Loaf Pan Basque Cheesecake Recipe

The Perfect Loaf Pan Basque Cheesecake Recipe: Rustic & Dreamy

Rich and velvety Basque cheesecake changes traditional dessert expectations with its rustic, free-form aesthetic.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike celebrate this distinctive culinary creation for its elegant simplicity.

Cracked surfaces and caramelized edges reveal a delightfully unexpected approach to classic cheesecake preparation.

Soft, creamy interiors contrast beautifully against beautifully burnt exterior boundaries, creating a sensory experience that delights sophisticated palates.

Minimal ingredients combine to produce maximum flavor, showcasing how sophisticated techniques can elevate humble components.

Professional kitchens and home environments both welcome this approachable yet impressive dessert technique.

The recipe offers an opportunity to master a technique that appears effortless yet requires precise understanding.

Storing and Reheating Basque Cheesecake for Best Results

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover cheesecake in an airtight container, covering the surface with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Keep chilled for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months, preserving the cake's delicate texture.
  • Reheat: Thaw refrigerated or frozen cheesecake in the fridge overnight. For best results, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore its creamy consistency.

Pair This Cheesecake with Coffee, Cream, or Berries

  • Pair with Fruity Wines: Match the creamy cheesecake with a crisp Riesling or Moscato d'Asti, which cut through the richness and complement its caramelized sweetness.
  • Enjoy with Espresso: The bold, robust flavor of a freshly brewed espresso balances the cheesecake's smooth texture, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.
  • Serve with Berry Compote: Top the cheesecake with a vibrant mixed berry compote, adding a tangy and bright element that enhances the dessert's creamy profile.
  • Complement with Aged Port: An elegant aged port wine provides a luxurious pairing, its deep, complex notes harmonizing beautifully with the cheesecake's rich caramelized surface.

Creative Flavors to Try in Your Next Basque Loaf

  • Mini Ramekin Delicacy: Divide the batter into individual ramekins for personalized servings, reducing baking time to 15-20 minutes and creating adorable single-portion desserts.
  • Citrus Zest Edition: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the batter for a bright, refreshing flavor profile that adds subtle complexity to the traditional cheesecake.
  • Chocolate Swirl Style: Gently fold melted dark chocolate into half the batter, creating a marbled effect that introduces rich chocolate undertones to the classic recipe.
  • Nutty Crunch Version: Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or pecans on top before baking, adding a delightful textural contrast to the creamy cheesecake base.

Loaf Pan Basque Cheesecake That’s Burnt, Creamy, and Bold

  • Craft Creamy Comfort: This recipe delivers a velvety smooth cheesecake with luxurious texture that melts perfectly in your mouth, creating a delightful sensory experience with every single bite.
  • Simplify Baking Magic: Requires minimal ingredients and straightforward technique, making it an approachable dessert for both novice and experienced bakers who want to create a stunning yet uncomplicated treat.
  • Elevate Dessert Elegance: Features a gorgeous golden-brown caramelized top that adds sophisticated visual appeal and depth of flavor, transforming a classic cheesecake into a gourmet-style dessert perfect for impressive gatherings or personal indulgence.
  • Customize Flavor Potential: Offers flexibility for subtle variations by potentially adding vanilla extract, lemon zest, or other complementary ingredients, allowing home bakers to personalize the cheesecake while maintaining its classic Basque-style essence.

Ingredients to Make Loaf Pan Basque Cheesecake

Dairy Base:
  • Cream Cheese: Soft, tangy base that provides creamy texture and rich flavor, best when at room temperature.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious smoothness and helps create a velvety batter, full-fat version recommended.
Sweeteners:
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Smooth sweetener that dissolves easily and provides delicate sweetness without graininess.
Binding Agents:
  • Eggs, Egg Yolk: Crucial for structure and richness, help bind ingredients and create smooth consistency.
  • Cornstarch: Stabilizes the batter, prevents cracking, and ensures a silky texture.

How to Bake and Cool a Perfect Basque Cheesecake

Step 1: Craft the Silky Batter

Grab cream cheese and let it warm to room temperature for smooth blending.

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine:
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Confectioners' sugar

Whip until ultra-creamy and lump-free.

Sprinkle in cornstarch and blend thoroughly.

Gently incorporate eggs and egg yolk, one by one, ensuring each is fully mixed.

Stream in heavy cream, whisking until the batter looks luxuriously velvety.

Step 2: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 428°F (220°C).

Drape parchment paper inside the loaf pan, allowing generous overhang for easy lifting.

Step 3: Transform Batter into Magic

Pour the silky mixture into the prepared pan.

Smooth the surface with a gentle touch.

Slide into the hot oven.

Bake for about 28 minutes until the top turns golden and edges develop a beautiful caramel-like crust.

Step 4: Patience Brings Perfection

Rescue the cheesecake from the oven.

Let it rest and cool completely at room temperature.

Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to dance and texture to settle.

Step 5: Slice and Celebrate

Carefully lift the cheesecake using parchment paper.

Slice into elegant wedges.

Serve chilled and relish the creamy, rustic delight.

Tips for Getting the Signature Burnt Top and Soft Center

  • Master Room Temperature Ingredients: Let cream cheese, eggs, and heavy cream sit out for 30-60 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free batter.
  • Create Perfect Parchment Lining: Crease parchment paper deliberately to create rustic, slightly wrinkled edges that give the classic Basque cheesecake signature look.
  • Watch Baking Time Carefully: Golden-brown top with slightly jiggly center indicates perfect doneness; avoid overbaking to maintain creamy interior.
  • Chill Completely Before Serving: Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to develop and texture to set, resulting in a rich, dense cheesecake.
  • Use Clean Cuts for Presentation: Warm a sharp knife under hot water and wipe dry between each slice to achieve clean, precise cuts through the delicate cheesecake.
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Loaf Pan Basque Cheesecake Recipe

Loaf Pan Basque Cheesecake Recipe


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4.7 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 38 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Basque cheesecake brings silky elegance from Spanish culinary traditions with its rustic, cracked exterior and luxurious inner cream. Creamy layers melt in your mouth, promising a delightful escape into rich, caramelized perfection that lingers long after the last heavenly bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 360 grams (12.7 ounces) cream cheese
  • 3 whole eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) heavy cream

Sweeteners:

  • 70 grams (2.5 ounces) confectioners’ sugar

Thickeners:

  • 10 grams (0.35 ounces) cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Unwrap cream cheese and allow it to soften completely at ambient temperature to ensure seamless blending and eliminate potential lumps.
  2. Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar in a spacious mixing vessel until achieving a silky, uniform consistency without any visible granules.
  3. Sift cornstarch directly into the cream cheese mixture, incorporating thoroughly to prevent potential clumping and create a smooth base.
  4. Introduce eggs and egg yolk individually, gently folding after each addition to maintain the batter’s delicate structure and prevent overmixing.
  5. Stream heavy cream into the mixture, stirring with a gentle motion until the batter transforms into a luxuriously velvety texture with a consistent pale color.
  6. Position oven rack to center position and preheat to 428°F, allowing adequate time for complete temperature stabilization.
  7. Carefully drape parchment paper inside the loaf pan, pressing against sides and corners to create protective walls that extend slightly above pan edges.
  8. Transfer the luscious batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to distribute evenly and eliminate potential air pockets.
  9. Slide the pan into the preheated oven, baking until the surface develops a rich golden-brown caramelization and the edges exhibit a slightly darker, crisp appearance.
  10. Extract the cheesecake from the oven, placing it on a cooling rack to normalize temperature gradually without rapid temperature shifts.
  11. Once reaching room temperature, relocate the cheesecake to the refrigerator and allow it to set overnight, enabling flavors to harmonize and texture to firm.
  12. When ready to serve, delicately slice the cheesecake using a heated knife, presenting the contrasting caramelized exterior and creamy interior.

Notes

  • Soften cream cheese completely to room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing ensuring perfect texture.
  • Use precise mixing technique by adding ingredients gradually and beating thoroughly between each addition to create a velvety, consistent batter.
  • Parchment paper lining is crucial for easy removal and maintaining the cake’s delicate rustic appearance with perfectly caramelized edges.
  • Baking temperature is critical – high heat creates the signature burnished exterior while keeping the interior creamy and soft.
  • Overnight chilling allows complex flavors to develop and helps the cheesecake set to the ideal consistency for slicing and serving.
  • Serve chilled for best taste experience, highlighting the contrast between the golden caramelized top and silky smooth interior.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Basque

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 370
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 130mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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