How to Make Irresistible Nutella Cheesecake Tart with Graham Cracker Crust

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what happens when you combine the creamy magic of cheesecake with the chocolate-hazelnut goodness of Nutella? Get ready to discover a dessert that will make your taste buds do a happy dance! This Nutella Cheesecake Tart is about to become your new favorite treat. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, a family dinner, or just want to treat yourself on a Tuesday, this dessert brings pure joy to every bite. The best part? You don’t need to be a fancy chef to make it. If you can stir, pour, and wait (the hardest part!), you can create this amazing dessert.

What Makes This Nutella Cheesecake Tart Special?

This Nutella Cheesecake Tart is like the superhero of desserts. It combines three delicious layers into one amazing treat. First, you get a crunchy graham cracker crust that tastes like sweet cookies. Then comes a smooth, creamy Nutella cheesecake filling that melts in your mouth. Finally, you can top it with even more Nutella, whipped cream, or hazelnuts for extra wow factor.

Time Requirement:

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Baking time: 35-40 minutes
• Cooling time: 4-6 hours (or overnight)
• Total time: About 5-7 hours

Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium

Don’t let the time scare you! Most of it is just waiting for the tart to chill. The actual work is super simple. If you can make a peanut butter sandwich, you can make this tart. It’s perfect for beginners who want to impress their friends and family.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about what goes into this magical dessert. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the perfect Nutella Cheesecake Tart.

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10-12 crackers)
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Pinch of salt

Graham crackers make the perfect crust because they’re slightly sweet and easy to crush. You can buy pre-made crumbs or crush whole crackers in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. If you can’t find graham crackers, digestive biscuits or vanilla wafer cookies work great too!

For the Nutella Cheesecake Filling:

• 16 ounces cream cheese (two 8-ounce packages), softened
• ¾ cup Nutella
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup heavy cream or sour cream

The cream cheese needs to be soft, like butter you can easily spread. Leave it out on the counter for about an hour before starting. Nutella is the star of the show, giving your cheesecake that amazing chocolate-hazelnut flavor. The eggs help everything stick together, and the vanilla makes it smell wonderful.

Substitutions and Variations:

• Can’t eat gluten? Use gluten-free graham crackers or crushed gluten-free cookies
• Want less sugar? Reduce the sugar by 2-3 tablespoons
• No heavy cream? Sour cream adds a nice tangy flavor
• Don’t like Nutella? Try cookie butter, peanut butter, or any chocolate spread you love

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now let’s make this delicious Nutella Cheesecake Tart together! Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have an amazing dessert.

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Take a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and spray it lightly with cooking spray. You can also use a springform pan if that’s what you have. The removable bottom makes it super easy to take out your tart later.

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and a tiny pinch of salt. Stir everything until it looks like wet sand. The mixture should stick together when you squeeze it in your hand.

Pour the crumb mixture into your prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to press the crumbs firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Make sure it’s packed tight so your crust doesn’t fall apart later. Pop it in the fridge while you make the filling.

Cooking Tip: Press the crust really well! If it’s loose, it will crumble when you cut the tart.

Step 3: Make the Nutella Filling

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until it’s smooth and fluffy. No lumps allowed! Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

Add the Nutella and sugar, then beat again until everything is mixed together beautifully. The mixture should look smooth and chocolatey.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Then add the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Mix everything until it’s completely smooth. Don’t overmix after adding the eggs, or your cheesecake might crack.

Preparation Tip: Room temperature ingredients mix better! Cold cream cheese makes lumpy filling.

Step 4: Bake the Tart

Pour the Nutella filling into your prepared crust. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to get rid of air bubbles.

Bake in your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. The edges should look set, but the center should still jiggle just a little bit when you shake the pan gently. It’s like chocolate pudding in the middle—that’s perfect! It will firm up as it cools.

Let the tart cool in the pan on a wire rack for about an hour. Then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight is even better.

Cooking Tip: Don’t overbake! A slightly wobbly center is what you want. Overbaking makes dry, cracked cheesecake.

Building Your Beautiful Tart

Once your Nutella Cheesecake Tart is completely chilled and set, it’s time to make it look amazing!

Removing from the Pan:

If you used a tart pan with a removable bottom, place the pan on top of a can or sturdy glass. Gently push down on the outer ring, and it will slide down. Slide a thin spatula under the crust to move it to your serving plate.

Decoration Ideas:

The beauty of this tart is that it’s gorgeous even without fancy decorations. But if you want to make it extra special, here are some fun ideas:

• Drizzle warm Nutella on top in a swirly pattern
• Pipe whipped cream rosettes around the edge
• Sprinkle chopped toasted hazelnuts on top
• Dust with cocoa powder using a small strainer
• Add fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries
• Place whole hazelnuts around the border
• Create a chocolate ganache topping for extra richness

Presentation Tips:

• Use a warm, dry knife to cut clean slices (dip it in hot water and wipe dry between cuts)
• Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream
• Add a mint leaf for a pop of color
• Dust the serving plates with cocoa powder for a restaurant look
• Serve with a small glass of cold milk or coffee

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

One of the best things about this Nutella Cheesecake Tart is that it actually tastes better the next day! The flavors have time to blend together, and the texture becomes perfectly creamy.

Storing Your Tart:

• Keep the tart covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
• Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover it
• Don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours
• The crust stays crispy if you store it properly

Freezing Instructions:

Yes, you can freeze this tart! Here’s how:

1. Let the tart cool completely
2. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil
3. Freeze for up to 2 months
4. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving
5. Add toppings after thawing for the best look

Make-Ahead Magic:

This tart is perfect for making ahead! In fact, you should make it at least one day before you want to serve it. Here’s a timeline:

• 2-3 days before: Make the entire tart and store it in the fridge
• 1 day before: Add any toppings or decorations
• Day of serving: Take it out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture

Reheating:

Actually, you don’t want to reheat this tart! It’s meant to be served chilled. The cold, creamy texture is what makes it so delicious.

Creative Recipe Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic Nutella Cheesecake Tart, try these fun twists!

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Tart: Replace the Nutella with creamy peanut butter. Add some mini peanut butter cups on top for extra peanut butter power!

White Chocolate Raspberry Tart: Use white chocolate spread instead of Nutella and swirl in raspberry jam before baking. Top with fresh raspberries.

Cookie Butter Delight: Swap Nutella for cookie butter (like Biscoff spread). Use crushed speculoos cookies for the crust instead of graham crackers.

Oreo Nutella Tart: Make the crust with crushed Oreo cookies instead of graham crackers. Keep the Nutella filling and top with more crushed Oreos.

Chocolate Hazelnut Heaven: Add ½ cup of chopped toasted hazelnuts to the filling. Sprinkle more hazelnuts on top and drizzle with chocolate ganache.

Mini Nutella Tarts: Use a muffin tin to make individual tarts. Press the crust into each cup and reduce baking time to 20-25 minutes. Perfect for parties!

Salted Caramel Nutella: Add a layer of salted caramel between the crust and filling. Drizzle more caramel on top before serving.

S’mores Nutella Tart: Toast mini marshmallows on top using a kitchen torch. Add graham cracker pieces around the edge for a s’mores vibe.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know how to make an absolutely irresistible Nutella Cheesecake Tart with Graham Cracker Crust. This dessert proves that amazing food doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create something that looks fancy and tastes incredible.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings, try the variations, and make this recipe your own. Maybe you’ll discover that you love extra Nutella drizzle, or perhaps fresh berries are your favorite addition. The best part about cooking is making it exactly how you like it.

Remember, the secret to a perfect tart is patience. Let it chill completely, use room temperature ingredients, and don’t overbake. Follow these simple rules, and you’ll have a dessert that makes everyone ask for seconds (and the recipe!).

So grab your ingredients, turn on some music, and get baking. Your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and your taste buds are in for a real treat. Whether you’re making this for a special occasion or just because it’s Thursday and you deserve something sweet, this Nutella Cheesecake Tart will not disappoint.

Happy baking, and enjoy every single delicious bite of your homemade masterpiece!