"Burnt" Basque Cheesecake

"Burnt" Basque cheesecake is made by baking the cheesecake in a very hot oven to deliver a beautiful, dark exterior full of bittersweet notes that complements the creamy light interior. I rarely post a trendy recipe while it's still trendy. But this "burnt" cheesecake method deserved the hype. Plus, this method is just plain easier — just remember the parchment paper. So, if you've not had much luck with traditional cheesecake methods, you should stop trying and make this exclusively.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 467 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon fine salt
• parchment paper
• 1 tablespoon soft unsalted butter, or as needed
• 4 jumbo eggs, at room temperature

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Butter a 9-inch cake pan. Cut a sheet of parchment paper large enough to line the inside of the pan by a few extra inches. Butter the paper and press it into the pan, flattening any major creases. Trim away any excess paper from the sides until you have an inch or two of overhang.

Step 3

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan against the counter to burst any excess air bubbles.

Step 4

Let cheesecake cool to room temperature, at least 25 minutes. Lift out onto a plate and peel back parchment paper, using a knife or spatula if needed. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, 4 hours to overnight.

Step 5

Combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, and salt in a bowl; stir and smear together with a spatula until very smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and 1 egg; whisk to combine. Whisk in remaining eggs, one at a time. Pour in heavy cream and mix until smooth.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until puffed, very well browned, and nearly burned on the edges, 50 to 55 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for the last 10 minutes.