Basque Lemon Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 500 grams cream cheese, at room temperature
• 150 grams caster sugar
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 3 large eggs (size 7)
• 250 ml cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoons plain flour

Method:

1. Prepare the Pan:

   • Grease a 22cm springform cake tin and line it fully with baking paper, ensuring the paper comes at least 2cm above the rim of the tin. This helps with the cheesecake’s dramatic rise and fall.

2. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).

3. Mix Ingredients:

   • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, caster sugar, and lemon zest together until completely smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Rub a bit between your fingers to check for granules.
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is combined.
   • Beat in the cream, vanilla extract, and sea salt until combined.
   • Sift the plain flour over the mixture and beat for about 20 seconds until smooth.

4. Bake the Cheesecake:

   • Pour the batter into the prepared tin.
   • Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is dark brown and puffed up, but the center still has a slight wobble.

5. Cool and Serve:

   • Allow the cheesecake to cool completely in the tin. It will fall quite a bit as it cools.
   • Gently peel off the baking paper and slice into wedges to serve.

6. Storage:

   • You can make the cheesecake up to 1 day ahead. Cover and chill it in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the fridge a couple of hours before serving to bring it back to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

Tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature to achieve a smooth and lump-free batter.
• Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing can incorporate excess air into the batter, leading to cracks. Mix just until smooth.
• Cooling: If you want to avoid cracks, let the cheesecake cool in the oven with the door slightly ajar. This gradual cooling can help prevent sudden temperature changes.

Enjoy your homemade cheesecake! It’s a timeless dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.