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Paleo Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Cookies

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Magic happens when Son comes in at midnight and we get to talking. Like Paleo Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Cookies kind of magic.

That’s because as he’s sharing his latest adventures, he inevitably wants a treat. Ideally, a homemade treat from Mom.

But it’s sometimes hard for me to do enough baking to keep up with his treat appetite when he returns home. Even living in a city with many gluten-free, dairy-free options, he does not often get to indulge in worthy baked goods. When he came in late “scouring the cupboards” and “rummaging around in the fridge,” there were no treats to be found as he’d already eaten all that I’d made for him earlier.

Gluten-Free Paleo Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Cookies Gluten Free Easily

Then Son decided that he specifically wanted cookies and I thought he’d enjoy my Paleo Disappearing Mounds Cookies. However, I quickly discovered that I did not have quite enough almond butter.

Then doing my own rummaging around in the fridge I spied hazelnut flour and I thought, I bet that will work as a substitute. And it did. Oh so well!

Like I said, magic happens. And life in general needs more magic.

I’m going to be perfectly honest here. Because of the hazelnut factor, I rate these cookies slightly above my Paleo Disappearing Mounds Cookies even though they are only a very slight variation to that recipe.

And the Paleo Disappearing Mounds Cookies were a very slight variation of Flourless Chocolate (Cocoa) Cookies. One really good cookie recipe always leads to another!

You might even want to make these Paleo Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Cookies the day before you want to eat them because the chocolate and hazelnut combo really comes together nicely after sitting overnight. Plus, the chewiness factor is almost off the charts the next day and, admittedly, I love that part!

I know that all the peanut butter lovers will ask if peanut butter can be substituted for the almond butter and those of you who don’t have hazelnut flour on hand will ask about subbing almond flour. The answer is yes, of course, you can substitute for both, and the results will be good, but a peanut butter version will not be paleo and more importantly either change will mean that the cookies will taste different from the magical ones I made that night.

I know because I’ve made this recipe since using both substitutions and they’re good but you don’t get that divine flavor combo of chocolate and hazelnut and when made with peanut butter the cookies do not spread as much as the almond butter version, resulting in smaller and denser cookies.

However, I will add that on the latter version Mr. GFE did not complain. In fact I was gone all day after I baked the peanut butter version and returned home to find that he had consumed all but four cookies. Mr. GFE is not usually a big sweet eater so that was quite a compliment!

I guess that in the end, everyone’s definition of magic might be just a little bit different. Note that the cookies shown in the photos are the peanut butter version (made with hazelnut flour)—the same ones that Mr. GFE enjoyed. I snapped some photos before I headed out the door that day.

Paleo Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Cookies Recipe

Gluten-Free Paleo Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Cookies GFE

I believe that magical cookies should be served on a doily whenever possible.

Yield: About 16 cookies

Paleo Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Cookies

The ever appealing combination of chocolate and hazelnut with the sweet chewiness of coconut in one magical cookie! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]

The ever appealing combination of chocolate and hazelnut with the sweet chewiness of coconut in one magical cookie!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Inactive Time 10 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup almond butter (see notes)
  • ½ cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup coconut sugar (or light brown sugar, packed; not paleo)
  • 2 tbsp raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
  • ½ cup hazelnut flour (almond flour can be substituted; see notes)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together well. I use a wooden spoon to mix my cookies, breaking the yolk of the egg with the spoon right inside the mixing bowl and slightly beating it before stirring in the other ingredients. Mix well.
  3. Form dough into 1-inch balls.
  4. Places balls on ungreased baking sheets about 1 ½ to 2 inches apart. Press down/flatten cookies slightly with fingers.
  5. Bake about 8 minutes. Cookies will look set, but not done.
  6. Remove baking sheet from oven and allow cookies to sit for another 5 to 10 minutes. (This step is very important because cookies finish baking during this time and totally set up.)
  7. Remove cookies for cooling.

Notes

Makes up to 16 cookies (2 to 2 ½ inches in diameter).

Homemade almond butter with allowed sweetener---or no sweetener---ensures this recipe is truly paleo.

Peanut butter or Sunbutter will work in place of almond butter, but will slightly change the overall flavor of these cookies. In my opinion, Sunbutter has a much stronger flavor than nut butter or peanut butter, so you might wish to add a bit more raw cacao powder or cocoa powder when you use that option.

The use of Sunbutter will take away from the more delicate chocolate hazelnut flavor combo. Peanut butter will do the same and the cookies will not spread as much. Plus substituting peanut butter means the cookies will not be paleo.

Almond flour can be substituted for the hazelnut flour but, of course, you’ll miss out on the famous chocolate hazelnut flavor combo. Only use a finely ground almond flour like Honeyville (or make your own).

I don’t recommend Bob’s Red Mill; the results will not be the same as mine.Using unsweetened shredded coconut makes for a mildly sweet cookie. Using sweetened shredded coconut makes for a much sweeter cookie and, of course, results in a non-paleo version.

For a more decadent version of this cookie, feel free to add a small amount chocolate chips to your recipe. I’d recommend Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips or another brand that fits your dietary requirements.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

© Shirley Braden
Category: Desserts
Originally published January 13, 2015; updated March 12, 2021.

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Comments

    • Shirley says

      Hi J’Marinde–It’s great to see you here again. 🙂 And that’s pure serendipity on receiving that gift, right? 😉 I will add that I’m not sure how much of a difference there is between the hazelnut meal you received and the hazelnut flour I used from Nuts.com and how it will affect this recipe. Typically meal is coarser than flour, so I hope that using it still produces some great cookies. Please let us know!

      Thanks,
      Shirley

      Reply

      • J'Marinde says

        Will let you know once I get back to baking. I am currently going through a lot of dental work, so I am focusing on very soft foods for now, but baking is my Zen, so hopefully very soon . . .

        Be well and be good to you! (Everyone!)

        Reply

  3. Linda says

    These look divine, Shirley! Now I have to put hazelnut flour on my shopping list. I’ve never used it before, but as you said, I’m sure it’s not quite as good with almond flour.

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Thanks so much, Linda. The wonderful thing about hazelnut flour is that historically I’ve only needed to use a small amount to get the lovely hazelnut factor. That makes even a small bag last a good while. I get mine from Nuts.com (affiliate link). If you can pick up hazelnut flour at the store though, that’s awesome! 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

  4. Kassia says

    These look soo good! Hazelnut and chocolate is always an amazing combination! I think I have everything on hand to make them, too!

    Reply

  5. Vicky says

    These look delicious and so simple to make! I’m familiar with late night conversations and the rummagings in cupboards hehe! I’ve often wondered why do my children come into our house and immediately open the fridge door, you’d think they would have learned by now that they are only going to find vegetables!

    Did you make these at midnight?

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Vicky–Haha on the latter! Yes, mostly savory ingredients in my fridge, too. But sometimes the late night food requests for Son do involve those items. 😉 And it’s clear that you do know exactly what I’m talking about and, yes, these cookies were made slightly after midnight. 🙂 I cherish those times!

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

      • Vicky says

        I also cherish those moments, we’ve got to make the most of them , too precious! I’ve also made cookies at midnight! Too funny! Your post made me laugh x

        Reply

    • Shirley says

      Thanks so very much, Kalyn! I’m honored by your OMG. 🙂 I know that I can’t wait to make these again in the not too distant future! 😉

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Shirley says

      Megan–Hehe on “lucky duck” Son. He knows it though! I think you’ll love baking with hazelnuts. Thanks so much for the sharing, dear! It’s truly appreciated!

      xoxo,
      Shirley

      Reply

  10. Sheena says

    Are you saying you made cookies for your son at midnight? That’s some supermom stuff going on right there, I’m so impressed!

    They sound delectable, I’ll need to wait a few years to experiment with some of the nut flours, my youngest (10) who has Celiac also is allergic to tree nuts, though strangely not almonds so I have experimented just a little with almond flour but would like to try more with it this year.

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Sheena–Yes, don’t most moms do that? 😉 Son and I are both late night souls so it wasn’t a major sacrifice and was actually fun, but thanks for the supermom kudos! That is interesting about your youngest not having issues with almonds. It’s nice to find out you have more choices. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply

  12. [email protected] says

    These look delicious! My husband is gluten free and low fodmap and is craving sweets. I’ll have to make the modifications you mentioned (peanut butter, almond flour) until I get the good stuff but he won’t care! He’ll be so glad to have something sweet. Thanks!

    Reply

      • [email protected] says

        I made these but had to use peanut butter and almond flour – that’s what I had on hand. My husband was SO happy! They were a wonderful treat but not too sweet (I used unsweetened coconut). He has IBS and is following a low FODMAP diet so he hasn’t had many sweet treats lately. These were so easy to make and delicious. I’ll definitely be making them again. Thank you.

        Reply

        • Shirley says

          Yay, Patty! I’m so glad that the version you made was a big hit with your husband! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your review with us all. 🙂

          Shirley

          Reply

    • Shirley says

      Haha, Arman! If they’re not there waiting, I’ll make them for you because you know that cookies hot out of the oven have that special cachet! 😉

      Shirley

      Reply

  14. Raia says

    Oh my, these are beautiful! I’ve never heard of baking with hazelnut flour before, but the Nutella-ish sound of these cooking is very tempting… 😉

    Thanks for sharing them at Savoring Saturdays, Shirley!

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hey Jillian–Good to see you here at gfe again. 🙂 Thanks for the compliment and the invitation. I’m not really linking up to parties right now, but when I’m back in that mode, I’ll certainly check out your corn-free link party.

      Thanks again,
      Shirley

      Reply

  16. vegetarianmamma (Cindy) says

    Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays Party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share next time!
    -Cindy

    Reply

  17. Sophie says

    I know that almond butter in cookies & cakes works! I created a few!

    I made your delicious cookies & loved every bite! So tasty too!

    I wish you a Happy, Fun & Culinary 2015!!! xxx

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Sophie–It’s lovely to see you again, dear. 🙂 Yes, almond butter is a magical ingredient in baking. So glad you loved these cookies. Thanks so much for sharing your review with us all.

      Wishing you all the best for 2015, too! xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hey Audrey–I have to agree with you, dear! 🙂 I’m out of hazelnut flour (or hazelnuts) so I can’t make these right now, but I was thinking about them this evening. 😉 Thanks so much for sharing!

      Shirley

      Reply

  20. Kennon says

    They look yummy
    I got to get back up to see y’all
    I can be a son too !

    My heart goes out to you Shirley!
    Hugs to Smokey too

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hey Kennon–Thanks so much on all. Please come back any time, of course. You can definitely stand in for son and enjoy cookies made late at night, which is not actually that late when it comes to you. We’ll try to take better care of you on your next visit.

      xo,
      Shirley

      Reply

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