My grandmother was “Miss Cheesecake” in our family. She adored the dessert and would have it any chance she could. Like any obsession can, hers created an adverse reaction in those who didn't share in the affinity. Thanks to my grandmother's constant cheesecake indulgence, my mother hated it, never made it, and scoffed at the thought of it. I had to pick up the pieces and reignite the appreciation of the dessert in our household.
I’ve had many cheesecakes in my life. (As a born and raised midwesterner, I had my share of special-occasion trips to The Cheesecake Factory.)Of course, the most famous iteration of cheesecake (and the only one most people know about) is New York style. I love New York-style cheesecake, and now as a New Yorker (sorry Midwest fam), I have the luxury of having it at my fingertips. I’m looking at you, Junior’s.
However, I recently came across a cheesecake that looks nothing like New York style, but still calls itself cheesecake. This creation is Burnt Basque Cheesecake. I was curious and checked it out. I am not kidding when I tell you it was the best cheesecake I have ever had—undeniably better than New York-style cheesecake (sorry, not sorry).
What Is Burnt Basque Cheesecake?
Burnt Basque cheesecake hails from the Basque region of Spain, where Chef Santiago Rivera created the confection in his San Sebastian cafe, La Vina, after a series of cake experiments. The innovation has changed the cheesecake game.
The Difference Between Burnt Basque Cheesecake and New York-Style Cheesecake
In terms of appearance, texture, and taste, both styles differ quite a bit. New York style is known for its (iconic) graham cracker crust, smooth texture, and dense middle. It’s picturesque even. It leans on cream cheese as the star in its flavor profile. Burnt Basque, on the other hand, appears burnt on the outside and doesn’t have a crust at all. Due to being baked in parchment paper, it has wrinkled sides and rough edges. The torched outside is reminiscent of crème brûlée. The texture is not dense at all, but rather light, airy, and soufflé-like. The taste is sweeter and packs more flavor than its New York counterpart (for me).
You Have To Visit Grace Street for Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Grace Street is a dessert shop in the heart of New York City’s Koreatown. Known for their shaved snow desserts—creamy, ribbon-like ice that comes in a variety of flavors and toppings—they also sell Burnt Basque cheesecake. The cakes come in two different sizes: a four inch that is perfect for one person (or two?) and a seven inch. They have three flavors: original, chocolate, and matcha. Their cheesecake is absolutely delicious and it makes you think about it for days afterward. After the first bite I had to pause for a moment to accept the fact that this bite was the best I ever had. My brain couldn’t comprehend. It gives Junior’s New York-style cheesecake a run for its money.
Last Thoughts
For all of you New York loyalists, it may be hard to accept that there's a cheesecake out there that's better than the one you know and love. Change is hard. I get it. However, making the effort to give Burnt Basque cheesecake a try is the least you can do. And if you like it more, I won’t tell a soul.
FAQs
Regular cheesecake relies on heavy cream and sour cream to thin the batter and create a silkier, creamier texture. New York cheesecake is heavy on the cream cheese which is why it's so dense and rich. Extra cream cheese isn't the only thing that makes New York cheesecake so special.
What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and Chicago style cheesecake? ›
Chicago style is fluffier, with a firm outside and a softer, creamy inside. NY Style, traditionally, has a sponge crust. Chicago has a crust made from crushed shortbread combined with butter and a bit of sugar. My New York style cheesecake recipe has a baked flour crust.
What is the secret to the best cheesecake? ›
Here is how you can achieve this perfect cheesecake:
- Use high quality, full-fat ingredients. ...
- Bring your ingredients to room temperature. ...
- Pack in the graham cracker crust tightly and pre-bake it. ...
- Thoroughly mix the cream cheese and sugar. ...
- Don't over-whisk the eggs and creams. ...
- Bake in a water-bath at low temperature.
New York style cheesecake, classic cheesecake, and no bake cheesecake are the most popular types of cheesecakes, but the best cheesecake flavor is the one that you find irresistible — and that may be different for everyone.
What is New York vs Italian style cheesecake? ›
The main difference between what we would consider typical New York American cheesecake and Italian cheesecake is that in Italy, cheesecake is made with ricotta rather than cream cheese. It is also a bit lighter and dryer, more cakelike and less cloying.
What makes New York Cheesecake special? ›
When it comes to New York style cheesecake, heavy cream or sour cream is added to the mixture to create a denser, smoother, and creamier cheesecake. A springform pan allows for even baking and a high temperature creates a nice, attractive golden brown crust.
What is Sicilian cheesecake made of? ›
Cream Cheese: Only use full-fat cream cheese BLOCKS for cheesecake filling. Ricotta: The star of the show and what makes this a Sicilian-inspired cheesecake! Cornstarch: Cornstarch is added to the filling to aid in thickness. Eggs: You'll need 3 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk at room temperature.
What's the difference between Sicilian cheesecake and regular cheesecake? ›
The light, airy ricotta filling with lots of orange and a touch of almond is classic Sicilian (and exactly how my Sicilian-American mom made it), while the crust is signature American–but with a major touch of Sicilian-ness infused into it. Many New York-Style cheesecakes contain a simple, crispy graham cracker crust.
What is the most popular cheesecake? ›
We've rounded up our most popular, most delicious cheesecake recipes so that you can nail dessert every time.
- 1Brioche cheesecake. ...
- 2Roasted strawberries and cream cheesecake. ...
- 3Coconut cheesecake with lime and passionfruit sauce. ...
- 4Triple choc upside-down cheesecake. ...
- 5Caramel chocolate cheesecake. ...
- 6Jelly jaffa cheesecake.
Eli's is the definitive Chicago-style cheesecake. In 1980, Eli Schulman declared cheesecake would be the signature dessert for his legendary Chicago steakhouse, Eli's The Place For Steak.
Costco's Traditional Cheesecake
What makes this cheesecake New York style is the graham cracker crust, as well as cream cheese and sour cream in the filling.
What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›
Eggs: Three whole eggs hold the cheesecake together. I also add an extra yolk, which enhances the cake's velvety texture. (Whites tend to lighten the cake, which is actually fine — if you don't feel like separating that fourth egg and don't mind some extra airiness in the texture, just add in the whole egg.)
Should cream cheese be at room temperature when making cheesecake? ›
Room Temperature Ingredients
The biggest risk factor for a cracked cheesecake is a drastic change in temperature. So, make sure your cream cheese and other ingredients are room temperature when you mix the filling.
Should cheesecake be soft or hard? ›
Try this: The cheesecake should be shiny and firm to the touch when set. You can move the cheesecake to the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing, but freezing any longer will make for a frozen cheesecake without the same delightfully creamy texture as the just-refrigerated version.
Why is it called New York cheesecake? ›
“My grandfather said, 'If you're going to open a restaurant in New York, you've got to have great cheesecake,'” says Alan Rosen, third-generation owner at Junior's. Over the years, scores of restaurants and bakeries would follow this thought and tout their cheesecake as New York cheesecake.
What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and French cheesecake? ›
A French Style Cheesecake is simple, elegant, and a bit different than the popular one New York Cheesecake. The French one it's creamier and leaves you with a strong vanilla flavor from the first bite.
What is the difference between burnt cheesecake and New York cheesecake? ›
What Is Basque Cheesecake? Unlike classic New York cheesecake, Burnt Basque cheesecake isn't smooth or dense; instead, the dessert—baked at a high temperature—is light and scorched and caramelized on the top with a rich, gooey interior.
What is the difference between New York cheesecake and Israeli cheesecake? ›
But American-style cheesecake often includes all-purpose flour in the batter, which helps to bind and thicken it. Israeli-style cheesecake, meanwhile, uses cornstarch or sometimes even instant pudding mix.
