*These Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream Cakes are vegan, dairy free, refined sugar free, gluten free, paleo friendly, and can be made in two different ways: Ice cream cake-style, or cheesecake-style! Crunchy toasted hazelnuts are mixed into a chewy brownie base, creamy hazelnut cheesecake/ice cream fills the center, and the top is swirled with a homemade chocolate hazelnut spread.
After I posted my Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake a few weeks back, I couldn’t not come up with a version that was diet-specific and much more nutritious. While I love the original cake, it is definitely for special occasions, ingredient-wise (in my opinion, at any rate). So I made these little chocolate hazelnut ice cream cakes for a special dinner with friends a little while ago. They were a hit among child and adult alike! Chocolate and hazelnut is one of my favorite combinations and these little cakes really showcase the two flavors. Chewy chocolate brownie, studded with chocolate pieces and crunchy little toasted hazelnut bits make up the bottom layer while the middle layer is creamy, smooth, and frosty milk chocolate hazelnut ice cream, Homemade chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella) is generously swirled on top.
In the recipe I also gave an option for making these into cheesecakes (basically just upping the liquids to make the cake icy-er). Nutella cakes should fit any mood, right?
Of course, the one thing that makes making cakes like these a breeze is a high speed blender. You all know how much I love my Vitamix. It is hands down my favorite appliance and I use it on the daily. Having a smooth, creamy base made of soaked nuts is key to raw cheesecakes and my Vitamix is more than up for the challenge. It also makes homemade Nutella a simple and affordable task. I am so thrilled to bring you a giveaway from Vitamix for one of their 5200 Standard Edition black blenders! I can’t wait for one of you to see just how amazing these babies are!
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Complete each box in the rafflecopter widget below.
Giveaway open to US residents only.
Giveaway ends on Friday night at 12:00 am. Winner will be announced on the widget and via email.
Good luck, my friends!
- FOR THE CRUST:
- 8 Dates (Deglet Noor)
- ¼ cup Coconut Milk (canned)
- 1½ cups + 2 tablespoons Almond Flour
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Raw Cacao Powder (or cocoa powder)
- ⅓ cup Coconut Palm Sugar
- ¼ cup Hazelnuts, finely chopped and lightly toasted
- 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Chocolate, finely chopped
- FOR THE FILLING (ICE CREAM CAKE):
- 1¼ cup Hazelnuts, soaked overnight (drain liquid before using)
- ⅔ cup Cashews, soaked overnight (drain liquid before using)
- 1¾ cup Almond or Coconut Milk
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 3 tablespoons Raw Cacao Powder (or cocoa powder)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ cup Coconut Oil, liquified
- ¼ cup Cacao Butter, liquified
- FOR THE FILLING (CHEESECAKE):
- 1¼ cup Hazelnuts, soaked overnight (drain liquid before using)
- ⅔ cup Cashews, soaked overnight (drain liquid before using)
- 1 cup Almond or Coconut Milk
- ½ cup Maple Syrup
- 2½ tablespoons Raw Cacao Powder (or cocoa powder)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ cup Coconut Oil, liquified
- ¼ cup Cacao Butter, liquified
- 1 recipe Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
- 18 Hazelnuts, halved and lightly toasted
- FOR THE CRUST: Soak the dates in the coconut milk for several hours, or overnight, if possible. Place the coconut milk and dates in the bowl of a food processor, along with the almond flour, salt, cacao powder, and coconut palm sugar. Process at a high speed until the dates have broken down completely and the mixture forms a dark, chocolate-y dough that is relatively smooth. Add the hazelnuts and unsweetened chocolate to the processor and process just until they are evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
- Divide the dough between a 6-well mini cheesecake pan with removable bottoms (each well should be about 3" in diameter). Press the dough into each well with the back of a spoon or your fingers until level and smooth. Place in the freezer.
- FOR THE FILLING (ICE CREAM CAKES):
- Place the hazelnuts, cashews, nut milk, maple syrup, cacao powder, vanilla, salt, coconut oil, and cacao butter in a high speed blender (like a Vitamix) and blend on medium/low for 1 minute. Up the speed to a higher setting and blend for several minutes, scraping the sides down as needed, until the mixture becomes completely smooth.
- Remove the mini cheesecake pan from the freezer and divide the mixture evenly between the wells. Drop the pan on the counter a few times to remove air bubbles. Place pan back in the freezer for 4 hours, or until the cakes are completely frozen.
- Remove cakes from the freezer and top each cake with a large spoonful of chocolate hazelnut spread. Spread each spoonful in a swirling motion to the edge of each cake. Top each cake with toasted hazelnuts.
- Place back in the freezer for another hour or two, until the chocolate spread has frozen.
- To remove cakes, run hot water over a wash cloth and wrap the cloth around the sides of a cheesecake well. After a few seconds, you should be able to pop the cake out of the mold. Remove the bottom disc before serving.
- FOR THE FILLING (CHEESECAKE): Follow the instructions for the ice cream cake filling, but use the ingredient amounts listed for the cheesecake filling instead.
Seriously, this cake is beautiful and looks delicious! And happy Birthday!! I really am excited about your Vitamix giveaway because my blender literally just died and my two year old son and I usually have a smoothie together every morning. I also just had a baby three weeks ago and I need all the healthy smoothies and fruit bowls and soups that I can have! A Vitamix is exactly what I need to fit back into my clothes and (hopefully) a very certain dress I have before my sister in law’s wedding in October ( tick tick ?). Thanks for considering me!!!
Looks so good! Chocolate and hazelnuts are my favorite combo too.
My husband and I both in the past year have developed two different health issues that require special dietary needs. A vitamix would be a wonderful tool to have to help fullfill this now very necessary lifestyle.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve been wanting a Vitamix so bad! I have heard nothing but raving reviews from people who own them and it just seems like such a versatile, useful appliance. I would absolutely love to win one!
i’d love to try this out!
This cake looks beautiful, chocolate and hazelnut is a perfect match! I would like to use a Vitamix for homemade soups, my favorite meal in the fall and winter.
I would love to win, I’m now watching what I eat and on the road of eating healthier, this vitamix would help with smoothies, soups and sauces. My blender has played out and I need something with more power.
Dreamy dessert to try! My husband and I went completely vegan on 4/17/2016. We Love everything about it! I’ve been reading blender reviews in the last week to choose one that will help me create everything from nut cheeses to beautiful creamy desserts. Happy giveaway!
I have wanted one for smoothies and nut butters. Thanks.
Recently I began to change the way I eat to better care for my auto immune disease. It’s very time consuming in the kitchen, especially since I don’t have a blender! There are numerous recipes I would love to try, but my tiny food processor just can’t do the job. I’d love a Vitamin because it would enable me to bring these recipes to life and provide healthy, clean, nutritious (and beautiful!) food to me and my family.
I want to start making healthy smoothies.
There are many times I wish I had a high powered blender like a Vitamix!
I need this to make awesome recipes like this one!
i’d probably gift it to my parents. they could use it!
I would LOVE a Vitamix!!! I’ve wanted one for years!! I can make all of the nut butters, especially cashew, and smoothies I want!!
I love your recipes, but you hooked me with your stunning photos. Homemade nutella might be too tempting for me – lol.
I would love to have a Vitamix for my first apartment. I’m moving into next month! Thanks for sharing your great recipes 🙂
I want a Vitaminix because there are so many wonderful recipes that can be made with it!
I’ve recently begun to adapt to a healthier lifestyle (excepting special days with treats like this, of course!) and would love a high-powered blender like Vitamix! My current one is nearly as old as I am and can barely blend frozen fruit anymore, so winning a Vitamix would be like a dream come true.
A vitamix would be an extreme game changer to my morning smoothie routine! It would also help me make all your scrumptious recipes!
I would love to win a Vitamix because I’d love to make smoothies and shakes for my family.
I love making smoothies, soups, and dips. A Vitamix would help me to make the thickest and smoothest pureed soups and hummus and banana “ice cream” or tofu pudding. It would be amazing to win one!
I need a Vitamin in order to continue improving my kitchen skills and making delicious smoothies, desserts, savory dishes – anything for myself and my family.
Looks delicious! Love your insta feed 🙂
I’d love the vitamin because I’m pregnant and would love to make delicious homemade recipes for myself, my hubby and soon to come babe! 🙂
I’ve had my inexpensive wedding gift blender for 25 years… time for an upgrade.
First time commenting,but I must confess.?I have raided your boards and reppinedmore recipes than are humanly possible!I hope you do not mind,but EVERYTHING you create are such works of art!! Then you tell us that they are free of all the junk that we simply must stop putting in our bods,(at least most of the time).Which is why I pinned so many,to a multitude of boards.Such a need for “free”recipes!Love you!!And thanks so much for your hard work!!
This are AMAZING! and it looks Delicious.
Your photos are awesome, Thank you 🙂
I’ve been making so many different types of smoothies and lovely desserts that this would just be awesome to have
I love no bake desserts! This to me is a perfection!
I would love a vitamix to make delicious smoothies!
I need a Vitamix so I can make your Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream Cakes. 🙂 I’d also love to use it to experiment with different soups and breakfast smoothies.
Holy yumminess!!
Is it inappropriate to say I Love You? I have an egg and cane sugar allergy and am limiting grains so this is the rare treat I’ve been NEEDing. And my inherited vitamix burned up years ago….
Happy Birthday! That’s awesome to give the gift of giving on your birthday :o) I’ve always wanted a Vitamix. From seeing the hot soups, sauces, smooth smoothies, nut butters, and all of the other fabulous things a Vitamix can do it’s made me keep my eye on that little guy…lol For me, it would help me as I try to transition into a vegan lifestyle. For health reasons I need to cut out my beloved dairy (mainly cheese), increase my greens, and do things a little more veggie-friendly. I think a Vitamix would help me be more creative, save money, and get on the right track for my new healthy lifestyle. I could also make healthy meals and preparations for my family–AWESOMEEEEEE!!!
I would love a Vitamix! My sister has one and she raves about it. I have just began my weight loss journey and would to have it to make my smoothies every morning! That would be awesome.
Always wanted to have a good blender and I know vitamix is the best!!
I would love a Vitamix to make vegan desserts and milk for my son who has a dairy allergy.
Ohh my goodness this looks sooo amazing!!! And by the way your vitamix give away could not have come at a better time. This coming school semester I will be starting my college experience and with book and school expenses piling up, i had to give up on buying a new the vitamix blender i had been saving up for. Fingers crossed I am lucky enough to win this one so I will not have to give up on making my morning Green smoothies and raw desserts.
I NEED a Vitamix in my life! I’m a nanny and had the opportunity to use one at work. I can never go back to the blah blender I use at home. I’m sure I would make smoothies and soups, etc., but I’m dreaming of the after-hours perfect margarita I could make…I can almost taste it! *fingers crossed!
Hi Kayley! I’d love a Vitamix! I have an older Blendtec and wanted a Vitamix since the beginning of time! Love your blog and this recipe is amazing! Dee xx.
I’d love to win this Vitamix because it would make for much easier plant-based meal prep and blend up smoothies that are actually smooth. Thanks for the opportunity.
What an awesome giveaway (and delicious-looking dessert!). I would love a Vitamix to try making nut butters and nut milks, pureed soups, and homemade dressings. So many recipes now call for a high powered blender… I would love to be able to try them.
Vitamix sounds like the best blender on the market and I sure would love to have one! Thanks for the chance!
A powerhouse machine like this Vitamix would be great for everything from my morning smoothies, to ice cream, to soups and sauces. Thanks!
I am getting more into smoothies and cooking from scratch and I would love to have a Vitamix.
Easy question…because I can make smoothies with it!
I want a Vitamix because I like seeing my dreams come true. I have lusted for a Vitamix for months. Being able to throw berries and veggies and yogurt into a Vitamix and having a Smoothie in seconds would be wonderful!
A Vitamix would completely change our eating and lifestyle for the better in our home. With 3 kids who don’t like vegetables. It would make it easier to make delicious drinks and much more with vegetables that they wouldn’t know would be in there.
i have a whole pinterest board of vitamix recipes- but no vitamix!
These look amazing. I love the personal size portions also. I’ve heard that the Vitamix is the best of the best. Would love to try making my own cashew butter and almond milk.
for perfectly smooth smoothies and soups and my butters
These look amazing! Thanks for all of the inspiration for dessert recipes! I’d love to try a Vitamix blender!
I would love a vitamix because my son currently lives off of smoothies. He is so picky so the only way I get nutritious foods in him daily are with smoothies. I am also pregnant and love a good morning smoothie for breakfast! Crossing my fingers! Those cakes are making me so hungry!
I would make smoothie and acai bowls with the Vitamix!
OMG! These lookin seriously AMAZING!
These are gorgeous. Anything with hazelnuts is on my list.
Vitamix are the bomb! I love my parents and would love to add one to my kitchen.
I would make THESE in a Vitamix! Also homemade almond milk for my husband’s cereal each morning. I burned out our Hamilton Beach blender pretty quickly making almond milk….
I would love to make soups!
May I please have a Vitamix, pretty please with evaporated cane juice on top and a cherry? I will give it a happy home!
Love Vitamix!!! I love to make smoothies and soups.
This recipe looks amazing but there is no way my current blender would be able to make the filling. 🙁 I would love to have a Vitamix for this and countless other recipes (plus my morning smoothie!).
What a wonderfully delightful cake! I am a huge fan of chocolate and hazelnuts too so I can imagine this would be a hit at my home!
These cakes are stunning, and just the dessert for a celebration!
You had me at nutella! These are adorable and look so delicious!
Haha, that’s all it takes, huh! Thanks Eden! xo
You can stop asking now – the meaning of life has been found! Haha seriously though, these look like the most outrageously delicious dessert I’ve ever seen! Can’t wait to try them!
I didn’t see an ingredient list or instructions for the icing. Did I miss something?
These look SO good!
They look so good but what a pity that they contain a lot of coconut oil and canned coconut milk. Both have a lot of saturated fats 🙁
Kayley, these are amazing, so beautiful and delicious! Can’t wait to make them… And as always, I love, love your photography and styling! <3
Hi Kayley,
Thinking of making the ice cream version for Christmas lunch, would be great for our hot Australian Christmas. I was wondering how long in advance you could make these?
Thanks Carol.
Hi Carol,
You could make these several weeks in advance if they were wrapped well for freezer storage =)