Andy Montoya
Cheesecake is a dessert that is made with soft fresh cheese, typically cream cheese, but also sometimes cottage cheese, quark or ricotta. The earliest extant cheesecake recipes are found in Cato the Elder's De Agri Cultura, which includes recipes for three cakes for religious uses: libum, savillum and placenta. The cheesecake did not evolve into its modern form until around the 18th century when Europeans began removing yeast and adding beaten eggs to the cheesecake. Modern cheesecake comes in two different types: baked and unbaked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredient | Cheese (typically cottage cheese, cream cheese, quark or ricotta) |
| Other Ingredients | Eggs, sugar, sour cream, heavy cream, flour, vanilla, chocolate, fruit, etc. |
| Crust/Base | Crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sponge cake |
| Type | Baked or unbaked |
| Served | Chilled |
| Toppings | Fruit, whipped cream, nuts, cookies, fruit sauce, chocolate syrup, etc. |
| Origin | Ancient Greece |
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What You'll Learn
The main ingredient is cream cheese
Cheesecake is indeed made with cheese, specifically soft fresh cheese. The most common variety used is cream cheese, which is the key ingredient in the filling, providing a rich, creamy texture and tangy flavour. Other types of soft cheese used in cheesecakes include cottage cheese, quark, and ricotta.
The use of cream cheese in cheesecakes dates back to the invention of modern commercial American cream cheese in 1872. William Lawrence, from Chester, New York, was attempting to recreate the soft French cheese Neufchâtel and, in doing so, developed an "unripened cheese" that was heavier and creamier. This cream cheese forms the base of the cheesecake batter, which also includes eggs, sugar, and often sour cream or heavy cream, with a little flour and a flavouring agent such as vanilla, chocolate, or fruit.
The cream cheese is mixed with these other ingredients and then poured into a pre-baked crust, which is typically made from crushed cookies or digestive biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sometimes sponge cake. The cheesecake is then gently baked in a water bath, or bain-marie, which ensures even, gentle baking and helps prevent cracking or drying. The finished dessert is usually served chilled and can be topped with fruit, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate syrup, or other ingredients.
While cream cheese is the most common type of cheese used in modern cheesecakes, other varieties of cheesecake may use different types of cheese. For example, the ancient Greeks are believed to have made cheesecakes, with the earliest mention by the Greek physician Aegimus in the 5th century BCE. However, these cheesecakes likely tasted very different from the modern variety, as they included yeast, which would have imparted a strong flavour.
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It can be baked or unbaked
Cheesecake is a dessert that can be made with a variety of soft, fresh cheeses, including cottage cheese, cream cheese, quark, or ricotta. It also typically contains eggs, sugar, and a crust or base made from crushed cookies or biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sponge cake.
Cheesecake can be baked or left unbaked, and it is usually served chilled. The baked variety typically involves mixing cream cheese with eggs, sugar, sour cream or heavy cream, flour, and flavourings such as vanilla, chocolate, or fruit. This mixture is then poured into a crust and gently baked in a water bath. This technique ensures even, gentle baking and helps prevent cracking or drying. The cheesecake is then cooled in the water bath and subsequently refrigerated.
Unbaked cheesecakes, also known as no-bake cheesecakes, are made by combining cream cheese, sugar, and flavourings with whipped topping or milk and gelatin. This mixture is then chilled until it sets. While gelatin can help stabilise the dessert, it tends to get tougher and gummier over time. Thus, some people prefer to use whipped topping for a softer texture.
Different variations of cheesecake exist worldwide, such as the South African version, which includes whipped cream, cream cheese, gelatin, and a buttered digestive biscuit crust. This variant is similar to British cheesecake and is common in British South African communities. Japanese cheesecake, also known as soufflé-style or cotton cheesecake, is made with cream cheese, butter, sugar, and eggs, resulting in a wobbly, airy texture. In the Philippines, the most prominent cheesecake is ube cheesecake, made with a base of crushed graham crackers and an upper layer of cream cheese and ube halaya (mashed purple yam with milk, sugar, and butter).
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Crusts can be made from crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, or graham crackers
Cheesecake is a dessert that can be made with a variety of bases, or crusts, and there are several options for customisation. Crusts can be made from crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, or graham crackers. For example, Oreo cookies can be used to make a crust, but this type of crust tends to stick to the pan, so it is recommended to use a non-stick spray. Digestive biscuits are also a popular choice for crusts, especially in South Africa and among British South African communities. In the United States, a crumbled-cookie or graham cracker base is often used for cheesecakes. Graham crackers are a popular choice for cheesecakes as they provide a sweet and crumbly texture, and when combined with butter, they bind together well.
The type of crust used can impact the overall texture and taste of the cheesecake. For example, a crust made with ground pecans can add a crunchy texture, while a crust made with crushed cookies can result in a softer, more delicate base. The crust is typically prepared separately from the filling and then baked, contributing to the overall structure and stability of the cheesecake.
Additionally, the crust can be pre-baked to create a firmer base for the cheesecake. This technique is especially useful for cheesecakes that have a softer filling or a more delicate structure. By pre-baking the crust, the baker can ensure that the cheesecake holds its shape and can be easily sliced and served without falling apart.
The crust is an essential component of a cheesecake, providing not only a textural contrast to the creamy filling but also adding flavour and enhancing the overall presentation of the dessert. The versatility of cheesecake crusts allows for creativity and customisation to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Whether it's a traditional graham cracker crust or an innovative Oreo cookie base, the crust plays a crucial role in the overall enjoyment of the cheesecake.
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It can be served chilled with toppings like fruit, whipped cream, or nuts
Cheesecake is a dessert that is typically served chilled. It can be served with a variety of toppings, including fruit, whipped cream, nuts, cookies, fruit sauce, chocolate syrup, or other ingredients. For example, a popular topping for cheesecake is raspberry sauce, or you could top it with salted caramel, lemon curd, strawberry topping, chocolate ganache, red wine chocolate ganache, or fresh fruit.
Fruit toppings can include berries, strawberries, or pureed strawberries. Some people also like to serve cheesecake with a sauce or syrup, such as berry sauce, strawberry sauce, salted caramel sauce, or chocolate syrup. Cheesecake can also be served with a liquorice sauce, as in the case of the Basque cheesecake created by Santiago Rivera of the La Viña restaurant in the Basque Country, Spain.
Cheesecake is often served straight from the base of the pan, but it can also be transferred to a serving platter. To do this, run a long, thin spatula between the crust and the pan bottom, and then use two large spatulas to carefully transfer the cheesecake to a serving dish.
Cheesecake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap, for up to two days. It can also be frozen for up to three months.
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Ancient cheesecakes were popular in Greece and Rome
Cheesecake is a dessert that is typically made with soft, fresh cheese (such as cottage cheese, cream cheese, quark, or ricotta), eggs, and sugar. It often has a crust or base made from crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sponge cake. Cheesecake may be baked or unbaked and is usually served chilled.
Ancient cheesecakes were indeed popular in Greece and Rome. The first recorded evidence of a cheesecake-like dessert dates back to ancient Greece, where it was made with simple ingredients such as cheese, wheat, and honey. According to some historians, a version of cheesecake was served as early as 776 B.C. during the first Olympic Games. Moreover, anthropologists have discovered even older cheese molds on the Eastern Aegean island of Samos, dating back to 2,000 B.C.
Athenaeus, a Greek author, wrote the oldest extant Greek recipe for a Greek cheesecake around 230 A.D. The actual recipe was quite simple, and the cheesecake was also a common wedding cake option in ancient Greece. In ancient Greece, the bride would bake a cheesecake for her new husband's guests as a sign of hospitality.
When the Romans conquered Greece, they adopted and adapted the Greek method of making cheesecake. The Romans added crushed cheese and eggs and served the dish warm. This recipe was then spread throughout Europe as the Roman Empire expanded, leading to various European variations of cheesecake that reflected the distinct dairy products and cooking styles of each region.
Over time, the cheesecake continued to evolve, and by the early 19th century, recipes included cheese curd, fresh butter, blanched almonds, eggs, and cream. Modern commercial American cream cheese was developed in 1872 by William Lawrence, who aimed to recreate the soft French cheese Neufchâtel. This innovation led to the creation of the modern cheesecake, which comes in baked and unbaked varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cheesecake is made with soft fresh cheese, typically cream cheese, cottage cheese, quark, or ricotta.
Eggs, sugar, and a crust or base made from crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sometimes sponge cake.
The cheesecake batter is made from cream cheese, mixed with eggs, sugar, and sometimes flour, sour cream, or heavy cream. Vanilla, chocolate, lemon, or fruit can be added for flavor, and the mixture is poured into a crust made from crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sponge cake. The cheesecake is then baked in a water bath and chilled before serving.
