Recipes Desserts Cake Cheesecakes Basque Cheesecake 4.5 (4) 10 Reviews This creamy cheesecake does not need to be babied with a water bath and emerges from the oven with a deeply toasted, caramelized top. By Tavel Bristol-Joseph Updated on February 2, 2023 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Cedric Angeles Active Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins Servings: 12 to 14 Austin-based pastry chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph's secret to making a creamy, perfectly baked Basque cheesecake? Beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth, whisk together heavy cream and several tablespoons of flour, combine them in a stand mixer, and then beat in the eggs a little at a time. The resulting cheesecake batter is very forgiving: it can be baked without a water bath and never cracks or sinks. The stunning caramelized-verging-on-burnt top lends a pleasant, toasty accent to the intensely rich and creamy interior. One bonus to making Basque-style cheesecakes that's often overlooked: freeing the cake from its brittle parchment wrapping is very satisfying. Ingredients 36 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar 2 cups heavy whipping cream 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 6 large eggs 1 large egg yolk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a 10-inch springform pan with two large pieces of parchment paper so that they overlap in the middle, pressing and creasing to fit snugly in pan and leaving at least 2 inches of overhang around all edges. Set aside. Combine cream cheese and sugar in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Begin beating on low speed and gradually increase speed to high, beating until mixture is smooth and creamy, 4 to 6 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl as needed. Whisk together heavy whipping cream and flour in a medium bowl until mostly smooth; add to cream cheese mixture. Beat on low just until incorporated. Add eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, beating on medium-low speed until combined after each addition. Add vanilla extract, and beat on low speed until blended. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven until top is dark brown and center is still very jiggly, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature, about 3 hours. Chill, uncovered, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days. When ready to serve, remove sides of pan, and carefully peel back parchment paper. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours before serving. Make ahead Cheesecake can be refrigerated uncovered for up to 3 days. Suggested pairing Toffee-accented, sweet sherry. Rate it Print