Basque cheesecake is the ultimate festive treat. Super quick to make, its high-heat baking creates a caramelized, almost burnt top that contrasts beautifully with the creamy custardy centre. Made with 6 simple ingredients, the zesty mandarins add a citrusy perfume and the rustic, wrinkled edges add a lovely texture to the bite.
Serve it with tart strawberries macerated in mandarin juice and a splash of maple syrup for an extra layer of fresh fruit crunch. Effortless and indulgent, this cheesecake is pure heaven and a show-stopping centre piece for Christmas celebrations.
As iron heats up more than a springform pan, you’ll cook this at a lower temperature for the first 35 minutes then turn up the heat for the final caramelisation.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45mins
Serves: 8
INGREDIENTS
500g cream cheese
133g caster sugar
200g whipping cream
20g plain or all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla bean extract or paste
3 large eggs, lightly whisked
Zest of 2 mandarins
Strawberries
Mandarin juice
A splash of Maple Syrup.
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Line your Lil’ Legacy Pan with two large sheets of scrunched baking paper sprayed with oil then pressed in an X shape into the pan. You want to make sure there is an even frill of paper around the top and edges. And press down hard. You don’t want the mix oozing between the paper.
Beat the cream cheese and sugar together for 2 minutes until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour with half of the cream until smooth. Slowly whisk in the remaining cream.
At low speed, slowly pour the cream mixture into the cream cheese. Mix just until combined. Then slowly add the eggs and vanilla while still mixing on low. Don’t over mix.
Pour the mix into the prepared pan.
Bake for 35 minutes and then turn oven up to 200°C and cook for a further 10 minutes until the top is a vry deep golden brown. The centre will still wobble and the cake will rise high.
Let it cool in the pan on the counter for 2 hours. Then pop the pan in the fridge uncovered for at least 8 hours.
Remove the cheesecake from the pan using the paper. Fold the paper down and let it sit for 30 minutes at room temperature or serve chilled.
Serve with strawberries sliced and macerated in mandarin juice.
