Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a dessert popular all over the world, consisting of a tender, creamy filling based on soft cheese (most often cream cheese like Philadelphia, or curd cheese), set on a crisp crust base. Despite the English name, the history of this dish goes back to Ancient Greece.

The base is usually made of crushed shortbread biscuits mixed with melted butter, and sometimes of sponge. The filling is made of whipped cheese with sugar, eggs, and cream, often with added vanilla or zest. There are two main types. Baked cheesecake (like the classic New York one) is baked, usually in a water bath for evenness and tenderness, as a result of which the filling becomes dense, velvety, and creamy. No-bake cheesecake sets in the refrigerator thanks to added gelatine or simple chilling, having a lighter, airier texture. On top, cheesecake is often decorated with fruit, berries, berry sauce (coulis), caramel, or chocolate. The flavour of cheesecake is tender, creamy, pleasantly sweet, with a light cheesy tang. It is a versatile dessert with countless regional variations, combining a luxurious creamy texture with the contrast of a crisp base. Cheesecake is a beloved classic of cafés and the home table.