Decadent Chocolate Nutella Tart: A Gluten-Free & Vegan Delight

Prepare to fall head over heels for this incredible Chocolate Nutella Tart! If the mere mention of Nutella excites your taste buds, then you’re in for an absolute treat. This dessert is a game-changer, especially for those seeking gluten-free and vegan-friendly options without compromising on flavor or texture. Featuring an irresistible chewy coconut almond crust and a luxuriously creamy chocolate coconut ganache, it’s a dessert that truly has it all.

Imagine a dessert that combines rich chocolate with the enchanting hazelnut flavor of Nutella, all encased in a wholesome, yet utterly decadent, crust. This tart delivers on every promise of indulgence, while being surprisingly straightforward to create. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is designed for success, resulting in a show-stopping dessert that will impress everyone.

The Inspiration Behind This Irresistible Tart

For those familiar with our culinary creations, you might know that one of our most beloved recipes is a classic Chocolate Coconut Tart. It boasts a rich, gluten-free coconut crust that has consistently ranked among our top-5 recipes year after year. Its solid dependability and exquisite taste make it a true crowd-pleaser. One memorable day, while preparing this fan-favorite for a friend, a brilliant idea sparked: “What if I elevated the chocolate filling with the irresistible charm of Nutella?” And just like that, this glorious variation was born, blending the familiar comfort of our classic with an exciting new dimension of flavor.

A Foundation of Flavor: The Nutty Coconut Almond Crust

The journey to dessert perfection begins with the crust, and this one is truly exceptional. The decision to infuse an already delightful almond-coconut base with the rich essence of hazelnuts was pure genius. This addition deepens the flavor profile, adding a warm, nutty undertone that perfectly complements the forthcoming chocolate and Nutella filling. What makes this crust even more appealing is its simplicity: it’s the only component of this entire tart that requires baking. A mere 10 minutes in the oven transforms the mixture into a toasted, golden-brown marvel, firm enough to hold its shape yet retaining a delightful chewiness. This brief baking time not only sets the crust beautifully but also allows the natural oils in the nuts and coconut to release their full aroma and flavor, creating a truly mouth-watering foundation for our tart.

The Heart of the Tart: Creamy Chocolate Nutella Ganache

Once our perfectly toasted crust has cooled, it’s time to create the star of the show: the silky-smooth chocolate ganache filling. This process is surprisingly simple, yet yields a remarkably luxurious result. We begin by melting a high-quality chocolate bar with creamy coconut milk, creating a rich, luscious base. The key here is to use good chocolate; its quality will shine through in the final taste and texture of your ganache. After achieving a smooth and glossy chocolate mixture, we whisk in the star ingredient: Nutella, or your preferred hazelnut spread. The Nutella not only infuses the ganache with its distinctive hazelnut flavor but also contributes to an even creamier, more decadent texture. While traditional Nutella contains dairy, making this recipe suitable for vegan diets is effortless—simply opt for a high-quality vegan hazelnut spread. This ensures your tart meets all dietary needs while remaining incredibly delicious.

The Perfect Garnish: Toppings That Elevate Every Bite

No masterpiece is complete without its final flourishes, and this Chocolate Nutella Tart is no exception. Do not, under any circumstances, skip the toppings! They are far more than just decoration; they add crucial layers of texture, freshness, and complementary flavors that elevate this simple tart into an extraordinary dessert experience. For this recipe, we chose a vibrant combination of fresh raspberries, crunchy pistachios, and additional toasted hazelnuts. The bright, tangy notes of the raspberries cut through the richness of the chocolate and Nutella, offering a refreshing contrast. The pistachios provide a lovely pop of color and a satisfying crunch, while the extra toasted hazelnuts amplify the nutty profile from the crust and filling. Each bite becomes a symphony of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and slightly tart sensations, making this tart an absolute delight for all the senses.

Your Go-To Dessert for Any Occasion

The result of combining these incredible elements is nothing short of pure bliss. This Chocolate Nutella Tart is destined to become that cherished, go-to dessert you keep in your culinary repertoire for every special occasion, or simply when a profound chocolate craving strikes. Its elegance makes it perfect for dinner parties, where it’s sure to garner rave reviews. Yet, its ease of preparation also makes it an ideal treat for a quiet evening at home. With its impressive appearance and irresistible flavor, it’s a dessert that speaks volumes without requiring hours in the kitchen.

Demystifying the Process: How to Make This Easy No-Bake Tart

Still not convinced by the sheer deliciousness and simplicity of this tart? Allow us to walk you through the straightforward process of creating this incredible no-bake (well, mostly no-bake!) dessert. We’ll guide you step-by-step, ensuring you feel confident in every stage of preparation. If you prefer to jump straight to the full recipe card, feel free to scroll to the end of this article where all the details are laid out for your convenience. Otherwise, prepare to embark on a delightful culinary adventure!

Crafting the Perfect Crust

To begin, gather your trusty food processor. This makes quick work of preparing our flavorful crust. Combine the almond meal, unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted hazelnuts, and a pinch of salt in the food processor bowl. Pulse these ingredients a few times until they are finely ground and well combined, but still retain a slight texture. This mixture forms the dry base of our wonderfully chewy crust.

Next, in a separate small container or microwave-safe bowl, gently melt the coconut oil and your choice of agave or maple syrup together. Ensure they are fully combined and liquid. Pour this warm, binding mixture into the food processor with the dry ingredients. Pulse again until the entire mixture is thoroughly combined and starts to clump together, resembling wet sand. This indicates it’s ready to be pressed into your tart pan.

Transfer the crust mixture into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Evenly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. For a perfectly uniform and firm crust, use the flat bottom of a cup or a tart tamper to press down hard and compact the mixture. This step is crucial for preventing the crust from crumbling after baking and ensures a clean release.

Now, bake the crust in your preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10-12 minutes, or until it turns a beautiful golden brown and feels firm to the touch. Keep a close eye on it to prevent over-browning. Once baked, remove the tart pan from the oven and allow the crust to cool completely on a wire rack. A fully cooled crust is essential before adding the filling to prevent the ganache from melting.

Crafting the Silky Chocolate Nutella Filling

Once the crust is cooling, we move on to what many consider the best part: the rich and creamy filling. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, place your finely chopped bittersweet chocolate. Using good quality chocolate is key here, as it forms the backbone of your ganache. Set this bowl aside for a moment.

In a small saucepan, gently bring the canned coconut milk to a boil over medium heat. Watch it carefully to ensure it doesn’t boil over. As soon as it reaches a gentle boil, remove it from the heat. Promptly pour the hot coconut milk over the chopped chocolate in your mixing bowl. Let it stand undisturbed for 2 minutes. This allows the heat from the milk to slowly melt the chocolate. After 2 minutes, begin stirring gently from the center outwards until the mixture transforms into a wonderfully smooth, glossy, and creamy ganache.

Finally, whisk in the pure vanilla extract for an added layer of flavor. Then, comes the star addition: your cup of Nutella or vegan hazelnut spread. Incorporate it thoroughly until the ganache is uniformly smooth and infused with that irresistible hazelnut aroma. The consistency should be thick and utterly decadent.

Carefully pour the warm chocolate ganache into the completely cooled tart shell. Gently spread it evenly to the edges. Once filled, transfer the tart to the refrigerator to chill until it is completely set. This crucial step typically takes at least three hours, but for best results and firmest ganache, leaving it overnight is highly recommended. Patience here will be rewarded with a perfectly sliceable tart.

The Grand Finale: Adding the Toppings

Once your tart is perfectly chilled and set, it’s time for the final, visually stunning touch. Artfully arrange the toasted hazelnuts, vibrant pistachios, and fresh raspberries over the top of the chocolate ganache. For an extra flourish that enhances the flavor, sprinkle a tiny bit of coarse sea salt over the tart; it beautifully contrasts the sweetness of the chocolate. These toppings not only add a burst of color and texture but also complement the rich flavors within, making each slice a truly memorable experience.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

One of the many benefits of this Chocolate Nutella Tart is its excellent shelf life and make-ahead potential. Any leftovers should be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week. This tart is also an ideal candidate for preparing in advance. You can make it a day or two before serving, refrigerate it, and it will remain just as delicious and impressive. This makes it a fantastic option for entertaining, allowing you to focus on your guests rather than last-minute dessert preparations. Its stability makes it a perfect gift for neighbors during the holidays, especially if they have dietary preferences like gluten-free or vegan.

The addition of hazelnut spread in this recipe truly works wonders, contributing to an even creamier and thicker texture for the ganache filling. The resulting tart is, quite literally, perfection. Its balanced flavors, delightful textures, and accommodating nature make it a guaranteed favorite. You’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again!

If you’ve fallen in love with the elegance and simplicity of this tart, we highly recommend exploring some of our other delightful creations. You might enjoy the bright and zesty Classic Lemon Tart, rediscover the original Chocolate Coconut Tart that inspired this recipe, or simply browse all of our different tart recipes for more delicious inspiration. Each one offers a unique twist and an equally satisfying experience.

Explore More Decadent Tarts and Pie Recipes

No Bake Peppermint Mocha Pie
Peanut Butter S’Mores Pie
Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe
Salted Cashew Chocolate Tart
No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

We hope you truly enjoyed making and savoring this Chocolate Nutella Tart! We certainly do every time. Your feedback means the world to us, so please share your thoughts in the comment section below. We love hearing what you think of every recipe we share. If you decide to recreate this delightful tart, don’t forget to tag #aclassictwist on social media so we can see your beautiful creations come to life. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our recipes brought into your home!

Yield: 1 9-inch tart

Chocolate Nutella Tart

A decadent gluten-free and vegan chocolate coconut tart that starts with a chewy coconut almond crust and is filled with creamy chocolate coconut ganache.

Prep Time
30 minutes

Cook Time
12 minutes

Chill Time
3 hours

Total Time
3 hours 42 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crust:

½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1¼ cups almond meal/flour
¼ cup toasted hazelnuts
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons maple or agave syrup

For Chocolate Filling:

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (we like using 8 ounces bittersweet and 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate)
1 cup canned coconut milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup Nutella or hazelnut spread (use a Vegan Hazelnut spread such as this for vegan option)

For the Toppings:

½ cup pistachios
¼ cup toasted hazelnuts
1 cup fresh raspberries
Coarse sea salt (optional)

Instructions

To Make Tart Crust:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). In the bowl of a food processor, combine the coconut flakes, almond meal, hazelnuts, and salt. Pulse to combine until finely ground. In a small container, melt the coconut oil and maple or agave syrup together. Pour into the food processor and pulse until well mixed and the mixture starts to clump.
Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Use the flat bottom of a cup or a tart tamper to press hard and ensure an even, compact crust.
Bake the crust in the heated oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and firm. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding.

To Make Filling:

In a medium mixing bowl, place the finely chopped chocolate and set it aside. In a small saucepan, bring the coconut milk to a gentle boil.
Pour the hot coconut milk over the chopped chocolate and let it stand undisturbed for 2 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt. After 2 minutes, stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Whisk in the vanilla extract and the Nutella (or vegan hazelnut spread) until the ganache is smooth, rich, and well combined.
Pour the chocolate ganache into the completely cooled tart shell.
Chill the tart until the ganache is fully set, which will take at least three hours or, ideally, overnight in the refrigerator.
Before serving, top the chilled tart with toasted hazelnuts, pistachios, coarse sea salt (if using), and fresh raspberries.
Store any leftovers refrigerated for up to one week in an airtight container.

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