • Freezing Option: Portion the mousse into individual containers and freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before enjoying, ensuring a creamy consistency.
  • Topping Freshness: Add garnishes like chopped hazelnuts or berries just before serving to maintain their crunch and vibrant appearance. Store toppings separately in airtight containers to prevent moisture and maintain their quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 304 kcal

Servings: 5

Print
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Decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Recipe

Decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Recipe


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4.5 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy chocolate hazelnut mousse promises indulgent dessert perfection with rich French culinary traditions. Delicate layers of silky chocolate blend seamlessly, inviting passionate dessert enthusiasts to savor each luxurious spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (15 oz / 400 ml) full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ cup (75 g) hazelnuts
  • ½ cup (85 g) dates, pitted
  • 2 tbsps cacao or cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Soak raw hazelnuts in room temperature water for 8-12 hours or at least 60 minutes to soften their texture and enhance blendability.
  2. Blending: Combine softened hazelnuts, pitted dates, unsweetened cocoa powder, full-fat coconut milk, and pure vanilla extract in a high-powered blender. Pulse and blend at medium-high speed, thoroughly scraping sides to create a silky-smooth chocolate mixture with no remaining chunks.
  3. Portioning: Transfer the velvety chocolate hazelnut mixture into individual ramekins or decorative glass vessels, using a spatula to create an even, elegant surface.
  4. Chilling: Cover the filled containers loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or preferably overnight. This resting period allows the mousse to set firmly and develop deep, intense flavor profiles.
  5. Garnishing: Just before serving, elevate the dessert’s presentation by topping with delicate dark chocolate shavings, toasted hazelnut fragments, or a vibrant scattering of seasonal berries to introduce textural complexity and visual intrigue.

Notes

  • Soak Smartly: Hydrate hazelnuts for at least 60 minutes to ensure a smoother, silkier mousse texture and easier blending.
  • Blend with Precision: Scrape down blender sides frequently to eliminate any stubborn nut chunks and create an ultra-creamy consistency.
  • Chill Completely: Refrigerate for a minimum of 3-4 hours, preferably overnight, to develop deep, rich flavors and achieve the perfect mousse density.
  • Garnish Beautifully: Top with dark chocolate shavings, toasted hazelnuts, or fresh berries to elevate both visual appeal and taste complexity.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 304
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 1 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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