Description
A rich and creamy cheesecake with a bruleed vanilla bean topping that adds a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 graham crackers, broken into pieces
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 450 grams cream cheese, at room temperature
- 120 millilitres sour cream
- 100 grams granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 50 grams superfine sugar, divided
- Spun sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C.
- In a food processor, pulse graham crackers with granulated sugar and kosher salt until finely ground.
- Add melted butter and pulse until evenly combined.
- Press mixture firmly into the base and up the sides of a 23-centimetre round tart pan with removable bottom.
- Place pan on a baking sheet and bake until dry and set, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
- In a clean food processor, blend cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla seeds or extract, and a pinch of kosher salt just until smooth. Do not overmix.
- Pour cheesecake batter into the cooled crust, smoothing top evenly.
- Bake cheesecake at 175°C until filling is just set, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Transfer pan to a wire rack and cool for 1 hour. Then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Before serving, sift 1 tablespoon superfine sugar evenly over the surface of the chilled cheesecake, avoiding the crust.
- Caramelize sugar with a small kitchen blowtorch by sweeping flame back and forth over the surface, concentrating towards the centre to avoid burning the crust.
- Repeat with the remaining tablespoon superfine sugar to create a second evenly brûléed layer.
- Top the cheesecake with spun sugar.
- To serve, slice with a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts for neat slices.
Notes
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- For even baking, avoid opening the oven door frequently.
- Spun sugar can be made ahead of time and stored in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg