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If you love the idea of a Nutella Cheesecake but want something quicker, lighter, and just as satisfying, this Nutella Parfait is your new go to treat. It gives you that rich chocolate hazelnut creaminess without feeling heavy, and it comes together in minutes.
Each glass layers a velvety Nutella and cream cheese mixture with soft cookie crumbs for a dessert that tastes luxurious yet stays surprisingly light. No baking, no fuss, and no waiting around. Just spoon, swirl, and enjoy.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
This Nutella Parfait takes everything people love about a classic nutella cheesecake and makes it faster, lighter, and easier to enjoy any day of the week. The method keeps the texture incredibly smooth, and the cream cheese adds just the right amount of tang to balance the sweetness.
You also get that satisfying layered look without any complicated steps. The mix of Nutella and cream cheese sets up beautifully in the glass, and the soft cookie crumbs add a little contrast that feels playful and indulgent. It is the kind of nutella parfait recipe that looks fancy but comes together in under fifteen minutes.
What Goes Into Nutella Parfait
This Nutella Parfait uses a simple no bake cheesecake base and soft cookie crumbs to create rich layers without any complicated steps.
- Reduced Fat Cream Cheese: Gives the parfait its creamy cheesecake structure with a light tang.
- Greek Yogurt: Lightens the mixture and helps it blend into a smooth, spoonable cream.
- Nutella: Delivers the signature chocolate hazelnut flavor that defines this Nutella parfait recipe.
- Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies: Baked as individual cookies so they crumble easily into soft, textured layers.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Nutella Parfait
- Bake: Prepare cookies according to your recipe and let them cool, or use ready made chocolate chip cookies if you prefer a quicker option. Make sure they are fully cooled so they crumble cleanly.
- Mix the Dairy Base: Combine the softened cream cheese and yogurt in a bowl and stir until completely smooth. Take your time here to remove any lumps before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Add the Nutella: Spoon in the Nutella, sugar, and cocoa powder, pressing the powder gently as you mix. Continue stirring until the cocoa dissolves and the mixture becomes silky and well combined.
- Beat Until Smooth: Use a handheld mixer on low to medium speed to finish blending the mixture. This ensures the Nutella cheesecake filling becomes light, creamy, and lump free.
- Make Fudge: Warm Nutella in the microwave for about thirty seconds, then stir until glossy. Whisk in the milk to create a pourable fudge consistency.
- Use the Stovetop Option: If you prefer, melt the Nutella gently over a pot of simmering water. Whisk until smooth, being careful not to let any water drip into the bowl.
- Crush the Cookies: Break the cookies by hand for chunkier pieces or pulse them in a small blender for a finer crumble. Divide the crushed cookies evenly among your parfait glasses.
- Assemble: Add a spoonful of cheesecake mixture, drizzle with fudge, and give it a light swirl. Repeat the layering, finishing with the remaining cookie pieces and a final drizzle of sauce, then serve.
This Nutella Parfait pairs beautifully with something warm or lightly spiced to balance its cool creamy layers. A slice of Maple Glazed Apple Fritter Donut Holes adds a sweet apple note that plays well with the chocolate hazelnut flavor. If you want something cozy, Churro Lava Cakes bring a soft cinnamon warmth that contrasts the chilled parfait in the best way.
For a lighter finish to a dessert spread, Strawberries and Cream Tiramisu Parfait sits perfectly beside it. The bright berry flavors and soft cream layers make a lovely counterpoint to the richer Nutella and cream cheese base, giving you a pairing that feels elegant without being overwhelming.
Tips For Making Nutella Parfait
- For the smoothest filling, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. Cold cream cheese creates lumps that are hard to remove later.
- If the cocoa powder sits on top, press it gently into the mixture with the back of a spoon before stirring so it blends without dusting everywhere.
- Chill the parfaits for ten to fifteen minutes if you want cleaner layers. The filling firms up slightly and holds its shape better.
Recipe FAQ’s
Absolutely. Regular cream cheese makes the mixture even richer and creamier. The recipe still sets well either way.
Yes. Graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or even brownie crumbs work well. Choose something that gives you a soft crumb and complements the Nutella flavor.
Use a small spoon or piping bag to add the cheesecake mixture to each layer. It helps keep the sides neat and gives you that pretty swirl effect.
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No Bake Nutella Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Parfait
Ingredients
Cheesecake:
- 8 oz tub reduced fat cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 3/4 cup fat free Greek yogurt or any plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup Nutella or Hazelnut Cacao Spread for a healthier alternative
- 1-2 tablespoons caster/powdered sugar or sugar of choice: adjust to your tastes
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 pound Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cookie dough made into 12 big round cookies (1 tablespoon full of cookie dough per cookie on a lined baking sheet following recipe instructions) instead of one whole slab (*See Notes)
Nutella Fudge:
- 1/4 cup Nutella (extra)
- 3 tablespoons milk of choice
Instructions
For The Cookies:
- Prepare cookies in advance (they take 10 minutes to bake while making your cream cheese mixture); or use any other chocolate chip cookies of your choice.
For The Parfaits:
- Combine together the cream cheese and yogurt; mix until smooth. Add the Nutella, sugar and cocoa powder. Slowly mix while pressing the powder down with your metal spoon until the cocoa powder had dissolved into the cream cheese mixture. Beat until all ingredients have combined and the mixture is smooth and lump free. Alternatively, beat with a hand held beater on low-medium speed until smooth.
For the Nutella Fudge Sauce:
- Heat the Nutella in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds, remove and mix. Add the milk (3 tablespoons first), and whisk well until smooth and thin in consistency (like a Hot Fudge Sauce). Add extra milk only if needed.
- Alternatively, place in a heatproof dish over a pot of boiling water and whisk until smooth and heated through (be careful not to get any water in the Nutella, or it will seize).
To Build Parfaits:
- Break 6 cookies up by hand for a chunkier base; or pulse them in a magic bullet small cup (or small blender) or a food processor if you prefer a finer cookie base.
- Divide the cookies amongst the parfait glasses. Add 2 tablespoons of cookie crumbles or chunks into the base of each glass. Layer with the cheesecake mixture (about 2 tablespoons) over the cookies; drizzle with a small amount of Nutella Fudge Sauce; swirl the sauce with the back of a metal knife; pour in another tablespoon of cheesecake mixture. Top with remaining cookie pieces and drizzle with extra sauce.
- Serve!
Notes
*1 cookie was used per parfait as they are big when made into rounds, leaving left over cookies! You can use more if you wish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Nutella + Cheesecake + Chocolate Chip Cookies + Nutella Fudge. Lower in fat, calories and Weight Watchers Points than the usual Nutella Cheesecake! Super indulgent; rich and creamy. All in one glass and ready in under 15 minutes![/caption]” />
When calculating nutrition facts did you base it off of using actual Nutella or the hazelnut cacao spread ?
I calculated this using normal Nutella spread 🙂
What a decadent looking dessert! Yum 🙂