Everything About Burnt Cheesecake, S’pore’s Latest Food Trend

With its burnt top and regularly misshapen body, the Basque burnt cheesecake isn’t exactly Brad Pitt.

In the sense that it’s not exactly easy on the eyes.

And yet, its intense cheesy fillings, as well as caramelised crust, have not only compensated for the lack of visual aesthetics…

But somehow won over the hearts of diners around the world, including our own Singaporeans.

Truly, what a phenomenon.

Everything About Burnt Cheesecake, S’pore’s Latest Food Trend

But how did it all start, you ask?

And what exactly is Basque burnt cheesecake, the worldwide phenomenon that has lit the streets of Singapore?

Without further ado, here’s what we know.

First created nearly 30 years ago in Las Vinas (a pintxo bar in San Sebastian), the Basque burnt cheesecake follows a really simple recipe:

Cream cheese, sugar, eggs and flour.

Yes, folks, it’s that simple. And it’s easy to make too. No fancy baking techniques are required, and no crust is needed. As food blogger and cookbook author Joshua Weissman so aptly puts it…

“So one of the best cheesecakes in the world is super easy to make but it has a secret. And the secret is burning it.”

Small wonder why everyone’s baking it from the comfort of their own homes, a notion which we will touch on later on in the article.

According to MSN, the delicacy is known as a “burnt cheesecake” because when it’s created properly, the peak of the dessert should be a dark brown colour.

Fresh out of the oven, the burnt cheesecake should seem dense and even slightly rare in the middle.

Popularity

Apparently, Youtube’s data team collated results between 15 March and 21 July and realised one shocking (or maybe not so shocking) revelation:

There was a 60% jump in searches for different forms of “Basque Cheesecake”, compared to searches between January and early March.

And social media sites have certainly come alive with the delicacy’s emergence.

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I didn't get to take a picture of it whole because I woke up late but here is last night's Burnt Basque Cheesecake!! pic.twitter.com/M9K9feJwyY

— dana 💛 #LACUNACOMEBACK (@dalandana_art) August 4, 2020

just made the most perfect burnt basque cheesecake that tastes like absolute heaven 🖤

— deus ex machina (@gothtarot) July 31, 2020

And it supposedly even doubles as a surefire way to get the proposal done.

My gf made me a burnt basque cheesecake 😳🥺 it's so good pls I cannot wait to live with her 😭

— astrid ✨ TOH SPOILERS (@catraxtherapy) August 4, 2020

Though we do recommend taking that particular notion with a grain of salt.

Naturally, the worldwide trend has also carried over to Singapore, where a rise in demand for the burnt delicacy has seen local restaurants and bakeries do their own takes of the treat.

Cat and the Fiddle, an online-based cake retailer whose speciality lies with cheesecakes, has also jumped on the bandwagon with their own rendition.

And though the delicacy looks like three chemotherapy sessions in the same grid, we’re pretty certain that the taste far outweighs the cons.

Elsewhere in Singapore, you’ll also find a plethora of stores offering the in-demand delicacy. Some of the more recognisable options would include:

• Bakery Brera & Fine Foods
• Lolla
• Basque Kitchen by Aitor
• Olivia Restaurant & Lounge
• @meltedsg

And if you’re a sucker for short-distance trips, you’ll be glad to know that ever-present coffee chain The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf makes their own version of the delicacy as well!

Don’t Just Aspire To Be Gordon Ramsay… Be Gordon Ramsay

Uncomfortable with the notion of purchasing ready-make burnt cheesecakes because you’re unsure of just how much carcinogen the store-bought delicacy has?

Well, you can always make your own!

With a whole line of video tutorials up on the net, attaining a digital ‘live-action’ recipe is really just a click away.

And if you’re a more literal kind of person, here’s a classic straight-out-of-the-book recipe to get your arm revving!

Consisting of 9 steps in total, the recipe will get you your craved Basque burnt cheesecake within as little as 40 minutes. Just make sure to go easy on the whole ‘burning’ thing though.

Your body will thank you in years to come.