Chocolate Hazelnut Mascarpone Cups

Featured in Sweet Treats & Baked Goods.

Dive into these rich mascarpone cups, packed with chocolate hazelnut and set on a chocolate cookie layer you don’t even have to bake. The filling’s a breeze—just mascarpone, chocolate hazelnut spread, and fluffy whipped cream all gently folded together. Spoon it right onto your crushed chocolate cookie base. Chill until set, and you’re good to go. Handy for prepping before your party or just craving something sweet. Try toppings like a handful of nuts or some chocolate curls for something extra special. Serve straight from the fridge and enjoy every bite.

Sarah Recipes
Updated on Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:49:52 GMT
Chocolate Hazelnut Mascarpone Cups Pin it
Chocolate Hazelnut Mascarpone Cups | recipesaddicts.com

If you’re after a dessert that’s rich and fancy-looking but super simple to fix up, these Chocolate Hazelnut Mascarpone Cups are always a winner. Each cup packs a creamy, smooth chocolate-hazelnut layer on top of a crunchy chocolate cookie bottom. Honestly, every spoonful takes me right back to those holiday gatherings where we all squeeze in just one more bite of something sweet. Folks go wild for these every time they show up on the table.

The first time these came together was on a scorching summer afternoon I needed something special without firing up the oven. Now, I turn to them anytime a smooth, bold treat sounds right.

Irresistible Ingredients

  • Heavy cream: brings lightness and fluff when whipped up nice and cold for best volume
  • Vanilla extract: gives that cozy scent and ties together all that chocolate flavor pure vanilla makes a big difference
  • Powdered sugar: adds gentle sweetness and keeps everything smooth sift first to skip clumps
  • Chocolate hazelnut spread: bumps up the nutty chocolate taste the better the spread the more luxe the dessert
  • Mascarpone cheese: makes a rich, velvety base blends in smoothly with the other flavors go for soft, fresh mascarpone for best results
  • Unsalted butter: holds the cookie crust together pick high quality for more flavor
  • Chocolate creme sandwich cookies: create a crunchy, deep cocoa base in contrast to the creamy layer always choose cookies that snap and taste super chocolatey

Easy Step-by-Step

Serve and Enjoy:
Take the cups out of the fridge when you’re ready to eat Top them off with berries a sprig of mint or some chocolate curls to make them extra pretty Serve them cold
Assemble the Cups:
Layer that mascarpone goodness over the chilled cookie base in each glass Smooth out the top wrap them up and stash in the fridge for at least two hours to set up and let the flavors blend
Fold Cream Into Mascarpone:
Scoop a third of your whipped cream into the mascarpone mix and gently fold it in with a spatula This makes the filling light Start folding in the rest of the cream bit by bit until the mixture is airy but don’t overmix
Whip the Cream:
In a cold bowl whisk the heavy cream until you get soft little peaks Don’t go too far — you want it fluffy and not grainy Soft peaks work best for blending in just right
Blend Mascarpone Filling:
Beat together mascarpone cheese chocolate hazelnut spread powdered sugar and vanilla in your stand mixer or a big bowl Start slow then go faster every now and then scrape down the sides so everything’s smooth and lump-free
Form the Base:
Spoon the cookie crust mix into dessert cups or little jars Press down to make a flat layer that holds together Chill them while making the filling
Mix the Crust:
Melt your butter and pour it over the cookie crumbs Stir until every bit is covered so it comes together like sand and holds
Prepare the Cookies:
Pop the chocolate sandwich cookies into a food processor Pulse until you get fine, even crumbs Short pulses stop it turning into mush
A cup filled with layers of chocolate, cream, and a fresh mint leaf on top. Pin it
A cup filled with layers of chocolate, cream, and a fresh mint leaf on top. | recipesaddicts.com

The real treat is watching everyone’s faces when they taste that first spoonful Creamy mascarpone with chocolate hazelnut is always a surprise People joke they’ll only eat half and end up scraping the glass clean every single time at family parties

Storage Advice

Keep these tightly wrapped in the fridge They keep their shape for two days after you make them Want to prep early Store the mascarpone filling and cookie crumbs separately and put everything together right before chilling for top-notch texture Freezing is fine too just wrap well and thaw in the fridge overnight (the cream won’t be quite as fluffy, but still good!)

Swap Options

Chocolate graham crackers or any crunchy cocoa cookie you like can trade in for the crust Out of mascarpone Use cream cheese in a pinch—just know it’ll taste tangier and be a bit firmer Ditch hazelnuts for any smooth chocolate spread to skip nuts and splash a little extra vanilla in there for balance

Layers of chocolate and cream with some chopped nuts sprinkled on top. Pin it
Layers of chocolate and cream with some chopped nuts sprinkled on top. | recipesaddicts.com

How to Serve Them

Load them up with any toppings you love Strawberries, toasted nuts, or chocolate shavings all add flair Want more wow Drizzle chocolate hazelnut spread over the top just before serving They look chic in small glasses or go big and layer in a trifle bowl for a showstopper

Tasty Traditions

Mixing chocolate with hazelnuts is something Italian desserts do best—think treats like gianduja or that famous hazelnut spread Mascarpone cheese adds a rich creamy touch just like in classic Italian pastries These little cups are kind of like tiramisu but with a nutty, chocolatey twist that always gets folks chatting

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I keep the cookie crust from being too crumbly?

Pour in enough melted butter to coat the crumbs well. Press down firmly in each cup, then chill it—this holds everything together.

→ Can I substitute mascarpone with another cheese?

You can swap in cream cheese if that’s all you have, but expect the taste to be a little more tangy and less creamy-smooth.

→ Is it possible to prepare these cups in advance?

Totally. Put them together the night before and store covered in the fridge until you’re ready to dig in.

→ What can I garnish the cups with?

Toss on a few fresh berries, some toasted chopped hazelnuts, a dusting of chocolate, or even a sprig of mint for a fancy touch.

→ Do I need any special equipment for the cream?

While using a hand or stand mixer makes whipping quick, a regular whisk and some elbow grease does the trick too.

Chocolate Hazelnut Mascarpone Cups

Cool and creamy layers of chocolate hazelnut mascarpone with crunchy chocolate cookies. Great for get-togethers and easy to share.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Sarah

Category: Baking & Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: European

Yield: 6 Servings (6 individual dessert cups)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Cookie Crust

01 30 grams unsalted butter, melted
02 12 chocolate creme sandwich cookies

→ Chocolate Hazelnut Mascarpone Cream

03 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 250 grams Mascarpone cheese, let it soften first
05 30 grams powdered sugar
06 200 grams chocolate hazelnut spread
07 240 milliliters heavy cream

Instructions

Step 01

Chill the finished cups first, then add a little garnish like fresh mint, hazelnuts, or chocolate shavings right before you pass them around.

Step 02

Scoop the mascarpone chocolate hazelnut mixture right on top of the cookie bases in each cup. Pop on a lid or wrap and leave them in the fridge for a couple hours or until they're nice and cold.

Step 03

Add a third of the whipped cream gently into your mascarpone mix to lighten it up. After that, add the rest of the whipped cream using smooth, folding moves, making sure it stays fluffy.

Step 04

In another bowl, whip that heavy cream until it's holding soft, wavy peaks.

Step 05

In a big bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, mix the mascarpone, chocolate hazelnut spread, vanilla, and powdered sugar until it's all silky and blended.

Step 06

Scoop the butter-cookie crumb stuff between six little glasses and push it down with the back of a spoon or a small tamper. Chill these while you work on your cream.

Step 07

Crush those chocolate creme cookies in a food processor so they’re ground up fine. Move the crumbs to a bowl and stir in the melted butter so everything’s blended evenly.

Notes

  1. Let your cheese and cream warm up a bit before starting. That way, your final dessert comes out smooth, not lumpy.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Food processor
  • Spatula
  • Six small dessert glasses
  • Mixing bowls

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has milk, hazelnuts, gluten, and eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 475
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 34 g
  • Protein: 5.3 g