Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Truffles

Okay, so hear me out—these Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Truffles are crazy good. Like, melt-in-your-mouth, make-you-dance-a-little good. And guess what? No oven needed.

I made a batch last week, just for fun… and then made three more. They’re soft, chocolatey, and full of that yummy Nutella-style flavor. My friends couldn’t stop grabbing them!

The best part? You only need a few simple things. It’s mix, roll, chill—done. If you love chocolate and easy snacks, this one’s for you.

Wanna try it too? Let me show you how I made them step-by-step. Trust me, you’re gonna love every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No Baking Required: Great for warm weather or when you want to keep things simple.
• Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: A few pantry staples come together for a rich, satisfying treat.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: These truffles store beautifully, perfect for gifting or entertaining.
• Balanced Texture: Silky ganache meets toasted crunch in every bite.
• Customizable: Easily change coatings or add flavors like orange zest or espresso.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Chill Time:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: Around 2 hours, 20 minutes

Servings:
This recipe makes about 20–24 truffles, depending on the size you roll them.

Difficulty:
Beginner-friendly, with minimal equipment and no baking skills required. Perfect for kids or first-time candy makers.

Required Kitchen Tools

Make sure you’ve got these tools ready before you begin:

• Small Saucepan: For heating the cream and butter.
• Heatproof Bowl: To hold the chopped chocolate and blend the ganache.
• Rubber Spatula: For mixing and scraping the bowl clean.
• Baking Sheet: For chilling the scooped truffles.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking during chilling and coating.
• Cookie Scoop or Spoon: For portioning truffles evenly.
• Mixing Bowl: For rolling the truffles in cocoa powder or chopped nuts.
• Food Processor (optional): For finely chopping hazelnuts, or use a sharp knife.

Ingredients for Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Truffles

Here’s what you’ll need to make these rich and satisfying no-bake truffles. Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card at the end.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Choose good-quality chocolate bars or chips. They melt smoothly and deliver deep cocoa flavor without overwhelming sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps form a smooth ganache base.
• Unsalted Butter: Gives the truffles a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a touch of extra creaminess.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor and enhances the chocolate notes.
• Sea Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and highlights the nuttiness.
• Hazelnuts: Toasted and finely chopped for crunch and bold, nutty aroma.
• Canned Cherries in Syrup (or Cherry Pie Filling): Chopped and drained to add a subtle fruity layer inside the truffle or as a topping option.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: For rolling the truffles and giving a lightly bitter contrast to the rich chocolate center.

Variations for Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Truffles

• Add a Cherry Center: Place a small piece of drained cherry in the center of each truffle before rolling for a fruity surprise.
• Espresso Infused: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso powder with the cream for a mocha kick.
• Orange Zest Twist: Add fresh orange zest to the ganache for a citrus note that complements the hazelnuts beautifully.
• Double Nut: Use half chopped hazelnuts and half chopped almonds or pistachios for varied texture.
• Coating Options: Instead of cocoa powder, try rolling in finely chopped hazelnuts, shredded coconut, or powdered sugar.

How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Truffles

Follow these steps for truffles that are smooth, rich, and perfectly bite-sized.

1. Toast the Hazelnuts

Place hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for about 5–7 minutes, or until the skins begin to darken and crack. Let them cool slightly, then rub the nuts with a clean kitchen towel to remove most of the skins. Finely chop and set aside.

Tip: You can also toast them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes instead.

2. Heat the Cream and Butter

In a small saucepan, combine heavy cream and butter. Heat over medium-low just until the butter melts and the mixture begins to steam. Don’t let it boil.

3. Pour Over Chocolate

Place the chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips) in a heatproof bowl. Pour the warm cream mixture over the chocolate and let sit undisturbed for 2–3 minutes. Then stir gently with a rubber spatula until fully melted and smooth.

4. Add Flavorings

Stir in the vanilla extract and a small pinch of sea salt. If you’re using orange zest or espresso powder, add it at this stage. Let the ganache cool slightly, then fold in the chopped hazelnuts and drained cherry pieces if using.

5. Chill the Ganache

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until firm enough to scoop and roll. The mixture should be scoopable but not too sticky.

6. Roll into Truffles

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to portion the ganache. Roll each piece into a ball between your palms (dust your hands with cocoa powder if the mixture gets sticky). Place the finished truffles on the baking sheet.

7. Coat the Truffles

Roll each truffle in unsweetened cocoa powder, finely chopped hazelnuts, or any coating of your choice. Tap off the excess and place them back on the parchment-lined tray.

8. Chill Until Set

Refrigerate the coated truffles for at least 30 minutes to firm up fully before serving.

Serving and Decoration

How to Serve Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles

• As a Gift: Place each truffle in a mini paper cup and box them up in a small tin or gift box for holidays or special occasions.
• On a Dessert Platter: Add to a festive dessert board alongside cookies, dried fruit, and nuts.
• With Coffee or Wine: These pair especially well with espresso, port, or red wine for a relaxed after-dinner treat.
• Chilled or Room Temperature: Serve them slightly chilled for firmer texture, or at room temperature for a melt-in-your-mouth bite.

Storing Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles

• Refrigerator: Store truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
• Room Temperature (Short Term): Can sit out at room temp for a few hours when serving, especially in cooler environments.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size	Calories	Fat	Carbs	Sugar	Protein
1 truffle (approx.)	110 kcal	9g	6g	5g	1g

Note: Nutrition values are approximate and based on standard ingredients.

Chocolate Truffles FAQs

Q: Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet?
Yes, but the result will be sweeter and softer. You may want to reduce the cream slightly.

Q: Can I skip the hazelnuts?
Absolutely. They’re optional. You can also replace them with almonds, pistachios, or leave them out entirely.

Q: My ganache is too soft to roll. What should I do?
Chill it longer. If it’s still too soft after 2 hours, try placing it in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just make sure to chill the ganache thoroughly if making a larger batch.

Conclusion

Chocolate Hazelnut No-Bake Truffles are the kind of dessert that feels indulgent but comes together with ease. Whether you’re gifting them or enjoying one quietly with a cup of coffee, they deliver the kind of rich, smooth satisfaction that’s worth every bite. No oven, no stress — just good, chocolatey simplicity.