Description
Made with a toasted hazelnut crust and a simple, light and creamy chocolate hazelnut filling, this tart is unbelievably delicious. The perfect make-ahead dessert for all occasions!
Ingredients
Scale
For Hazelnut Crust
- 16 whole graham crackers (about 2 cups crushed)
- 1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 TBSP sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
For Chocolate Hazelnut Filling
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup Pan di Stelle Hazelnut Cream Spread
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 TBSP granulated sugar
Instructions
For Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place chopped hazelnuts on a large skillet over low heat for 3-4 minutes to lightly toast.
- Combine graham crackers, hazelnuts, sugar and salt in a food processor, pulsing until well combined and no large pieces of graham crackers or nuts remain.
- Add melted butter and pulse to combine. Be sure all crumbs are evenly coated in butter.
- Transfer crust into a 9 inch tart pan, using your hands to press it evenly on the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
- Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crust firmly into the pan.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant.
- Remove from oven and set aside to cool while you make the filling.
For Chocolate Hazelnut Filling
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cream cheese, hazelnut spread, unsweetened cocoa powder and confectioner’s sugar on medium speed until light and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, espresso powder and vanilla. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes while the espresso powder dissolves.
- Next, beat the heavy cream and espresso mixture low speed for 1 minute.
- The mixture should begin to froth.
- Increase the speed to medium high and add the granulated sugar. Mix just until firm peaks form.
- Gently fold one third of the whipped cream mixture into the hazelnut cream cheese mixture and combine fully.
- Then add the remaining whipped cream and fold until completely combined and mixture is fluffy and smooth.
- Spread the chocolate hazelnut mixture into the into the cooled tart shell and smooth evenly with an offset spatula.
- Chill three hours and serve cold or at room temperature.