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What sort of gifts make you really excited nowadays?
I have to be honest — the older I get, the less excited I get about gifts that include more “stuff”.
Ten years ago, things were different. I was graduating college with basically a laptop and a car and a twin bed comforter to my name. So Christmases and birthdays were very exciting occasions to when basic necessities like cookware and a desk lamp and a power tools set (often used, thankyouverymuch) would come into my life.
But nowadays? The basic necessities have (gratefully) been all covered. And I have actually been intentionally downsizing ever since selling my house a few years ago. So when it comes to gift giving, my family has been simplifying there as well and trying to focus more on building traditions and spending time together rather than exchanging more “stuff”, which is awesome.
Still, I have parents who are some of the most generous, selfless, giving people I know. And they have learned over the years that the one gift I never refuse is help around the house. Ooooooh, I love me some help around the house. When I actually owned a house-house, they would graciously drive 3 hours to Kansas City for long weekends of extensive yardwork (my least favorite part of homeownership) and usually (re)painting some random room in the house. But now that I’m living the downtown loft life, there are no gardens to weed or walls to paint. So instead, they pretty regularly come up and offer my new favorite gift: help in the kitchen.
Which. Is. Awesome.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that one of my hand-down, drives-me-nuts, least favorite parts of being single is having ZERO help in the kitchen with dishes. I can happily cook all day long. But dishes are the bane of my food blogging existence. I. Loathe. Doing. Dishes.
But when my parents come to town, guess where my dad goes first? OH yeah. To the sink. To do all the dishes.
And guess what?
Once he finishes the first round of dishes and we’ve gone through another set of pots and pans, he (willingly!) comes back to do more dishes. And more. And more. And more.
And in between doing loads of dishes, he willingly tackles whatever other random household to-do (or most often, to-fix) lists I may have written. Or make grocery runs when I forgot an ingredient. Or pick up lunch for us. Or have us listen to one of his favorite TED talks while we work. Or even organize the cabinets that hold those dreaded dishes.
And all of this he does without a single complaint.
One of the many reasons why I love him. :)
Most of the time when my parents come to town for a cooking day or two, Dad leaves the sous-chef-ing to the best cook in the family, my talented Mom. But last week when they were here, I was craving cheesecake. Specifically Nutella cheesecake. And it just so happens that cheesecake is one of Dad’s specialties in the kitchen.
He’ll be the first to tell you that he’s not much of a cook. As in, the number of things his cooking repertoire could probably fit on one hand. But a few years ago, he learned how to make a raspberry white chocolate cheesecake for Valentine’s Day. And he has been making it now once or twice a year ever since.
So I decided to stick a Nutella cheesecake on his “to-do” list last week. And sure enough, he whipped up the perfect cheesecake in no time…
…but he left it to his food styling daughter to decorate it. I might have gotten a little carried away. :)
But in my defense, it was the end of August! And when faced with the impending doom end of strawberry season, one must make every effort to eat All The Strawberries Available. So I chopped them into quarters and layered then on top of the cheesecake (it’s actually easier than it looks), and then drizzled the heck out of them with some extra Nutella.
The result? Let’s just say that it tastes even better than it looks.
DELISH.
And while I wouldn’t go so far as to say this is a healthy cheesecake — what with lots of Nutella in there plus a classic Oreo crust — it is made with my favorite light cream cheese and Greek yogurt filling recipe. No heavy cream in sight. So you can at least enjoy each slice knowing that you’re eating a little less fat than usual cheesecake. And strawberries are healthy, right?
Ok, ok, it’s definitely an indulgence, but one that I’d say is worth every bite.
So big thanks to Dad for being the cheesecake chef of the day, and for just generally be the awesome and helpful and thoughtful and loving guy that he is. And since I know that he reads my blog every day, I know that he’ll read me saying…
I love you, Dad!
(Oh, and happy anniversary to you and Mom today! For once in my life, I remembered.) :)
A delicious Nutella cheesecake is made with an Oreo crust and topped with a beautiful strawberry-Nutella topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Ingredients:
2 cups crumbled Oreos (*see note below)
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 cup of granulated sugar
3 (8-ounce) bricks low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (I recommend using full-fat or 2% fat Greek yogurt)
3/4 cup Nutella
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
Topping Ingredients:
2 pints of fresh strawberries (approximately)
1/3 cup Nutella, slightly heated
Instructions
To Make The Cheesecake:
Preheat oven to 350°F, and grease a 9-inch springform pan. Whisk crumbled Oreos and butter together in a medium bowl until combined. Press firmly onto bottom of the pan (or up the sides, if desired). Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool. Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees F.
Once the pan reaches room temperature, carefully wrap the outside of the pan in 2 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil, being sure that there are NO gaps where water could seep through. Place the pan in a large roasting dish (or any pan larger than the springform), and bring a tea kettle or pot of water to boil in preparation for the water bath. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese on medium speed for 3 minutes until smooth. Add the remaining 1 cup sugar and beat for an additional minute until well blended. Add Greek yogurt, 3/4 cup Nutella and vanilla extract, and beat for an additional minute, stopping partway to scrape the bottom of the bowl with a spatula. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. (Do not overbeat!) Pour into crust.
Place the double pans in the oven on a shelf on the bottom third of the oven. Very carefully use a tea kettle (or large measuring cup) to pour the boiling water in the larger pan to form a water bath around the springform, so that it comes up about 1-inch around the springform.
Close the oven door, and bake about 1 hour 30 min, or until center is almost set. (The cake should still jiggle ever so slightly.) Turn oven off, and open oven door slightly. Let cheesecake set in oven 1 hour. Then remove cheesecake from oven, carefully run a knife around the edges of the cake, and then let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
Remove springform rim. If your cake is not very flat on top, you can use a knife to level it off before adding the strawberry topping if desired, or you can leave it as is. Add toppings as directed below. Then store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator in a covered container.
To Make The Topping:
Hull the strawberries, then quarter them lengthwise. Beginning in the center of the circle, place the strawberries in a circle pattern. Then add more in concentric rings until you reach the outside of the cheesecake.
Heat the Nutella just slightly in a microwave or double boiler until it has softened. Then use a fork or a piping bag to drizzle it across the strawberries.
Notes
*I crumbled the entire Oreos, filling included. We used about 1.5 sleeves of cookies, but be sure to measure the 2 cups after they are crumbled.
Definitely worth every bite!!!! PS. Happy belated bday. I’m SO SORRY I missed it (we’re losing track of time over here.) I hope you had a beautiful day, and I <3 that pic of you and your dad too!
This is one amazing cheesecake! I will be dreaming of this cake all day long.
Danielle —
I was just thinking the same thing, Summer! I will be day dreaming and thinking about this cheesecake all day too! My goodness, does this look beautiful and delicious! My mouth is watering looking at the pictures! And the ingredients and recipe looks pretty darn easy and very doable for anyone. Love it! Making this for sure. Thanks, Ali!
This looks off the charts, Ali! I can never have enough Nutella! I’m with you – no more “stuff”. I have way too much. Whenever I want to give something to someone, I always make it a consumable (homemade caramel sauce, jam, etc.). Then I know people will use it and it won’t just sit around collecting dust!
Your parents are awesome for doing all of that for you! Love your dad’s cheesecake, too. And you added just the right amount of finesse to make it perfect :)
This looks amazing!! I love the strawberries on top – they don’t just look pretty but I’m sure it compliments the chocolate too!
ps. love the pic of you and your dad!
I love that your dad shows love to you by participating in something so important to you:) The cheesecake he made looks gorgeous and your photos are absolutely perfect!
Sometimes I am embarrassed to count my blessings, because Mom and I have more than our share. None are more precious than the lifetime of blessings that you and Sarah have shared with us. We love you more than you will ever know.
When I read through the recipe I found no listing for sugar in the ingredients, although it is mentioned in the instructions. Personally, I would probably like this cheesecake without any sugar. In case anybody is interested at least two of the food blogs I read regularly have recipes for a healthier Nutella. I would probably use one of those for making this recipe, which sounds delicious.
Hi Susan! Oh no — I had a typo and just fixed it. Thanks for alerting me! The recipe actually has 1 cup of sugar, which I included just now in the ingredients. :)
Ali, every time I see your recipes and your photography I just leave feeling inspired! You seriously are so talented, and that sous chef of yours (aka dad) has to be so proud of his little girl!
Love this cheesecake because I mean who doesn’t love cheesecake add in the nutella and call it night! The photos just jump off the screen! Fork in hand ready to eat! YUM!
What a great recipe to celebrate the end of summer with lots of our favorites, especially strawberries!!! Gotta say I also love the animation of your drizzling….cudos to you for capturing the perfect essence of the activity and beauty of the design. Yum! (PS…I’ve always been a daddy’s gal too!)
I feel the same way about gifting these days – I don’t have space for “stuff”. That’s why I turn to food to share with friends instead – LIKE CHEESECAKE!! Gorgeous, girl!
That is the CUTEST pic of you and your dad. My mom and dad are my biggest cheerleaders too, and my dad does ALL of my weeding. Why are dads so great? Just love ’em. But seriously, how in the heck did you get all of those strawberries to look so absolutely synchronized? Talent. You have it in spades.
This cheesecake is amazing Ali! Definitely craving a slice right now.. you can never go wrong with nutella and strawberries. Love the gif and gorgeous photo of you and your dad. Great post!
You are soooo right about stuff and how what you desire in your life shifts. For me it’s help in my garden. I am ever ever ever so grateful. This cheesecake is truly gorgeous. The flavor combo of course is totally delicious. But your presentation is what makes it extremely special. For sure a triple WOW.
I have so many good things to say about this post, first – GORGEOUS cheesecake … Mmmm … seriously, it looks like it’s out of a magazine and I’m sure it tastes 100 % better.
Also, I’m still at that stage in my life where birthday and Christmas are super exciting. Being just married, I find that even though I’ve accumulated a lot of baking ” stuff” I truly lack practical things … like tools to even do any sort of fixing around the house — it’s both exciting and eye opening.
And, your family sounds like a dream — very very sweet!!
Pretty sure this is most perfect looking cheesecake I’ve ever seen! For real. So beautiful. And obviously you can’t go wrong with nutella and strawberries….
Hi Ali! Made two of these this morning. One for us, and one to bring to a Sunday gathering later today. They came out perfect perfect perfect! I even painstakingly decorated the strawberries just like your photos, and drizzled with salted caramel sauce too, cuz thats all i had on hand. Ran out of nutella. But it was still pretty and yummy looking nonetheless. What a lovely, easy, beautiful, and most importantly delicious dessert. Bravo!!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. When my daughter saw this on my Pinterest page, she told me “I have to have this cheesecake in my life”. I made it for her this weekend and she loved it. I decorated mine a little different. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/408912841142389508/
I have made this cheesecake 3x already. The first 2x I didn’t even get to taste it since it was for my daughter to share with friends & coworkers. She raved so much about it that I made it a third time just so I could have a slice. It comes out picture perfect every single time.
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
We’re so happy to hear that, thank you for sharing! : )
Love the cheesecake, the man who made it, and the talented daughter who added the strawberries and drizzle on top!
Stunning!! And you don’t even need to slice me a piece, I’ll just take a fork and the whole cake!
Definitely worth every bite!!!! PS. Happy belated bday. I’m SO SORRY I missed it (we’re losing track of time over here.) I hope you had a beautiful day, and I <3 that pic of you and your dad too!
This is one amazing cheesecake! I will be dreaming of this cake all day long.
I was just thinking the same thing, Summer! I will be day dreaming and thinking about this cheesecake all day too! My goodness, does this look beautiful and delicious! My mouth is watering looking at the pictures! And the ingredients and recipe looks pretty darn easy and very doable for anyone. Love it! Making this for sure. Thanks, Ali!
Oops! Sorry Sommer! Not Summer! Typo! ; )
Love this flavour!! So yummy!
Um, can I get a slice to go, please?! And how fun to make a cake with your DAD! LOVE!
SO GORGEOUS!!
Wow, this looks downright amazing! Love that you and your Dad baked together!
This looks off the charts, Ali! I can never have enough Nutella! I’m with you – no more “stuff”. I have way too much. Whenever I want to give something to someone, I always make it a consumable (homemade caramel sauce, jam, etc.). Then I know people will use it and it won’t just sit around collecting dust!
Always looking for a good greek yogurt based cheesecake and this looks perfect!
Your parents are awesome for doing all of that for you! Love your dad’s cheesecake, too. And you added just the right amount of finesse to make it perfect :)
This looks A.Maz.Ing. Mouth watering.
awww! the part about dad was absolutely heartwarming! what fam is all about! now i have to try the dessert! xo
This looks amazing!! I love the strawberries on top – they don’t just look pretty but I’m sure it compliments the chocolate too!
ps. love the pic of you and your dad!
Such an amazing looking cheesecake!
Gorgeous cheesecake, Ali!
omg this looks absolutely incredible. And your dad sounds so awesome!!
I love that your dad shows love to you by participating in something so important to you:) The cheesecake he made looks gorgeous and your photos are absolutely perfect!
Sometimes I am embarrassed to count my blessings, because Mom and I have more than our share. None are more precious than the lifetime of blessings that you and Sarah have shared with us. We love you more than you will ever know.
When I read through the recipe I found no listing for sugar in the ingredients, although it is mentioned in the instructions. Personally, I would probably like this cheesecake without any sugar. In case anybody is interested at least two of the food blogs I read regularly have recipes for a healthier Nutella. I would probably use one of those for making this recipe, which sounds delicious.
Your dad sounds like a real keeper! :-)
Hi Susan! Oh no — I had a typo and just fixed it. Thanks for alerting me! The recipe actually has 1 cup of sugar, which I included just now in the ingredients. :)
Such a gorgeous cheesecake!
Ali, every time I see your recipes and your photography I just leave feeling inspired! You seriously are so talented, and that sous chef of yours (aka dad) has to be so proud of his little girl!
Love this cheesecake because I mean who doesn’t love cheesecake add in the nutella and call it night! The photos just jump off the screen! Fork in hand ready to eat! YUM!
This looks positively decadent! There’s nothing better than strawberries and nutella, it’s the perfect combination!
mmmmm, this looks wonderful! your dad could teach my dad a thing or two about cheesecake! ;)
That is so sweet of your dad! And your photos are beautiful, as always!
What a great recipe to celebrate the end of summer with lots of our favorites, especially strawberries!!! Gotta say I also love the animation of your drizzling….cudos to you for capturing the perfect essence of the activity and beauty of the design. Yum! (PS…I’ve always been a daddy’s gal too!)
Although this cheesecake sounds delish, I’ve got to say that your photography skillz are on point! These pics are absolutely stunning.
I feel the same way about gifting these days – I don’t have space for “stuff”. That’s why I turn to food to share with friends instead – LIKE CHEESECAKE!! Gorgeous, girl!
I can’t keep looking at these pretty photos for fear I might dive right into my computer screen. This cheesecake LOOKS AMAZING!!!!
That is the CUTEST pic of you and your dad. My mom and dad are my biggest cheerleaders too, and my dad does ALL of my weeding. Why are dads so great? Just love ’em. But seriously, how in the heck did you get all of those strawberries to look so absolutely synchronized? Talent. You have it in spades.
This cheesecake is amazing Ali! Definitely craving a slice right now.. you can never go wrong with nutella and strawberries. Love the gif and gorgeous photo of you and your dad. Great post!
This cheesecake looks gorgeous!
This looks amazing! It sounds like you have great parents!
You are soooo right about stuff and how what you desire in your life shifts. For me it’s help in my garden. I am ever ever ever so grateful. This cheesecake is truly gorgeous. The flavor combo of course is totally delicious. But your presentation is what makes it extremely special. For sure a triple WOW.
This has got to be one of the prettiest tarts ever. And talk about delicious!
That is the most gorgeous cheesecake! I wouldn’t want to cut into it. Thankfully it sounds too good not to.
I have so many good things to say about this post, first – GORGEOUS cheesecake … Mmmm … seriously, it looks like it’s out of a magazine and I’m sure it tastes 100 % better.
Also, I’m still at that stage in my life where birthday and Christmas are super exciting. Being just married, I find that even though I’ve accumulated a lot of baking ” stuff” I truly lack practical things … like tools to even do any sort of fixing around the house — it’s both exciting and eye opening.
And, your family sounds like a dream — very very sweet!!
Such a beautiful looking cake!!!
Amen to no dishes! Seriously. I love cooking but loathe washing dishes – especially in our shoebox kitchen.
This cheesecake looks STUNNING. Don’t know that I could make it that beautiful, but I’m definitely gonna try!
Pretty sure this is most perfect looking cheesecake I’ve ever seen! For real. So beautiful. And obviously you can’t go wrong with nutella and strawberries….
Strawberries and Nutella are so good together and this is a gorgeous dessert!
-Jamie
Hi Ali! Made two of these this morning. One for us, and one to bring to a Sunday gathering later today. They came out perfect perfect perfect! I even painstakingly decorated the strawberries just like your photos, and drizzled with salted caramel sauce too, cuz thats all i had on hand. Ran out of nutella. But it was still pretty and yummy looking nonetheless. What a lovely, easy, beautiful, and most importantly delicious dessert. Bravo!!
I’m obsessed with Nutella. I also can’t tear my eyes away from this PERFECTION. Holy moly, Ali, it looks incredible! Pinned!
The strawberry design is amazing!! I am making my famous NY cheesecake for Thanksgiving and cannot wait to decorate it like this!! :)
This strawberry cheese cake looks yummy and beautiful.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. When my daughter saw this on my Pinterest page, she told me “I have to have this cheesecake in my life”. I made it for her this weekend and she loved it. I decorated mine a little different. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/408912841142389508/
Do you know what the bake time would be if you used 4.5in springform instead of the 9in?
Sure, I would just bake them for about 25-33 minutes, until the centers seem set.
Can I get the recioe for your Dads white chocolate cheesecake recipe?
I have been looking for a good recipe for that for a while.
By the way, the cheesecake looks amazing, we have great strawberries right now.
I’ve been meaning to post his recipe for awhile! I’ll have to ask him to make another batch and we’ll be sure to share it here. :)
I have a question; I want to make this cheesecake today but he is for tomorrow.
When is best to put the strawberries on top?
Kind regards Marina
Hey Marina, I would wait until tomorrow (as close to serving as you can), to do the strawberries. Hope you enjoy! : )
I have made this cheesecake 3x already. The first 2x I didn’t even get to taste it since it was for my daughter to share with friends & coworkers. She raved so much about it that I made it a third time just so I could have a slice. It comes out picture perfect every single time.
We’re so happy to hear that, thank you for sharing! : )