Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cheesecake
The Components
• The Crust: Deep chocolate and buttery.
• The Filling: Creamy, rich, and spiked with hazelnut spread.
• The Topping: Smooth dark chocolate ganache and toasted hazelnuts.
Ingredients
Crust
2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (or crushed Oreos), 6 tbsp melted butter, pinch of salt.
Filling
24 oz cream cheese (room temp), 1 cup sugar, 1 cup Nutella (or hazelnut spread), 3 large eggs, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp cocoa powder.
Ganache
1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 oz dark chocolate (chopped).
Garnish
1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts (halved), 2 tbsp cacao nibs or crushed chocolate.
Instructions
1. Prep the Crust
• Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
• Mix the chocolate crumbs and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let it cool completely.
2. Make the Filling
• Lower oven to 150°C (300°F).
• Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth (don't over-airate).
• Mix in the Nutella, cocoa powder, vanilla, and heavy cream.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed just until combined.
• Pour the batter over the cooled crust.
3. The Bake
• Wrap the bottom of the pan in foil and place in a larger roasting pan filled with 1 inch of hot water (a water bath ensures that smooth, crack-free top).
• Bake for 60–70 minutes until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle.
• Crucial Step: Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let it cool inside for 1 hour. Then, refrigerate for at least 6 hours (preferably overnight).
4. The Finish
• Ganache: Heat the heavy cream until simmering, pour over chopped chocolate, let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until glossy.
• Pour the ganache over the chilled cheesecake.
• Arrange the toasted hazelnuts and cacao nibs in a ring around the edge as seen in the photo.
Pro Tips for that "Professional" Look
• Toast your hazelnuts: Put them in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant; it makes a world of difference in flavor.
• The Clean Slice: To get that perfect slice shown in the photo, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe it clean between every single cut.
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