Dessert Recipes

Lemon Saffron Basque Cheesecake

One of our favorite party tricks! This rustic, crustless twist on cheesecake is so much easier to make than a regular one: just mix the batter together, pour it into a springform pan, bake it until it’s juuust shy of burnt on top, then watch it collapse into a perfectly browned cheesecake as it cools. With hints of tangy lemon and subtle, floral saffron, it’s perfectly custard-like without being overly sweet — so you can enjoy an extra slice without feeling like you’re overindulging.

Servings: 6 to 8

Lemon Saffron Basque Cheesecake
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Dessert

Lemon Saffron Basque Cheesecake

Ingredients

Cooking spray
2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
6 Gelson’s Organic Large Eggs
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp saffron threads
Zest of one lemon

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400º. Lightly grease a 9” springform pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. Wrap the outside of the pan with aluminum foil and place it on a rimmed sheet pan.
  2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy and the sugar is dissolved, 4 minutes. 
  3. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs, one at a time, beating until fully incorporated between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, saffron, and lemon zest and beat on low speed until the batter is smooth, about 3 minutes. 
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the cake is a deep golden brown and very jiggly in the center. Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. The cake will deflate significantly during this time. 
  6. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Remove the cake from the springform pan, slice and serve. Leftover cake will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Recipe adapted from: Bon Appétit 

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