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These Chocolate Hazelnut Bars have a hazelnut flour crust and are topped with dark chocolate chunks + crunchy hazelnuts. These gluten-free, Paleo + refined sugar-free bars get even fudgier the day after they’re made!
I’ve become a firm believer that when you smile at life, life smiles right back at you. Putting positive vibes out into the world can make a world of difference in how you feel…and it also makes a difference in the life of every person you come into contact with.
I’ve recently been reveling in the power of a positive mindset. After struggling with anxiety for years, I’ve been trying to overcome it by thinking positively and believing in my future, by going after the things I want, and maybe most importantly realizing I can’t control everything. Patience is key.
But with a little positivity and a little patience, good things will come. This past year has been one of big changes for me, but I feel like I’m at a point right now of total contentment – I could pinch myself when I think about the fact that I do what I love for “work” everyday.
I’ve had some exciting news this past weekend, it made me spend some time thinking about how my year has been a great one, and how I began it. When I woke up on January 1st, I decided to myself that I wasn’t going to let myself be in a bad mood this year, as long as I could go. I didn’t exactly realize it at the time, but I had really given myself the New Years Resolution of having a positive mindset.
I didn’t let things that would normally annoy me get to me, not wanting to break my “streak” of not being in a bad mood. As we got further into the year, I mostly forgot about my resolution, but the positive mindset stuck. I occasionally remember my beginning-of-the-year commitment to myself, and try to start a new streak.
In all my ramblings, I guess I’m just trying to say that being positive will make your life better, and you just need a little patience to get there. And something else that does well with a little bit of patience? These Chocolate Hazelnut Bars you’ve been looking at 😍 !!
The reason I say these require patience is not that they take a long time to make – they’re actually relatively simple and don’t take long to bake. They do, however, get better after they hang out overnight. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good on day one. But on day two, and however many more days they last? They get extra fudgy, and the chocolate flavor is extra intense.
These chocolate hazelnut bars have legit hazelnut flavor – they’re used three times in the recipe! The crust is made with hazelnut flour, the chocolate frangipane filling uses hazelnuts in place of traditional almonds, and whole hazelnuts are pressed on top before it’s baked for crunch.
They are alsooo super chocolatey, between the cocoa powder and those big dark chocolate chunks that are on top. However, these don’t really taste like your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread. They’re not super duper sweet, and the chocolate doesn’t overpower the hazelnut flavor – it’s more nicely balanced. You can really taste that toasty hazelnut flavor that gets lost in a lot of chocolate hazelnut desserts.
The filling comes together quickly in your food processor or blender, and these bake in 15 to 18 minutes – keep an eye on them during those last few minutes, because if they over-bake they’ll be dry. If you’re craving something a little unique and majorly delicious, you’re going to love these. Happy baking, friends!!
Want more chocolate hazelnut recipes?
- Chocolate Hazelnut Magic Bars
- Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
- Nutella Stuffed Oatmeal Hazelnut Cookies
Gluten-Free Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup 112g hazelnut flour
- 2 tablespoons 14g tapioca flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
For the topping
- ¾ cup 110g hazelnuts
- 1 tablespoon tapioca flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, preferably Dutch processed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- 5 tablespoons 70g coconut oil
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup hazelnuts
- 3 oz. dark chocolate, cut into chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8” square pan with parchment paper. Grease with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the hazelnut flour, tapioca flour, coconut sugar, salt, and melted coconut oil until fully combined, and there’s no dry flour remaining. Press the crust evenly in the pan.
- In your food processor or blender, grind the hazelnuts, tapioca flour, salt, and coconut sugar to a powder (or as fine as you can make it). Add the coconut oil and process until no longer visible. Add the egg and vanilla, blending until completely incorporated, and a smooth paste is formed. Spread the filling evenly over the hazelnut crust.
- Top the filling with chocolate chunks and hazelnuts and press them into the chocolate hazelnut mixture.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until just barely set and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean – be careful not to over-bake or they’ll be dry!
- Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container.
Love this girl!! I have anxiety, too, and it can be a real struggle! A positive mindset makes all the difference though. I love your perspective! These bars look absolutely INCREDIBLE!
These are beyond gorgeous Rachel! You had me at hazelnut crust! Yum. I like what you said about “smiling at life” :) that’s a nice way to think of it.
Thanks so much, Karen! :)
Rachel you are an incredibly talented young lady and have nothing to be anxious about. Keep up the positivity and believe in your talent, what a God given gift you have. For a diabetic like me your recipes are a blessing, thanks so much. Keep smiling, keep being happy and God bless you.
PS: what can I substitute the tapioca flour with? Ta.
Thank you so much, Simy! Your sweet comment has made my morning :) I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed my recipes. As for a tapioca flour substitute, corn starch or arrowroot flour would do the trick.
Oh my word. First, these are amazing. LOVE the chocolate hazelnut combo! And I love your resolution to just be happier — that is something I need to work on sometimes when I’m trying to accomplish things with a 1 and 4 year old hanging off of my legs. Lol. Maybe these bars would help! ;)
Thanks so much Ashley! These bars would definitely put a smile on your face :)
Hi, Hola!
Looks so yummy, I have to do it right now!
PS: ¿Hablas español?
Hola Mary! Yo hablo un poquito de español, pero no escribo muy bien. I hope that you love the chocolate hazelnut bars :)
I can’t wait to try these Rachel. I’ve never baked with hazelnut flour, so I’m just dying to try it.
I’ve been trying to have a more positive mindset as well. It always surprises me how much it helps and chocolate – that is always a guarantee to have a better day.
Love that you used hazelnut flour – I’ve been meaning to bake with it forever.
What a great attitude! I think being positive makes a huge difference in quality of life!
I LOVE anything chocolate & hazelnut so these bars are speaking right at me. Drool-worthy stuff!
Thanks so much, Alida!
yes! I love the positivity mindset, that’s how I generally try to operate too <3 And these bars look FANTABULOUS-hazelnut and chocolate are 2 of my favoritest favorite things!