Heavenly Chipped Chocolate and Hazelnut Cheesecake
Heavenly Chipped Chocolate and Hazelnut Cheesecake delivers a luxurious blend of creamy cheesecake, crunchy toasted hazelnuts, and luscious chocolate chips. Perfectly balancing sweet and nutty flavors with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture, this dessert is ideal for celebrations or everyday indulgence. It’s easy to make yet impressive enough to serve guests, with versatile options for customization.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free crust is used)
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or heavy cream
- 1 cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- Prepare the Crust: Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and mix with melted butter and sugar. Press firmly into the base of a springform pan. Refrigerate to set while preparing the filling.
- Toast the Hazelnuts: Spread hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let cool, then roughly chop.
- Mix the Cheesecake Batter: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract and sour cream or heavy cream. Gently fold in toasted hazelnuts and chocolate chips to distribute evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter over the chilled crust, smoothing the top. Place the springform pan in a water bath to prevent cracking. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for about 55-70 minutes until the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature. Then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to develop the perfect texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to avoid lumps and create a smooth batter.
- Baking in a water bath helps maintain moisture and prevents cracks on the cheesecake surface.
- Gently fold in nuts and chocolate chips to preserve their texture and keep the batter airy.
- Cool the cheesecake slowly by leaving the oven door slightly open for 30 minutes after baking before refrigerating.
- Use fresh toasted hazelnuts and high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cheesecake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: cheesecake, chocolate chips, hazelnuts, dessert, creamy, nutty, baked cheesecake, easy cheesecake, gluten-free option