Basque Cheesecake
Authentic Spanish burnt cheesecake with a caramelized top and creamy custard center. No crust, gluten-free, and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 900 g full-fat cream cheese
- 300 g granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs 200g without shells
- 450 ml heavy cream 36% fat
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a 9-inch springform pan with crumpled parchment.
- Mix: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar, then eggs (one at a time). Stir in cream, vanilla, and salt.
- Bake: Pour into pan. Bake 45-50 minutes until top is deeply caramelized but center jiggles.
- Cool: Let rest in turned-off oven 15 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool completely (2 hours).
- Serve: Slice with a hot knife. Pair with Txakoli wine or espresso.
Notes
Ingredient Flexibility
Cream Cheese Alternatives:- Quescrem (authentic Basque brand) for tangier flavor
- Mascarpone (50/50 blend with cream cheese) for silkier texture
- Dairy-free: Blend cashew cream + coconut cream (add 1 tbsp arrowroot for stability)
- Muscovado: Adds molasses depth (reduce to 250g to avoid overpowering)
- Coconut sugar: Lighter caramelization (expect a darker top)
Troubleshooting Guide
| Issue | Solution | Prevention Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Grainy Batter | ▶︎ Pass batter through a sieve ▶︎ Microwave cold cream cheese in 10-sec bursts until pliable | ✓ All ingredients at 65°F (18°C) ✓ Mix by hand, not stand mixer |
| Overcooked Center | ▶︎ Insert a baking sheet on the rack below ▶︎ Reduce temp to 400°F (205°C) after 30 mins | ✓ Use an oven thermometer ✓ Avoid opening oven door |
| Pale Top | ▶︎ Broil 2 mins at 500°F (260°C) ▶︎ Brush with 1 tsp honey before baking | ✓ Use light-colored pans ✓ Position oven rack upper third |
Cultural Serving Tips
- Authentic Pairing: Serve with Txakoli (slightly effervescent Basque wine) to cut richness.
- Spanish Breakfast: Locals enjoy leftovers with café con leche – reheat slices lightly.
- Japanese Twist: Top with matcha powder + adzuki beans (popular in Osaka cafés).
Leftover Reinventions
- Cheesecake Toast: Pan-fry slices in butter, serve with fig jam.
- Ice Cream Base: Blend chunks into vanilla ice cream pre-churning.
- Savory Appetizer: Layer with smoked salmon on rye crackers.