The Creamiest Basque Cheesecake Recipe for Dessert Lovers

Magic happens when traditional baking techniques collide with rustic, imperfect charm in this Basque cheesecake.

Creamy textures dance alongside caramelized edges that craft an ordinary dessert into something extraordinary.

The recipe celebrates delightful culinary imperfections with its intentionally cracked, burnished surface.

Silky smooth interiors contrast beautifully against deeply bronzed exterior walls, creating a sensory experience that feels both elegant and relaxed.

Professional pastry techniques merge with home kitchen accessibility, making this dessert approachable for passionate bakers of all skill levels.

Rich, decadent flavors emerge from simple ingredients carefully combined with precision and love.

You’ll fall in love with its unpretentious beauty and melt-in-your-mouth consistency.

Signature Elements of Basque Cheesecake

• Rustic Charm Perfection: Embrace the stunning burnt top and rustic appearance that makes this Basque cheesecake uniquely beautiful, breaking away from traditional perfectly smooth cheesecake designs.
• Silky Smooth Texture Delight: Experience a dreamy, ultra-creamy interior that melts in your mouth with its incredibly light and soft custard-like consistency, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: Enjoy a sophisticated dessert that requires minimal technical skills, with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing method, perfect for home bakers of all levels who want an impressive yet uncomplicated treat.
• Versatile Serving Sensation: Savor this cheesecake chilled or at room temperature, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert for dinner parties, casual gatherings, or a decadent personal indulgence that adapts to any occasion.

Ingredients List for Burnt Basque Cheesecake

• Cream Cheese: Soft, full-fat variety provides rich and creamy texture for the classic Basque cheesecake.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious smoothness and helps create the signature silky consistency.

• Eggs: Essential for structure and creating a custardy, soft interior of the cheesecake.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize the batter and provides a subtle structure to the cake.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake and contributes to its caramelized exterior.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor that complements the cream cheese.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

Easy Basque Cheesecake Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm the oven to 400F (200C). Generously butter a 9-inch springform pan. Create a parchment paper fortress by lining the pan with two layers that stretch 2 inches above the rim.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and sugar using a mixer until silky smooth. Add eggs one by one on low speed. Splash in vanilla extract and blend thoroughly.

Step 3: Incorporate Liquid Magic

Gently pour heavy cream into the mixture while mixing. Softly sift flour and salt into the batter. Fold ingredients delicately to maintain a luxurious texture.

Step 4: Bake Until Beautifully Burnt

Transfer batter to the prepared pan. Smooth the surface with a spatula. Slide into the preheated oven. Bake for 60-65 minutes until the top looks dramatically dark and the center wiggles slightly when nudged.

Step 5: Cool And Serve

Let the cheesecake rest at room temperature for one hour. Carefully remove from the pan. Slice into elegant wedges. For optimal texture, chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving.

Tips for Creamy, Charred Cheesecake

• Crush Ingredients Smoothly: Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to ensure a silky, lump-free batter that blends perfectly.
• Protect Pan Edges: Crinkle and butter the parchment paper to create a rustic, uneven border that helps the cake rise dramatically and develop its signature burnt top.
• Check Doneness Precisely: Look for a deep golden-brown surface with dark edges and a slight wobble in the center, indicating the perfect Basque cheesecake texture.
• Rest and Chill Strategically: Let the cheesecake cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate to help it set and develop a more intense, creamy flavor.
• Slice with Clean Technique: Use a hot, clean knife wiped between each cut to achieve neat, smooth slices that showcase the cake's beautiful, rustic interior.

Store and Reheat Basque Cheesecake Properly

Store in Refrigerator: Wrap the cooled cheesecake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect from absorbing other food odors. Keep refrigerated for up to 4-5 days.

Freeze for Later: Cut the cheesecake into individual slices, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months for maximum flavor and texture preservation.

Reheat Gently: Thaw frozen slices in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore the creamy texture and optimal taste.

What to Pair with Basque Cheesecake

• Pair with Sweet Spanish Sherry: Indulge in a glass of Pedro Ximénez sherry, whose rich, velvety caramel notes beautifully complement the cake's burnt exterior and creamy center.
• Serve with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Spanish Rioja red wine, whose fruity undertones and slight tannins cut through the cheesecake's dense richness.
• Accompany with Fresh Berries: Add a side of macerated strawberries or raspberries, providing a tart, bright contrast to the cake's deep, caramelized flavor profile.
• Match with Strong Espresso: Finish the dessert experience with a classic Spanish cortado or espresso, whose intense coffee notes enhance the cheesecake's deep, complex textures.

Adaptations of the Basque Style

• Chocolate Caramel Crunch: Swirl rich caramel sauce into the batter and sprinkle crushed dark chocolate-covered toffee bits on top before baking for an indulgent upgrade.
• Citrus Zest Burst: Fold in lemon and orange zest into the mixture, then garnish with candied citrus peels for a bright, tangy flavor profile that cuts through the creamy richness.
• Berry Marbled Magic: Gently swirl raspberry or blueberry compote through the batter before baking, creating beautiful color streaks and adding a fruity layer of complexity to the classic cheesecake.
• Espresso Chocolate Chip: Mix finely ground espresso powder into the batter and fold in mini dark chocolate chips for a sophisticated coffee-chocolate experience that elevates the traditional Basque cheesecake.

Basque Cheesecake Recipe

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4.5 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy Basque cheesecake delivers pure indulgence with its rustic burnt edges and silky center. Originating from Spain, this dessert promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that will leave you craving another delightful slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 ¾ cups (420 grams) heavy cream

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (33 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare the baking vessel by generously coating the interior of a 9-inch springform pan with butter, then carefully construct a parchment paper lining that towers above the pan’s rim, creating rustic, pleated edges.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, transform cream cheese and granulated sugar into a silky, luxurious mixture using an electric mixer, working at a gentle pace to prevent incorporating excess air.
3. Introduce eggs individually into the creamy base, blending each thoroughly before adding the next, then infuse the batter with aromatic vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
4. Gradually incorporate heavy cream into the mixture, maintaining a low mixer speed to ensure a smooth, velvety consistency without curdling.
5. Delicately sift flour and salt over the liquid ingredients, folding with a light touch to integrate dry components without deflating the airy batter.
6. Transfer the billowing batter into the parchment-lined pan, using a spatula to create an even surface that promises a dramatic, burnished top.
7. Position the cheesecake in a preheated 400F (200C) oven, allowing it to transform for 60-65 minutes until the surface achieves a deep, caramelized bronze while maintaining a subtle tremor at its center.
8. Remove from the oven and permit the cake to rest at room temperature for approximately one hour, allowing it to settle and develop its signature rustic appearance.
9. Carefully release from the springform pan, peeling back the parchment paper edges, and slice into wedges that showcase the cake’s dramatic, intentionally imperfect texture.
10. For optimal enjoyment, chill for a few hours to help the cheesecake set and intensify its complex flavors before serving.

Notes

• Cooling brings out the cheesecake’s rustic charm, creating a stunning cracked top that screams delicious imperfection.
• Baking transforms the pale batter into a caramelized masterpiece with a dramatically burnt exterior and creamy, soft center.
• Mixing ingredients gently ensures a silky-smooth texture that melts in your mouth, capturing the essence of traditional Basque style.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 65 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Basque

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 33g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 150mg