Holiday

Judy Hesser’s Chocolate Crust (Minus Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers)

by:
November  3, 2023
5
2 Ratings
Judy Hesser’s Chocolate Crust (Minus Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers)
Photo by Amanda Hesser
  • Prep time 15 minutes
  • Cook time 5 minutes
  • Serves 12
Author Notes

In early 2023, Nabisco discontinued its Famous Chocolate Wafers, upsetting bakers everywhere. One such unhappy baker was my mom, Judy Hesser, who’s been using the chocolate wafers for decades to make her sour cream cheesecake.

After comparing the ingredient lists of the chocolate wafers to Nabisco Nilla Wafers, she realized they were very close in nature, so tried out the Nilla Wafers mixed with some cocoa and butter. The experiment paid off, and she created a chocolate crust worthy of the original. And, as Judy promised, she’s now sharing it with the community. —Amanda Hesser

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 40 Nabisco Nilla Wafers
  • 1/3 cup salted butter
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder (I like Ghirardelli 100% premium)
Directions
  1. Put the Nilla Wafers in a 1-gallon, zip-top bag, press out excess air and seal the bag. Using a rolling pin, crush the wafers to a very fine crumb. Make sure no wafer lumps remain or you’ll have a lumpy crust! You can also do this in a food processor if you prefer.
  2. In a small pan set over low heat, melt the butter. This can also be done in a bowl in the microwave. Cool slightly.
  3. Stir the cocoa powder into the melted butter to make a smooth sauce.
  4. Stir 1 1/4 cups of the fine wafer crumbs into the butter/cocoa sauce until all the crumbs are absorbed with the sauce and you have a sandy-textured mixture.
  5. Line the base of a 9” springform pan with parchment, then press the crust onto the bottom of the pan and up the sides about an inch.
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Amanda Hesser

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

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7 Reviews

jane100000@aol.com
[email protected] March 29, 2024
Famous wafers were such a useful thing to have. Starting with my mother's chocolate icebox sandwiches in the 1950's. Mmmmm. This recipe makes a good pie crust, but would not work for other recipes that used Famous wafers. Thanks to your mom for thinking up an alternative!
 
Marques
Marques December 25, 2023
Very clever — looking forward to trying it!

I really wish that we, as a community, might discourage the use of single-use plastic bags. It may seem small, but it all adds up.
 
Michelle C.
Michelle C. November 14, 2023
Clever lady 😊 I'm looking forward to trying with black cocoa powder!
 
Michconnors
Michconnors November 11, 2023
The first section about crushing the wafers should say that's a good way to get out your anger at the absolute imbecile that decided to discontinue the chocolate wafers.
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. November 11, 2023
Haha!
 
Patricia
Patricia November 11, 2023
Thanks so much. I can’t wait to try this!
Would Judy share her sour cream cheesecake recipe?
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. November 11, 2023
Yes! Here's the recipe: https://food52.com/recipes/89720-judy-hessers-sour-cream-cheesecake-new-chocolate-crust?utm_term=33300769&utm_campaign=33300769_11102023_pm_full_eds_AHnewsletter&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email