Cheesecake Recipes

17/11/2023

Cheesecake is a widely adored dessert that comes in various interpretations. Here, I offer you a classic version of the New York-style cheesecake with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

200 g of Digestive biscuits
100 g of melted butter
500 g of spreadable cheese (such as Philadelphia)
120 g of sugar
1 sachet of vanillin or vanilla extract
2 eggs
Grated zest of 1 lemon (for a fresh and aromatic touch)
200 ml of sour cream

For the topping:

250 ml of sour cream
2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
Grated zest of ½ a lemon

Preparation

Start by crushing the Digestive biscuits into crumbs, then mix them with the melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of a previously buttered springform pan, creating an even base. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to harden.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 160 °C.
In a bowl, work the spreadable cheese with the sugar and vanillin until you get a smooth cream. Add the eggs, one at a time, continuing to mix.
Fold in the grated lemon zest and sour cream, mixing gently.
Pour the mixture over the biscuit base and bake in the oven for about 50-60 minutes or until the surface appears firm but slightly wavy in the center.
Meanwhile, prepare the topping by mixing the sour cream with the powdered sugar and lemon zest.
When the cheesecake is done, turn off the oven and let it cool for about an hour inside with the door slightly open. This helps to prevent cracks on the surface.
After that, spread the topping over the cheesecake and put it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Before serving, you can decorate the cheesecake with berries or a jam of your choice.

Curiosity

Cheesecake is a dessert that has its roots in ancient times, with versions that date back to classical Greece. The modern version, especially the New York style that makes extensive use of creamy cheese, however, became famous during the 20th century.

The addition of vanillin or lemon zest is the Italian touch that helps give the dessert a distinctive aroma. Remember that each cheesecake, while respecting tradition, can become a little personal masterpiece by experimenting with different toppings and flavors.