When chocolate meets roasted hazelnuts, magic happens. These Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cookies are the kind of treat that delivers big flavor, rich texture, and serious crunch in every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just dipping your toes into cookie-making, this recipe is straightforward, satisfying, and worth every minute.
With a crispy chocolate shell, a soft center, and a generous sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts, these cookies are perfect for holidays, casual snacking, or giving as homemade gifts. Let’s dive into how you can whip up a batch of these nutty, chocolatey delights right at home.
What Makes These Cookies So Good?
There are thousands of cookie recipes out there, but what makes this one stand out is its simplicity paired with bold flavors. The combination of creamy chocolate and crunchy hazelnuts creates an irresistible texture contrast. Each bite offers a bit of smoothness from the chocolate, balanced by a satisfying nutty crunch on top.
They also look impressive—perfectly round, dipped in glossy chocolate, and finished with a golden nut topping. But don’t be fooled: they’re surprisingly easy to make with just a few everyday ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make around 12–15 cookies:
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1/2 tsp baking soda
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1/2 cup brown sugar
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1/4 cup white sugar
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1 egg
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips (for melting)
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3/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
Optional: extra chocolate for dipping or drizzling, sea salt for garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or a nonstick mat.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In another bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes with a hand mixer.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain. Don’t overwork the dough.
Step 6: Scoop and Shape
Scoop the dough into small balls and place them on your prepared tray, leaving space in between. Flatten each ball slightly with your palm or the back of a spoon.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes. The cookies will appear soft in the center but will set as they cool. Remove them from the oven and let them rest on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
The Finishing Touch: Chocolate + Hazelnuts
Once the cookies are completely cool:
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Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.
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Dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate, or spread it over the tops using a spoon.
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Immediately sprinkle chopped hazelnuts over the melted chocolate before it sets.
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For extra crunch or style, add a pinch of sea salt on top or drizzle additional melted chocolate.
Let the cookies sit until the chocolate is firm. You can refrigerate them briefly to speed this up.
Tips for Best Results
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Toast the hazelnuts before using for deeper flavor. Spread them on a tray and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, then chop once cool.
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Use high-quality chocolate for dipping. It makes a big difference in taste and texture.
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Cool completely before decorating to prevent the chocolate from sliding off.
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Want to freeze them? Undecorated cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
Recipe Variations
Want to switch things up? Try these creative spins:
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Add orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist.
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Use milk or white chocolate for dipping instead of dark.
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Swap hazelnuts for almonds or pistachios for a different nutty flavor.
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Make sandwich cookies by spreading Nutella or chocolate ganache between two cookies.
Final Thoughts
These Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cookies are rich, crunchy, and completely satisfying. They’re the kind of bake that feels gourmet but is surprisingly easy to make from scratch. Serve them with coffee, package them for a homemade gift, or just enjoy one straight from the tray—you really can’t go wrong.
So preheat your oven, grab a bowl, and treat yourself to a cookie that delivers both texture and flavor in every bite. Happy baking!
