Hazelnut Vanilla Cheesecake

5 from 2 votes

Hazelnut Vanilla Cheesecake

Hazelnut praline paste added to this creamy and smooth cheesecake compliments the vanilla perfectly. You can buy commercial praline paste or make it from scratch.

Course: Dessert

Servings:

Calories: 508kcal

Author: Sally Humeniuk

Ingredients

For the Hazelnut crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup hazelnuts, skinned and toasted
½ cup confectioners' sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened, cut into ½-inch chunks

For the Hazelnut Vanilla Filling:

1 ½ pounds 3- 8-ounce packages Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup praline paste, homemade* or store bought
¾ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs
Homemade whipped cream for serving, if desired
*recipe for praline paste - http://gooddinnermom.com/praline-paste/

Instructions

Make the crust:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9x3-inch spring-form pan. Cut an 18-inch square of heavy-duty aluminum foil and wrap the foil around the outside of the pan.
Place 1 cup flour, ¾ cup hazelnuts, ½ cup confectioners' sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon baking powder in the bowl of a food processor and process until the hazelnuts are finely ground. Add ½ cup butter pieces and process until the dough begins to come together. Press the dough into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 25 to 30 minutes, until it is just beginning to brown.

Make the filling:

In a medium mixing bowl, beat 1 ½ pounds cream cheese at medium speed until creamy and lump-free, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Gradually add 1 cup sugar and beat until blended. Add ½ cup praline paste and mix at low speed until well blended and no lumps remain. Add ¾ cup heavy cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and mix just until combined. Add 4 eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Scrape the batter into the cooled crust. Place the pan in a roasting pan or large baking pan. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan. Bake the cheesecake in the water bath for 60 to 70 minutes, until the center of the case is set but slightly wobbly (the cake will set completely as it cools).
Remove the cake pan from the water and immediately run the tip of a paring knife around the sides of the pan to prevent the top from cracking. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool the cake completely.
Refrigerate overnight before serving.
To serve, slice the cake with a thin-bladed sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between each cut.
Serve with whipped cream and/or extra praline paste formed into a disk on top.
Store in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for up to 5 days.

Nutrition