Ingredients
Cheesecake Batter
- 440g cream cheese
- 3 eggs
- 120g sugar
- 12g matcha powder
- 20g all purpose flour
- 270g heavy cream
- pinch of salt
Strawberry Topping
- 330ml heavy whipping cream
- 250g mascarpone
- 86g powdered sugar
- 6 tbsp freeze dried strawberry powder
Decoration
- Fresh strawberries
- Fondant flowers
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 240°C (465°F). Crumple a sheet of parchment paper into a ball, then flatten it out and use it to line a 24cm (9-inch) round cake pan. This helps achieve the rustic Basque cheesecake look and prevents sticking.
- Blend Batter: In a blender, combine the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, matcha powder, all-purpose flour, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Blend until the mixture is perfectly smooth, ensuring no lumps remain for a silky cheesecake texture.
- Strain and Bake: Pour the batter through a fine sieve into the prepared pan. This step removes air bubbles and lumps to create a smooth surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until the top is a deep brown and the center is still slightly jiggly. Remove and allow the cheesecake to cool, then refrigerate it to set fully.
- Prepare Strawberry Topping: In a mixing bowl, beat together the heavy whipping cream, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and freeze-dried strawberry powder until stiff peaks form. This will give you a light, fluffy, and flavorful topping.
- Apply Topping and Chill: Spread the strawberry mascarpone mixture evenly over the cooled cheesecake. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to let the topping set properly and marry flavors.
- Decorate and Serve: Garnish the cheesecake with fresh strawberries and fondant flowers for a beautiful presentation. To slice cleanly, warm a knife under hot water, dry it thoroughly, and then cut through the cheesecake carefully for neat, defined slices.
Notes
- Using parchment paper crumpled first makes it easier to line the pan without tearing, creating the signature rustic edges.
- Straining the batter ensures a smooth texture by removing any lumps or air bubbles before baking.
- The cheesecake should have a deeply browned top with a slightly jiggly center when baking is complete, indicative of the traditional Basque style.
- Freezing or resting the strawberry powder before use enhances its flavor without adding moisture to the topping.
- Warming the knife before slicing results in cleaner cuts without cracking the cheesecake.
- This cheesecake benefits from chilling overnight for best flavor and texture development.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion (Japanese-Spanish)
- Diet: Vegetarian
