Praline Cheesecake With Hazelnut Crust

Serves: 4

Luisa Champlin

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

54

Spice

54

Sweetness

56

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

4

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 tbsps

Sugar

1 cup

Sour Cream

Directions:

1

For Praline: Lightly butter cookie sheet

2

Stir chopped hazelnuts, corn syrup and brown sugar in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves

3

Increase heat and boil mixture until candy thermometer registers 300°F

4

, tilting pan if necessary to submerge end of thermometer, about 10 minutes

5

Pour praline mixture onto prepared cookie sheet

6

Let cool

7

Break praline into 1-inch pieces

8

Grind finely in food processor

9

(Praline can be prepared up to 1 week ahead

10

Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate

11

) Lightly butter cookie sheet

12

Stir chopped hazelnuts, corn syrup and brown sugar in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves

13

Increase heat and boil mixture until candy thermometer registers 300°F

14

, tilting pan if necessary to submerge end of thermometer, about 10 minutes

15

Pour praline mixture onto prepared cookie sheet

16

Let cool

17

Break praline into 1-inch pieces

18

Grind finely in food processor

19

(Praline can be prepared up to 1 week ahead

20

Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate

21

) For Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F

22

Lightly butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides

23

Finely grind graham crackers, hazelnuts and brown sugar in processor

24

Add butter and Frangelico and process until crumbs are evenly moistened

25

Press crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan

26

Bake 10 minutes

27

Cool on rack

28

Maintain oven temperature

29

Preheat oven to 350°F

30

Lightly butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides

31

Finely grind graham crackers, hazelnuts and brown sugar in processor

32

Add butter and Frangelico and process until crumbs are evenly moistened

33

Press crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan

34

Bake 10 minutes

35

Cool on rack

36

Maintain oven temperature

37

For Filling: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy

38

Add yolks 1 at a time, beating after each addition until just blended

39

Add sour cream, flour, Frangelico and vanilla and beat just until mixture is smooth

40

Stir in ground praline

41

Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form

42

Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry

43

Fold egg whites into cream cheese mixture in two additions

44

Pour filling into prepared crust

45

Bake cake until center is just set, about 50 minutes

46

Turn off oven and leave cake in oven 40 minutes longer

47

Transfer cheesecake to rack and cool to room temperature

48

Cut around pan sides with small sharp knife to loosen cheesecake

49

Cover and refrigerate overnight

50

Release pan sides

51

Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar to firm peaks

52

Transfer to pastry bag fitted with medium star tip

53

Pipe rosettes of cream decoratively around edge of cake

54

Arrange 1 hazelnut atop each rosette

55

Dust top of cheesecake with cocoa powder

56

(Can be prepared 4 hours ahead; refrigerate

57

) Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy

58

Add yolks 1 at a time, beating after each addition until just blended

59

Add sour cream, flour, Frangelico and vanilla and beat just until mixture is smooth

60

Stir in ground praline

61

Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form

62

Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry

63

Fold egg whites into cream cheese mixture in two additions

64

Pour filling into prepared crust

65

Bake cake until center is just set, about 50 minutes

66

Turn off oven and leave cake in oven 40 minutes longer

67

Transfer cheesecake to rack and cool to room temperature

68

Cut around pan sides with small sharp knife to loosen cheesecake

69

Cover and refrigerate overnight

70

Release pan sides

71

Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar to firm peaks

72

Transfer to pastry bag fitted with medium star tip

73

Pipe rosettes of cream decoratively around edge of cake

74

Arrange 1 hazelnut atop each rosette

75

Dust top of cheesecake with cocoa powder

76

(Can be prepared 4 hours ahead; refrigerate)