If you love light, crispy desserts with a touch of chocolate, these chocolate hazelnut meringue cookies are the perfect treat. With a crunchy outside and a slightly chewy inside, they are refined with rich dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts for a truly delightful bite. This easy recipe requires just a few ingredients but delivers big flavor—ideal for holidays, tea parties, or whenever you crave something sweet and elegant.
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites (from 3 large eggs)
- A pinch of salt
- 10 g vanilla sugar
- 160 g granulated sugar
- 40 g dark chocolate (melted)
- 70 g hazelnuts (chopped or ground)
- 10 g cornstarch
Instructions
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Prepare the chocolate
- Melt the dark chocolate by placing it in a bag and immersing it in hot water until smooth. Set aside.
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Heat the egg whites
- Place the egg whites, vanilla sugar, and granulated sugar in a heatproof bowl.
- Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water (make sure the water doesn’t touch the bowl).
- Heat gently until the sugar dissolves. The mixture should not exceed 60°C (140°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, rub a little between your fingers to check that no sugar crystals remain.
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Whip the meringue
- Remove from the heat and whisk immediately until smooth, glossy, and firm peaks form.
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Add dry ingredients
- Gently fold in the cornstarch and chopped hazelnuts.
- Sift in the melted chocolate through a fine mesh. Do not overmix—just fold a few times to create a marbled effect. For extra flavor, drizzle a little more chocolate on top without mixing.
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Shape the cookies
- Use two spoons to portion the meringue mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle a few extra hazelnut pieces on top for crunch.
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Bake
- Bake at 100°C (210°F) for 1.5 hours, or until the meringues are dry and crisp on the outside.
- Allow them to cool completely before removing from the paper.
Tips & Variations
- Flavor twist: Swap hazelnuts for almonds, pistachios, or pecans.
- Extra chocolate: Dip the cooled meringues halfway in melted dark or milk chocolate for a richer dessert.
- Serving idea: Pair with coffee, tea, or use as a garnish for ice cream.
These homemade chocolate hazelnut meringue cookies are light, crunchy, and absolutely irresistible. With their delicate texture and rich flavor, they’re perfect for special occasions or everyday indulgence. Try this recipe, and let the sweet combination of chocolate and hazelnuts win your heart!