Cooking Light’s Triple Hazelnut Cheesecake

This is probably my all-time favorite Cooking Light dessert. I love it because it always gets raves and no one ever believes me when I tell them it is low fat. All that, plus it’s crack free! The one I made for tonight is in the refrigerator and I haven’t yet put the finishing touches on it, so below is a picture of one I made for Valentine’s Day. Recipe follows.

A few notes: I always use Oreos for the crust — usually about 10 Oreos and a little extra oil (like half tablespoon). I also used packaged, pre-chopped hazelnuts. If you’re in a hurry, you can cheat on the toasting and “toast” them in the microwave. Just microwave them for about 2 minutes, stopping to stir occassionally, then let them cool. It really improves the taste.

Print Recipe

Cooking Light's Triple Hazelnut Cheesecake

For the hazelnut spread, I recommend Nutella.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 10 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12

Author: Cookie Madness

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts -- toasted and divided
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 15 chocolate wafers
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
• 1 tablespoon hot water
• 1 container fat-free cottage cheese -- 16-ounce
• 1 block fat-free cream cheese -- 8-ounce, softened
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup hazelnut-chocolate spread
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Frangelico
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs -- lightly beaten

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Place 1/4 cup hazelnuts, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and chocolate wafers in a food processor; process until finely ground. Add oil; process until crumbs are moist. Firmly press crumb mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray. Wrap outside of pan with a double layer of aluminum foil.
• Combine instant coffee granules and 1 tablespoon hot water in a small bowl. Place cheeses in food processor; process until smooth. Add coffee mixture, cocoa, and next 6 ingredients (cocoa through salt); process until well blended. Add eggs; process until smooth. Pour mixture into pan.
• Place pan in a large baking pan; add hot water to baking pan to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until cheesecake center barely moves when pan is touched.
• Remove cheesecake from oven; run a knife around outside edge. Cool to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.
• Remove cheesecake from springform pan; sprinkle with 1/4 cup hazelnuts.