Recipe · Crispinator® Max
Basque cheesecake
Forget what you know about fussy cheesecakes. Baking hot and fast gives it a rustic cracked and caramelized top, contrasting with a dense, soft interior.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cream cheese, cut into 8 large pieces
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
You'll need
- 7” x 2” springform pan
- Aluminum foil
- Parchment paper
Method
- Insert the wire rack into the oven’s middle position and set to Bake at 400°F for 60 minutes. Let it preheat for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cheesecake: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave the cream cheese in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until it is softened and silky.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir gently to combine without incorporating too much air.
- Crumple a 16” x 16” sheet of aluminum foil into a loose ball, unfold it and repeat one more time. (This helps the foil mold to the baking pan.) Line a 7-inch springform pan with the foil, pressing it tightly into the bottom corner and up the sides.
- Repeat this crumpling and flattening with a 16” x 16” sheet of parchment paper. Place the parchment in the foil-lined pan, again pressing tightly to the curves of the pan.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan on the counter to pop any large bubbles.
- Place in the oven and bake, rotating halfway through, until the top of the cheesecake is deep golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. The cheesecake will be very jiggly with an internal temperature of about 120°F.
- Remove from oven and let cool for about 1 hour (the inside will continue to cook at first and firm up as it sits).
- Refrigerate uncovered until fully set, about 8 hours.
- Release the cheesecake from the pan and remove the base, foil, and parchment paper.
- Cut the cheesecake into slices. To get the cleanest slices, dip the knife in hot water and wipe dry between each slice.
- This cheesecake is delicious when cold, but allow to come for room temperature for optimal contrast between the dense exterior and soft interior.
