The Recipe Content

Title

Burnt Basque Cheesecake

Description

Basque cheesecake, also known as cheesecake San Sebastian or burnt Basque cheesecake (Basque: euskal gazta-tarta, Spanish: tarta de queso vasca), is a crustless cheesecake originating from the Basque Country, Spain. It has a caramelized, nearly burnt exterior and creamy, custard-like interior, achieved by baking at high temperatures.

Ingredients

Ingredients Unsalted butter (for pan) 2 lb. cream cheese, room temperature 1½ cups (300 g) sugar 6 large eggs 2 cups heavy cream 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract ⅓ cup (42 g) all-purpose flour A 10"-diameter springform pan

Instructions

• Step 1 Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 400°. Brush pan with unsalted butter, then line with 2 overlapping 16x12" sheets of parchment paper, making sure parchment comes at least 2" above top of pan on all sides. Because the parchment needs to be pleated and creased in some areas to fit in pan, you won’t end up with a clean, smooth outer edge to the cake; that’s okay! Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Step 2 Beat 2 lb. cream cheese, room temperature, and 1½ cups (300 g) sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-low speed, scraping down sides of the bowl, until very smooth, no lumps remain, and sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. (You can also use a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium low-speed, but you may need to continue beating for a few extra minutes to dissolve sugar.)
• Step 3 Increase speed to medium and add 6 large eggs, one egg at a time, beating until each egg is incorporated, about 15 seconds, before adding the next. Scrape down sides of bowl, then reduce mixer speed to medium-low. Add 2 cups heavy cream, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract and beat until combined, about 30 seconds.
• Step 4 Turn off mixer and sift ⅓ cup (42 g) all-purpose flour evenly over cream cheese mixture using a fine-mesh sieve. Beat on low speed until incorporated, about 15 seconds. Scrape down sides of the bowl (yet again) and continue to beat until batter is very smooth, homogenous, and silky, about 10 seconds.
• Step 5 Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cheesecake until deeply golden brown on top and still very jiggly in the center, 60–65 minutes.
• Step 6 Let cool slightly (cake will collapse drastically as it cools), then unmold. Let cool completely. Carefully peel away parchment from sides of cheesecake. Slice into wedges and serve at room temperature, preferably with a glass of sherry alongside.

Do Ahead: Basque cheesecake can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let cheesecake sit at room temperature for several hours to remove chill before serving. A slice of Basque cheesecake as seen from the side.

Source Attribution

Sample Imagery

Recipe Website References

• Bon Appétit - Basque Burnt Cheesecake

  This site offers a detailed, step-by-step recipe for Basque Burnt Cheesecake, complete with helpful tips and clear instructions. The photography is high quality and the layout is easy to follow, making it a great reference for both novice and experienced bakers. The inclusion of background information about the dessert adds context and interest.

• Allrecipes - Burnt Basque Cheesecake

  Allrecipes offers a popular, well-reviewed version of Burnt Basque Cheesecake with straightforward instructions, user ratings, and helpful tips from the community.

• Spanish Sabores - Burnt Basque Cheesecake

  Spanish Sabores provides an authentic Spanish take on the dessert with clear steps, cultural context, and practical tips from a Spain-based food writer.

Non-Recipe Website References

• NYTimes

  The New York Times uses a news-first layout with strong typography, clear hierarchy, and responsive design that emphasizes readability and accessibility.

• Apple

  Apple’s website is a classic example of clean, minimalist design with a focus on product imagery and intuitive navigation. The use of whitespace, large visuals, and concise copy creates a premium feel. The site’s responsive design and accessibility features are also noteworthy.

• Information is Beautiful

  This site excels at presenting complex data in visually engaging and easily digestible formats. The creative use of color, infographics, and interactive elements makes information accessible and memorable. It’s a great source of inspiration for effective visual communication.