An Attempt (Baked Goods): Basque Cheesecake
“An Attempt” is a reoccurring series on Natetheworld.com. In the series, we take a recipe found via a cookbook, website, or app, and attempt to recreate it using the instructions provided. “An Attempt (Baked Goods)” is my current writing project and focuses solely on baked treats.
Recipe: To read the original recipe, please click here.
Introduction: When it comes to cooking or baking for the holidays, I overdo it. With simple requests that everyone bring a side dish, I always bring two or three. I am a kid from a big family. There is some part of me that will always wonder if there is enough food for everyone. This year, I intended things to be different. Once again, I failed.
For this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, I made Smoked Duck, Roasted Cauliflower with Chipotle and Lime, and a Basque Cheesecake.
I love cheesecake. I love it so much that I should have been the fifth roommate on The Golden Girls. Without a doubt, Sophia and I would have been best friends. Despite my love affair with the dessert, I have never attempted to make my own. While scrolling through The New York Times Cooking app to find inspiration, I stumbled across the recipe for Basque Cheesecake. Instantly, I felt called by the spirits of Blanche, Dorthy, Rose, and Sophia to give it a shot.
Reaction: Hailing from the Basque region of Spain, this cheesecake is velvety, crustless, and browned to near perfection on top. I found it simple to assemble, and its rustic presentation was alluring. But don’t let looks fool you. This cheesecake is delicious and not overly sweet.
I was shocked by how easily everything came together. Watching it rise in the oven, expand, and then brown on top, I had a sneaky suspicion I knocked this one out of the park. Hours later, with a stomach bloated from my second helping of Thanksgiving goodness, I finally dug into my creation. My suspicions were correct. This is one of those desserts I cannot wait to make again for anyone who lets me.
Be good to each other,
Nathan
