This Chocolate Hazelnut Tart is the ultimate decadent dessert that is dairy-free and the hazelnut crust is simply incredible!
Pi Day is coming up. March 14th. 3/14.
Personally, I never need an excuse to eat pie, but Pi Day is most definitely a good reason to make one!
This Chocolate Hazelnut Tart is made with a delicious hazelnut and cookie crust. The filling is rich and indulgent... but made with avocados instead of heavy cream, so it tastes sinfully delicious – but is healthier!
It all begins with the crust.
Hazelnut Crust
We have to talk about this hazelnut crust all on its own.
You guys: this pie crust recipe is IT. THE pie crust recipe to replace all pie crust recipes I will use from here on out.
I have made a lot of different pie and tart crusts in my life, and this is hands down my absolute favorite.
For this crust, I mixed hazelnuts with Biscoff cookies. WHAAA?? Oh yes, I did. And the result is a beautiful, cookie-like crust with sweet nutty hazelnut yumminess throughout.
GIVEAWAY ::: Speaking of hazelnuts, I currently am working with Oregon Hazelnuts on an AWESOME GIVEAWAY. You can enter to win a fabulous bakeware set from one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie! But, this giveaway is only on Instagram! Go to my Urban Bliss Life Instagram page and click on the photo of this hazelnut chocolate pie. All of the rules you need to enter to win are listed there!
The Dairy Free Chocolate Pie Filling
This chocolate pie filling is dairy-free, thanks to one of my favorite top secret healthy ingredient (avocados!!). You can, of course, make it with heavy cream and with regular chocolate chips if you prefer.
But honestly: you won't miss the dairy. This is a version of my avocado chocolate mousse recipe.
I like this recipe because it makes a thicker pie filling, so the texture is not like a creamy chocolate cream pie. This is a rich, luscious, smooth, drink-with-a-Cabernet-Sauvignon kind of chocolate filling.
The mix of dark and semi-sweet chocolate goes really well with the hazelnut crust.
Chocolate Hazelnut Tart recipe
Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
Ingredients
For the Hazelnut Crust
- ¾ cup hazelnuts
- 22 Biscoff cookies or gingersnap cookies
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
For the Dairy-Free Chocolate Filling
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips*
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips*
- ½ cup almond milk
- 3-4 ripe avocados pitted and peeled
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar or honey
For the optional hazelnut topping
- 3 Biscoff cookies
- 4 cup hazelnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325
Make the Crust
- In a food processor, process hazelnuts, cookies, light brown sugar, and melted butter until ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Press crust mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan, and a little bit up the sides. Just for show (but also to keep the chocolate from spilling over).
- Bake at 325 degrees for about 8-10 minutes, just until the crust is slightly darker in color.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before filling.
Make the Chocolate Filling
- In a double boiler or a glass bowl placed over a small pot of water (so the water is just touching the bottom of the bowl), bring water to a low boil over medium heat. Add chocolate chips and whisk until chocolate just begins to melt a little, and then slowly add almond milk. Turn off heat and whisk together chocolate and almond milk until the mixture is smooth and all the chocolate is fully melted. Remove bowl, place on heatproof counter top, and set aside to cool slightly.
- Add avocado, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and agave nectar (or honey) to a food processor**. Add melted chocolate. Process until the mixture is blended and smooth.
Make the optional topping
- In a food processor, blend ¼ cup hazelnuts with 3 Biscoff cookies.
- Sprinkle over the pie for additional hazelnut yumminess.
Notes
**No need to wash out the food processor in between uses here. In fact, I recommend NOT doing so because the yummy remaining bits of Biscoff cookies and hazelnuts used to make the crust add even more deliciousness to the filling!
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
I made this hazelnut chocolate pie inspired by a sponsored Instagram giveaway. However, I was in no way obligated to create a recipe for the Instagram giveaway, and, as always, all opinions and photos are my own.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
What a satisfying looking slice of pie. Absolutely love your recipe for the pie crust and I am already smelling the hazelnuts. I have not yet tried to use avocado in a mousse. Looks absolutely creamy!
Donna says
Ok first up anything with hazelnut in it is going to get a big yes from me anyway - BUT add in the chocolate and just how amazing this looks and I NEED it in my life right now!! I have been craving chocolate all day and this has just sent that craving over the edge :)
Hanady Awada | Recipe Nomad says
Avocados instead of heavy cream? That sounds like a smart and healthy switch! And it still looks so delicious! Can't wait to make this for book club!
swathi says
This is delicious chocolate pie, unfortunately I can't try it, because my son is allergic to hazelnut. I like that you made it diary free may be I will with another crust.
Nicole Parise says
OMG this sounds so good! i love the idea of avocado in it, and a bit healthier!
xx nicole
nicoleparise.com
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
Oooooh, Pi Day! I will take any excuse to eat pie, and this is as good as any? Hazelnut and chocolate just seem to be made for each other, right?
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
Hazelnut and chocolate is one of my favorite flavor combinations, so this pie really does sound like food bliss! One of my favorite crusts is just crushed hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts, making it both gluten free AND incredibly delicious - love your addition of cookies!
Megan Marlowe says
Is there anything better than chocolate + hazelnut? Not in my book. This pie looks absolutely decadent and something I would eat entirely too much of...and that's ok with me! YUM!
Veena Azmanov says
Oh my I'm drooling.... I love the combination of chocolate and hazelnut.and this looks perfect. Looks so good. - I cannot wait to try..
Byron Thomas says
I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Pi Day!!!! This particular pie not only looks delicious, but has some health benefits too. Bravo!
Gillian Thompson says
This pie is a perfect Pi day recipe. How exciting that is healthy too. The pictures are gorgeous.
Christine McMichael says
I'm actually dairy-free for the month of March, so this recipe is right up my alley! I've been craving all the chocolate things, so it's perfect :) Can't wait!
ManilaSpoon says
Hubby loves anything with hazelnut and both of us love the classic combo of hazelnut and chocolate. I love your crust too and have to try it when I make some chocolate pie. I bet this is addictive!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
What a scrumptious-looking pie! The pie crust sounds to die for! Love that you've included avocado for the filling. So rich!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
This pie looks and sounds delicious. That crust would be awesome....all by itself. Love hazelnuts and you showcase them beautifully here.
jessica says
this sounds delicious and i love hazelnuts!