Hazelnut Cheesecake

Here is a delicious recipe for a hazelnut cheesecake. This variation incorporates the rich flavor of hazelnuts, perfect for lovers of this nut.

Ingredients

For the base:

• 200 g of cocoa biscuits (like Oreo cookies without filling)
• 100 g of melted butter

For the cream:

• 500 g of cream cheese like Philadelphia
• 120 g of sugar
• 200 ml of fresh cream
• 150 g of hazelnut chocolate (like Nutella)
• 3 medium eggs
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence
• A pinch of salt
• 50 g of toasted and chopped hazelnuts

For the decoration:

• Toasted whole hazelnuts as needed
• Grated dark chocolate or chocolate shavings as needed

Preparation

1. Start with preparing the base: crush the biscuits in a food processor until you have a sandy consistency. Add the melted butter and mix until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
2. Press the biscuit mixture onto the bottom of a springform pan (preferably lined with parchment paper) creating an even and compact base. Put the pan in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
3. For the cream, in a large bowl, work the cream cheese with sugar until creamy and lump-free.
4. Add the fresh cream and continue stirring, then incorporate the melted hazelnut chocolate (previously melted in a double boiler or microwave) until you achieve a homogeneous mixture.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
6. Add the vanilla, a pinch of salt, and the chopped hazelnuts, stirring gently to distribute the ingredients.
7. Pour the cream over the cooled biscuit base and level the surface.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 160 °C for about 60-70 minutes or until the cheesecake is almost completely firm in the center but still slightly wobbly.
9. Allow the cheesecake to cool gradually in the turned-off oven with the door ajar to prevent it from collapsing.
10. Once cooled, place the cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

For the decoration, just before serving, arrange the toasted hazelnuts on the surface and dust with grated dark chocolate or chocolate shavings.

Curiosity

Hazelnut cheesecake is a delicious variation of the classic cheesecake and combines the creaminess of the cheese with the intense taste of hazelnuts. Remember that the texture of the cheesecake improves after a rest period in the fridge and the flavor of the hazelnuts will be further intensified, making it even more delicious!