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If you were to name one dessert that feels like an embodiment of heaven on the plate, it's none other than cheesecake. The luscious yellow cream, with the sweet flavour and hints of savoury coming from cream cheese, makes every spoonful feel like a bite of heaven. Plus, the contrasting texture combined with the crumbly base takes it to a whole new level.
When given the option of what kind of cheesecake you'd want for dessert, the name New York cheesecake pops up without a second thought. More than just a cream cheese dessert, New York Cheesecake has become a gold standard for desserts that ever existed. And why not? Its rich, velvety texture and decadent flavours are unparalleled. But in the world of cheesecake, there are several other types, each being one better than the other.
From Japanese cheesecake to German cheesecake, know these seven different types of cheesecakes and make sure to try them once in your lifetime.
1) Russian Cheesecake
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Russian Cheesecake, or "vatrushka," features a soft yeast dough filled with sweetened farmer's cheese or quark. Sugar, milk, eggs and butter are added to the dough to make it soft. A filling of savoury cheese, sugar, eggs, and optional flavourings like vanilla or dried fruits are also added. This treat is a special part of Russian traditional festivals and is popular throughout the world.
2) Japanese Cheesecake
Japanese Cheesecake, also known as "soufflé cheesecake," is a light and fluffy dessert with a delicate texture. This cake melds the richness of traditional cheesecake with the airiness of egg souffle. Despite looking like a normal cake, Japanese Cheesecake can be characterised by its signature jigglyness. The Elements include cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and a small amount of flour. It's typically served chilled and dusted with powdered sugar.
3) Burnt Basque Cheesecake
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Burnt Basque Cheesecake hides a creamy custard-like core beneath the caramelised burnt crust. This cake originates from the Basque region of Spain. The basic ingredients include cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and a touch of flour, baked at high heat to create its distinctive burnt top. You might think that things become bitter when burnt, but it's actually the opposite with burnt cheesecake. The upper charred crust enhances the sweet flavour and makes it more indulgent.
4) Baklava Cheesecake
Instead of cookie crumb crust, this recipe uses baklava sheets. After laying the cake tin with the sheets, the cheesecake mixture goes in, and it's baked to perfection. There can be many variations to this recipe, as you can make it like burnt cheesecake, classic New York Cheesecake or sweet and savoury cake. Using the baklava sheets brings a delightful crunch to the dessert.
5) Chicago Cheesecake
Chicago cheesecake has some similarities with the New York cheesecake. Both of them feature a thick, buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy filling made from cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and sour cream. However, Chicago cheesecake is characterised by its dense texture that stays in the mouth. It is often topped with fruit compote or chocolate sauce.
6) Philadelphia Cheesecake
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You might know Philadelphia cheesecake by the name "cream cheese cheesecake.” This is another iconic American dessert with a smooth and creamy texture. The signature ingredient is obviously the cream cheese. The cheese is blended with sugar, eggs, and often sour cream or heavy cream. Baked in a graham cracker crust, the centre becomes rich and velvety.
7) German Cheesecake
German Cheesecake, or "Käsekuchen," is known for its light and fluffy texture with a tang. This beloved German dessert is typically made with quark cheese, eggs, sugar, and sometimes semolina or starch for stability. It's often baked on a shortcrust pastry base and can be topped with fruits like cherries or mandarin oranges for added sweetness.
