Hazelnut Cheesecake Parfaits Recipes

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Spray a 10-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place all but 6 of the chocolate cookies in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse the cookies in the food processor until finely ground.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground cookies and melted butter and mix to combine. Spread the crushed cookie mixture into the bottom of the prepared springform pan, using the bottom of a metal measuring cup to press into an even layer. Freeze for 30 minutes.
• In a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until softened, about 1 minute. Add the chocolate hazelnut spread and confectioners' sugar and mix on medium-high speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping using a rubber spatula. Transfer to the springform pan. Use a spatula to smooth the mixture in the pan. Top with the chopped hazelnuts. Break 3 of the reserved cookies and press them into the center of the cake, cut-side down, in a starburst shape. Break the remaining cookies into chunks and sprinkle them over the cake. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours or up to overnight. Unclasp and remove the side of the pan, then cut the cake with a knife dipped in hot water and serve.

FRANGELICO (HAZELNUT) CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place oven rack in the middle of the oven.
• Toast the hazelnuts: Lay hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and toast at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned and skins are beginning to crack. Wrap in a towl and let steam for 1 minute. Rub hazelnuts in the towel to remove some of the skins. Grind coarsely and let cool. Keep the oven at 350.
• Make the crust: Combine all crust ingredients except the butter in a food processor until well mixed. Cut the butter into cubes and incorporate into other ingredients for about 1 minute. Press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan (I use bottom of flat glass). Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
• Make the cheesecake: Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees and place a pan half-filled with water in the bottom rack. Melt the chocolate and set aside. (Tip: if melting in the microwave, heat in intervals of 30 seconds and stir. Should take no more than 1 minute on high). On low speed, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly mix in the sugar, flour and frangelico. Keep scraping down the sides of the bowl. One at a time, beat in the eggs on low speed.
• Take 1/2 cup of the cheesecake batter and mix it with the chocolate.
• Pour cheesecake batter into pan. The chocolate mixture can either be placed in a bag for piping or dropped by spoonfuls into the batter and swirled for a marbled effect.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Decrease oven temperature and bake at 225 degrees for about 1 hour. Towards the end of the baking time, check for doneness. Move the cheesecake pan slightly -- if the edges are set and the center is still wobbly the cheesecake is done. Turn the oven off and prop the door open with an oven mitt. Let cool inside the oven for at least an hour. Let cool on a counter until the pan is cool. Place in the refrigerator uncovered to chill and set. The cheesecake must be chilled for at least 24 hours.

CARAMEL-HAZELNUT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Wrap foil tightly around outside of 9-inch-diameter springform pan. Blend hazelnuts and sugar in food processor until nuts are finely ground. Add melted butter; blend until moist clumps form. Press nut mixture onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan.
• For filling:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Pour filling over crust. Bake until cheesecake puffs and is set around sides but center still moves slightly when pan is gently shaken, about 50 minutes. Transfer cheesecake to rack. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Cool cake completely. Remove foil from pan. Cover with plastic and chill overnight.
• For caramel sauce:
• Stir sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat; add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Boil sauce until reduced to 2 cups, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool. Spoon 1/2 cup caramel sauce evenly over top of cheesecake, leaving 1/2-inch border around edge. Arrange additional hazelnuts decoratively around outside edge of cake. Cover and refrigerate cheesecake until topping sets, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep cheesecake refrigerated. Cover and refrigerate remaining sauce.) Release pan sides from cheesecake. Transfer cake to platter. Rewarm remaining sauce just until pourable but not warm. Slice cheesecake. Serve, passing sauce separately.

EASY NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons heavy cream and 5 tablespoons sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and the lemon juice and zest. Beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
• Whisk together the remaining 1 cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and the sour cream in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer (or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment) on high speed until soft peaks form.
• Add a layer of crushed graham crackers to the bottom of each parfait glass. Top the graham crackers with a layer of the cheesecake, then a layer of fruit (see Cook's Note). Top each parfait with a dollop of the whipped cream and serve.