New York Based Cheesecake

Who doesn't love a good cheesecake???? It is probably one of the most commonly had desserts in most households. In Australia, we are fortunate enough to have the cheesecake shops, who make absolutely divine cakes and cheesecakes of course. So sometimes I have to admit it is easier to buy one. :) 

Ok, so before I start the recipe I have to tell you this story, a childhood memory that I will never forget..... The best cheesecake I have ever tasted in my life was when I was in New York quite a few years ago. I was with my parents, and we decided to explore more of New York by foot. As we were walking through the streets we remembered that a family friend had mentioned that we should go to this particular cake shop and order a cheesecake. So, excitedly we start looking at the map and walking down the alley to find this particular shop. We finally find it and excitedly with smiles on our face we look at my dad waiting for him to take out his wallet so we can buy a couple slices of cheesecake. My mum, brother and I go ahead into the store and look at the cakes and know which one we want to order. We look at my dad who looked so upset because he couldn't find his wallet... He forgot to put his wallet back into his bag he was carrying, as he had taken his wallet out earlier at the hotel and forgot it in the hotel room. Now, the hotel was too far to walk back to and then go back to the store, so we moved aside and allowed the gentleman to serve the next customer. We  were not going to leave that store without a cheesecake!!!! All of us started checking our bags and pockets for any change that we had and finally found enough money to buy ONE slice of cheesecake for FOUR of us to eat... When we got to the hotel and I took a bite of the cake it was as though the heavens had opended up and angels were singing. Seriously, the taste of the cheesecake was unbelievable, I sit here salivating as I type this, that is how good it was. Best cheesecake yet and nothing has ever compared to it. So, I guess I have to go back to New York and find the store and make sure I have a wallet full to buy a whole cheesecake.... :)  SO this story was my inspiration for creating this New York baked cheesecake. 

Now, what is the difference between a normal cheesecake and a New York based cheesecake. Well, surprisingly it is more about where the cake is made that it gets the name from, but New York based cheesecakes are made alittle differently, they are made using heavy or thickened cream or sour cream. So the recipe I have below uses sour cream. 

Ingredients: -

This recipe serves 6 as a whole cheese cake. But, if u make smaller cakes like the one in the picture above you could get about 10 cakes (size of a regular cupcake). 

For the cheesecake 

125g Plain sweet biscuits, if you want to make an oreo one like one of the cakes in the picture you can use plain or chocolate biscuits  

62g butter melted

250g cream cheese

1/2 Cup caster sugar

1/2 Cup sour cream

1 Tsp Vanilla extract

1 Tsp lemon zest

1 egg

For Decorating 

You can use any fruit you like for example raspberry jam with fresh raspberries on top, passion fruit with blackberries, crushed oreos in the cheesecake before you bake and whole oreos to top. I used caramel fill to stick the oreos to the cheesecakes. You can also use the extra sour cream, just add some sugar and give it a whip or fresh cream if you like. 

Method: -

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees. Place the biscuits in a food processor and process until biscuits resemble breadcrumbs. Add the melted butter and process again until butter and crumbs are well combined. Press into baking pan or into lined cupcake trays and press to form a crust. Refrigerate for about 15 - 20 minutes until the crust is set. 

For the cheesecake combine the remaining ingredients (except the egg) and mix well. Once combined add the egg and beat the mixture until light and fluffy. Place the mixture onto the set crust. If you are using cupcake tins to make individual cakes place about 2 dessertspoons of the cheesecake mix into each cupcake tin. The cupcakes would need to bake for a shorter time about 10 - 15 mins whereas if you making a big cake you would have to cook it for about 30 - 45 mins. To know when your cheesecake is cooked, the centre of the cake will be wobbly (like that of set jelly). 

Once you remove your cheesecake and it starts to cool down, do not be alarmed when the centre of the cake starts to drop alittle, this is normal. It is something that will be covered up once you decorate your cake so do not stress. Cover your cooled cake with jam, passionfruit, caramel fill or even whipped cream. and decorate as you like. Refrigerate atleast for an hour before serving, I prefer to leave the cake overnight just to let it all set perfectly.  Enjoy :)