What Is Basque Cheesecake?

If you’ve ever wondered what is Basque cheesecake, it’s a crustless cheesecake known for its deeply caramelized top and creamy interior. This dessert became famous after being served at La Viña in Spain.

Unlike traditional cheesecakes baked slowly at low temperatures, a Basque cheesecake is baked at very high heat. That intense heat creates the signature burnt top while keeping the inside soft, rich, and custardy.

Because the technique is simple, it has become one of the most approachable Basque cheesecake recipes for home bakers.

Sakura Flavor for a Spring Dessert

This sakura cheesecake recipe brings a Japanese spring flavor to the classic Basque style cheesecake.

The cake is flavored with sakura powder made by Yamasan Kyoto Uji Sakura Powder, which gives the batter a delicate cherry blossom aroma and a soft pink hue.

In Japan, sakura desserts are incredibly popular during spring. From drinks to sweets, cherry blossom flavor appears everywhere. If you enjoy traditional treats like sakura mochi, this cheesecake offers a similar floral sweetness in a creamy form.

With its lightly caramelized top and silky center, this cherry blossom dessert is simple yet elegant — perfect for celebrating the sakura season.

Ingredients

Cream cheese: 8 oz
Heavy cream: 3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp
Sugar: 1/2 cup
Eggs: 2
Plain yogurt: 3 Tbsp
Sakura powder: 3 Tbsp

Powdered sugar (optional): for garnish
Salt-pickled sakura flowers (optional): soaked for 30 minutes and rinsed

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 460°F.
2. Microwave the cream cheese for about 20 seconds to soften it. Transfer it to a mixing bowl.
3. Add the heavy cream, eggs, sugar, sakura powder, and plain yogurt.
4. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until completely smooth and creamy.
5. Crumple a sheet of parchment paper and line a 7-inch round pan with it.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. If you see any large air bubbles, pop them with a toothpick.
7. Bake for 27–30 minutes until the top is deeply browned and the center still has a slight jiggle.
8. Let the cheesecake cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for 2–3 hours until fully chilled.
9. Slice to your desired size and finish with powdered sugar and soaked and rinsed salt-pickled sakura flowers if desired.

Sakura Cheesecake(Basque Style Cheesecake)

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 8 people

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• Cream cheese: 8 oz
• Heavy cream: 3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp
• Sugar: 1/2 cup
• Eggs: 2
• Plain yogurt: 3 Tbsp
• Sakura powder: 3 Tbsp
• Powdered sugar optional: for garnish
• Salt-pickled sakura flowers optional: soaked for 30 minutes and rinsed

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 460°F.
2. Microwave the cream cheese for about 20 seconds to soften it. Transfer it to a mixing bowl.
3. Add the heavy cream, eggs, sugar, sakura powder, and plain yogurt.
4. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until completely smooth and creamy.
5. Crumple a sheet of parchment paper and line a 7-inch round pan with it.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. If you see any large air bubbles, pop them with a toothpick.
7. Bake for 27–30 minutes until the top is deeply browned and the center still has a slight jiggle.
8. Let the cheesecake cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for 2–3 hours until fully chilled.
9. Slice to your desired size and finish with powdered sugar and soaked and rinsed salt-pickled sakura flowers if desired.