Personality Test: What Cheesecake Flavor Suits You?

Cheesecake is a dessert made with soft fresh cheese, eggs, and sugar. It can be baked or unbaked and is usually served chilled. The base can be made from crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sponge cake. The earliest mention of a cheesecake was by the Greek physician Aegimus in the 5th century BCE. Modern cheesecakes can be broadly categorized into two types: baked and unbaked. However, there are several variations of cheesecake, including New York-style, Japanese, Basque, and more.

Crust or no crust?

So, you want to know if you're a cheesecake with a crust or no crust? Well, let's explore the options and see which one suits you best!

First of all, it's important to know that the majority of cheesecakes do have a crust. It's a classic component that provides structure and texture to the dessert. The most common types of crust include a graham cracker or cookie crumb base, a shortbread crust, or even a thin sponge cake layer. These options offer a sweet and crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese filling.

Now, if you're considering going crustless, you're not alone! There are indeed cheesecakes that boldly forgo the traditional crust. One notable example is the Basque cheesecake, which originated in Spain and gained popularity worldwide in the 2010s. This cheesecake is known for its burnt custard top and the absence of a crust. It's a bold and unique take on the traditional cheesecake.

Another crustless cheesecake is the sernik wiedeński, or Vienna-style cheesecake from Poland. This variety dates back to the 17th century and is based on eggs and butter, without the addition of cream or sour cream. So, if you're feeling adventurous and want to break free from convention, a crustless cheesecake could be your signature move.

Ultimately, the decision to have a crust or go crustless depends on your preference for texture, presentation, and flavour combinations. A crust provides a textural contrast and can enhance the sweetness of the dessert, while going crustless simplifies the preparation and highlights the creamy cheese filling.

So, which one are you—a classic crust or a bold crustless cheesecake? The choice is yours!

Baked or unbaked?

There are two basic types of cheesecake: baked and unbaked.

Baked Cheesecakes

Baked cheesecakes are usually made with cream cheese, heavy cream, eggs, and sugar. They are cooked in a spring-form pan, often in a water bath, and can be identified by their creamier centres and bottoms, with firmer tops and drier, slightly puffy, almost grainy edges. Baked cheesecakes tend to be more stable at room temperature and are better for travelling with.

Unbaked Cheesecakes

Unbaked cheesecakes, also known as no-bake cheesecakes, are made by mixing and chilling the ingredients, and do not require any cooking. They have a much smoother, more homogenous texture throughout and lack eggs, instead using gelatin, condensed milk, or whipped or sour cream to stabilise the cream cheese filling. Unbaked cheesecakes are softer and more delicate, but they don't hold up as well at room temperature.

Crusts

Both baked and unbaked cheesecakes can have a crust, usually made from crushed cookies or graham crackers, pastry, or sponge cake. However, some cheesecakes, such as Japanese cotton cheesecake, have no crust.

Which cheese to use?

The type of cheese you use for your cheesecake will depend on the style of cheesecake you want to make. The most common types of cheese used in cheesecakes are cottage cheese, cream cheese, quark, and ricotta.

If you're going for a New York-style cheesecake, you'll want to use cream cheese as the base. This style of cheesecake is ultra-dense, rich, firm yet creamy, and tangy. To achieve this signature texture and taste, a generous amount of cream cheese is used, along with heavy cream, eggs, and sugar. Some variations use sour cream instead of heavy cream, either incorporated into the filling or added as a distinct layer on top. While purists prefer their New York-style cheesecakes without any added flavourings, you may often find them topped with strawberries or other fruits.

For a more traditional approach, you can try making a ricotta cheesecake, reminiscent of ancient Roman recipes. Ricotta cheesecakes tend to be drier, less creamy, and slightly granular in texture. To elevate the taste and texture, it is recommended to use fresh ricotta instead of store-bought. You can even make your own homemade ricotta with relative ease.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with other types of cheese, such as German quark or even cottage cheese. Quark, a German soft farmer's cheese, is used in various cheesecake variations, while cottage cheese was used in earlier cheese pie recipes before the invention of cream cheese.

What flavour to add?

There are many different flavours of cheesecake, and the flavour you choose to add will depend on your personal preference and the type of cheesecake you are making.

If you are making a New York-style cheesecake, purists believe that no additional flavourings should be added. However, you may often find New York-style cheesecakes topped with strawberries or other red fruits such as cherry or raspberry. If you are making a "regular" cheesecake, you can add all manner of different ingredients, from chocolate to fruit, sauces, candies, and other garnishes.

Vanilla, spices, lemon, chocolate, pumpkin, or other flavours can be added to the main cheese layer. Additional flavours and visual appeal can be added by topping the finished dessert with fruit, whipped cream, nuts, cookies, fruit sauce, chocolate syrup, or other ingredients.

If you are making a Japanese-style cheesecake, you may want to stick to the traditional cream cheese flavour, but you could also experiment with other flavours such as lemon or matcha.

For a more unique flavour profile, you could try making a savoury cheesecake. One example is a blue cheese cheesecake with a crust made from crushed buttery crackers and chopped pecans, served with crisp, sweet slices of apple and pear. Another savoury option is a smoked salmon cheesecake, which can be served as an appetizer or buffet item.

What toppings to add?

When it comes to toppings, the options are endless! You can add toppings to enhance the flavour and add visual appeal.

Fresh fruit is a popular choice, with strawberries being a classic option for a New York-style cheesecake. Other fruits that pair well with cheesecake include cherries, raspberries, and passionfruit. You can also incorporate fruit in the form of preserves, such as strawberry, cherry, or raspberry jam.

For a more indulgent option, consider topping your cheesecake with whipped cream, chocolate sauce or syrup, caramel sauce, or even a liquorice sauce. If you're feeling extra creative, you can incorporate chopped candy bars, chocolate chips, or even crushed cookies or biscuits.

If you're a fan of a more tangy flavour profile, consider adding a layer of sweetened sour cream to your cheesecake. For a boozy twist, you could also add a splash of liqueur to your cheesecake.

Additionally, some people like to add a decorative element to their cheesecakes. Chopped nuts, such as pecans or crushed biscotti, can add texture and flavour to the topping. You could also experiment with edible flowers or gold leaf for a luxurious touch.

Remember, the type of cheesecake you're making might influence your topping choices. While New York-style cheesecakes typically stick to traditional toppings, other styles like the "regular" cheesecake offer more freedom to experiment with different toppings and mix-ins.

Frequently asked questions