Easy Chocolate Cheesecake With Hazelnut Crust: 4 Steps To Deliciousness
Written by Bhavana Verma | October 9, 2025
Who doesn’t like cheesecake? It is like the ultimate comfort treat that you can never say no to. Cheesecake is what you would call a sweet lover's dream. With its sweet flavor, you get to enjoy the contrasting tart notes coming from the cream cheese. Everyone gets head over heels when they hear that cheesecake is on the menu. From parties to casual get togethers, cheesecake is just a wonderful delight that pairs up exceptionally well with any occasion.
Cheesecake comes in many different variations. The subtle flavor of cheesecake allows you to experiment with various flavor combinations and introduce as many exotic ingredients as you want to make the treat feel gourmet. As you dig your spoon into the cheesecake, you can feel how lusciously creamy this dessert is. At first glance, it becomes irresistible not to take a bite. Whether you have enjoyed cheesecake before or it's just your first time, the flavor and texture will never fail to delight you.
What Makes This Chocolate Cheesecake With Hazelnut Crust So Delicious?
Cream cheese becomes the base of cheesecake, which tastes immensely good with both sweet and savory ingredients. When you mix it with sweeteners, whipped cream, fruits, and chocolate, cream cheese, it turns into something truly special. You get a smooth, slightly tangy, and just sweet enough treat that comforts you with every spoonful and leaves you wanting more. Every bite will make you crave more and after trying it once, you will never forget its sensation and will always look forward to trying it again and again.
Among all the flavors you can pair up with cheesecake, the most common and beloved flavor is certainly chocolate. The addition of chocolate to sweet treats is praised by many across the world. And cheesecake is no different. When dark chocolate is added with cream cheese, the flavors of tangy cream cheese and deep cocoa mingle and create a contrasting depth that soothes your palate and leaves a lingering sensation. There’s no denying that chocolate can pair perfectly with any dessert. With cheesecake, chocolate offers a creamy dimension and gets a platform to highlight its irresistible dark flavor in the best way possible.
This recipe combines the pleasure of chocolate cheesecake with a hazelnut crust that adds a nutty dimension to the recipe. With the base made of crushed hazelnuts, every bite feels wholesome and satisfying. The creaminess gets a crunchy feel, and altogether this dessert becomes the ultimate pleasure, offering you the taste of heaven in every spoonful.
Easy Step-By-Step Recipe For Chocolate Cheesecake With Hazelnut Crust:
Ingredients
For the Hazelnut Crust:
- 1 cup (100g) toasted hazelnuts, finely chopped or ground
- ¾ cup (90g) graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp (70g) unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
For the Chocolate Cheesecake Filling:
- 500g (2 blocks) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 200g dark or semi-sweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
- ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs, room temp
- ½ cup (120ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Method:
Step 1: Make the Hazelnut Crust
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, mix crushed or coarsely ground hazelnuts with cracker crumbs, sugar, a pinch of salt, and melted butter in a bowl. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper or butter paper cut to the accurate size and press this mixture onto the bottom of the pan. Bake the crust for 8–10 minutes. Once baked, let cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
Take a large mixing bowl and beat the cream cheese with sugar until it becomes smooth and fluffy. It takes about 2-3 minutes. Once fluffy, add eggs one at a time and mix after each addition at low speed. Now stir in cocoa powder, melted chocolate, sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well and pour this mixture over the cooled crust. Smoothen the top with a spatula.
Step 3: Bake the Cheesecake
Bake the cheesecake for 50–60 minutes at 325°F (160°C). See if the edges are starting to set. Once the edges are set and the center appears jiggly, it means the cheesecake is done. Turn off the oven and open the door slightly to let the air out and let the cheesecake rest inside for 30 minutes before taking out. Cool the cheesecake at room temperature and then chill in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight. After chilling, slice and serve.
Tips For A Perfect Chocolate Cheesecake With Hazelnut Crust:
- Always start with room temperature cream cheese for a smooth batter. Hard and frozen cream cheese is difficult to blend.
- Use a springform pan lined with parchment for easy release. Butter paper also works. If you don’t have paper, grease the pan well with butter.
- Bake in a water bath for extra silky texture and moisture.
- Garnish with hazelnut crumbs and chocolate shavings.