Baked cheesecake

Baked cheesecake

1 h
Discover the luxury of a classic baked cheesecake with a tangy cream cheese filling and a crisp almond biscuit base. Our recipe is a bit more adventurous as we add white cheese and lemon to the filling, which gives the cake a nice fresh aftertaste. We top it with juicy blueberries for a finishing touch, turning this baked cheesecake into a memorable dessert perfect for dazzling guests.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/baked-cheesecake/

Instructions

Biscuit base
  • Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Line the spring form tin (​​about 20 cm in diameter) with parchment paper.
  • Place almonds in a blender and grind them coarsely. Add wheat biscuits and continue to blend until the mixture is finely ground.
  • Melt butter and pour it over the ground nuts and biscuits. Stir until the mixture is evenly moistened.
  • Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the spring form tin and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Filling
  • Drain the white cheese cubes from the brine. In a bowl, combine them with the cream.
  • Add cream cheese and whisk using an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add eggs, grated zest and juice of ½ lemon. Mix again using the electric mixer until well combined.
  • Add sugar and flour and mix one last time with the electric mixer until the mixture is smooth.
Assembling
  • Remove the base from the oven and pour the cream cheese filling over the crumb base, spreading it evenly.
  • Bake the cheesecake in the oven for another 20–25 minutes at 180 °C, or until the filling is set but slightly wobbly in the centre.
  • Remove the cheesecake from the oven, let it cool slightly, and then put it in the fridge for about 2 hours.
  • Garnish with fresh blueberries.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about baked cheesecake

Begin your journey to perfecting the classic baked cheesecake with our answers to the most frequently asked questions. Below, we discuss the best ways to check when the cake is done and the proper ways to store leftovers.

How long can I keep baked cheesecake in the fridge?
You can store your baked cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To keep it fresh, wrap it tightly in cling film. This will help to maintain moisture and protect the cheesecake from absorbing any odours from the refrigerator.
How do I know if the cheesecake is done baking?
If you gently shake the pan, you can tell the cheesecake is ready when the centre shows a slight wobble. The edges should be set and slightly raised. You can insert a toothpick into the centre, and if it comes out clean, it is done baking. As the cheesecake cools, it will firm up, so take care not to overbake and risk a dry texture or burned top.
Can I prepare baked cheesecake in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the cheesecake beforehand, which actually improves its texture. After the cheesecake cools and sets, wrap it in cling film and refrigerate. Leaving it in the fridge overnight will make it firmer and easier to cut.

Ingredients

Biscuit base
Almonds
50 g
Wheat biscuits (digestive), approximately 150 g
10
Butter
75 g
Filling
200 g
Cream cheese
200 g
Double cream
150 ml
Eggs
2
Lemon, juice and zest
½
Sugar
200 g
Garnish
Blueberries
150 g

Tips: Perfecting your baked cheesecake

We have some tips ready to help you make the ultimate baked cheesecake. These pointers will help you get a solid base and smooth filling, making each slice pure bliss.

Get a smooth cheesecake filling

To get a smooth cheesecake filling, let the cream cheese and eggs come to room temperature before combining them. This prevents lumps and ensures that the ingredients mix evenly. Mix just until the ingredients are combined to avoid introducing too much air, which can cause the cheesecake to crack when it bakes.

Firm biscuit base

You want to start with a firm biscuit crust that provides a solid foundation for the cream cheese filling to come. Combine almonds, crumbled wheat biscuits, and melted butter until the mixture is like moist sand. Then, press the mixture firmly into the bottom of your spring form tin, creating an even layer that goes slightly up along the sides of the tin. Bake it for about 10 minutes until the base is set.

Avoid overbaking

One of the challenges when baking a cheesecake is getting the baking time right. Bake it too long, and the smooth texture becomes all dry and crumbly, and the top of the cheesecake may even show cracks. To prevent this, it is crucial to carefully manage the oven temperature and baking duration. Start by baking the cheesecake at a high temperature, around 180 °C, which helps the filling to set quickly and form a slight crust. This allows the edges to firm up and prevents the filling from cooking unevenly.

Rich and creamy baked cheesecake

The elegance that comes with a rich and creamy baked cheesecake is truly unmatched. Classic cheesecake is made from a crumbly bottom topped with cream cheese filling. In our version, we add white cheese to the cream cheese filling and spread it on top of the buttery biscuit base. You get wonderfully contrasting flavours and textures that will delight your taste buds. Looking for a way to impress family and friends? Then, this recipe is the way to go.

Biscuit crust with almonds

From the moment the crisp biscuit crust meets your mouth, you know you are in for a treat. Our base is formed by butter and ground almonds that lend depth to the biscuit base and help balance the smooth cream cheese mixture. Combined with digestive biscuits, the almonds form a crumbly yet firm foundation waiting for the velvety filling.

With cream cheese, white cheese, and subtle lemon notes

The white cheese and cream cheese filling give the baked cheesecake its distinct tangy freshness. It creates a perfect counterpoint to the biscuit base, making each bite a creamy rebellion against the ordinary. The filling gets a zesty and aromatic twist from the lemon juice and grated zest, infusing it with a fresh, bright edge that cuts through the richness.

Garnished with fresh blueberries

Now that we have the crunchy and creamy elements down, all this baked cheesecake needs is something juicy, which is why we decorate it with fresh blueberries. They bring a satisfying pop as you bite into their sweet and slightly tart juices. The baked cheesecake with blueberries is stunning in its simplicity, offering a refined finish for you and your guests to gaze at.

An easy family dessert

You cannot put a price on a delicious family dessert that is also easy to make. This baked cheesecake is prepared in just a few simple steps and takes only 30 active minutes in the kitchen. After that, the cake just needs to sit in the fridge for a couple of hours. Bake it before the kids come home or the family comes over, and serve it as a spellbinding dessert with rich, creamy textures and a tantalising biscuit base.

Explore our tasty collection of easy family desserts. Try our strawberry cheesecake ice cream, sweet chocolate coconut cookies, or chocolate beetroot cupcakes. Enjoy them as a dessert or an incredible afternoon treat.

Add a personal touch to the recipe

To add a personal touch to your baked cheesecake, try experimenting with the biscuit base. Rather than using digestive wheat biscuits, opt for ginger biscuits that add a warm, spicy note that complements the tangy filling. For a richer, indulgent base, use chocolate biscuits instead. This introduces a deep cocoa flavour that contrasts nicely with the tangy and creamy filling.

Add new flavours to the cream cheese filling by incorporating seeds from a vanilla bean pod. The vanilla enhances the creaminess and adds a sweet, fragrant note. If you want a more playful profile, try using espresso or cocoa powder. The espresso brings a coffee-like touch and a slightly bitter, robust note, while the cocoa provides a chocolatey, slightly bitter taste.

Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg are great if you want to add a warm, aromatic flavour to the filling. A hint of cardamom introduces a fragrant, floral note, while nutmeg provides depth and warmth, making it a perfect dessert for wintertime gatherings.