From Kitchen to Luxury: How I Elevate Classic Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a classic dessert around the world. There are different versions and styles of cheesecake. Whether it’s New York, Japanese cotton, or Burnt Basque, there is a cheesecake out there that you are sure to like. Here in the States, the classic is the New York cheesecake, with its dense, creamy texture. 

When I first started developing my own cheesecake recipe, I wanted a solid base recipe that I could tweak depending on the flavor. What I didn’t expect was that I would end up developing eight base cheesecake recipes that I could manipulate as I needed. 

Defining the classic cheesecake is more than how it looks or tastes; it’s the ingredients used. In the states, cream cheese is the classic cheese used, along with sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and graham cracker crust to bring the cheesecake together. The methods used when making cheesecake, for example, pre-baking the crust so it doesn’t come out soggy, or a water bath for slow, even baking. Lastly, it is also the flavors and the creamy, rich texture that bring it all together. 

Elevating a dessert from everyday to premium is as simple as it is hard. Looking at things like the presentation, how one presents a cheesecake can show the quality. Beyond how it looks are the flavors. If one bakes a classic New York style, then great, but luxury calls for more. It’s not just strawberry jam, it’s strawberry kiwi jam with a balsamic vinegar drizzle on top. Once the flavors are considered, the experience of eating a cheesecake comes next. Celebrating someone special in your life or a quiet date night with wine. The experience can add to the luxury feel of the cheesecake. Just make sure to pair the right wine with your cheesecake.

Turning cheesecake into art. Putting a freshly baked cheesecake on a plate is one thing, but taking the time to decorate it for a special moment means much more. It’s the garnishes used that truly elevate a cheesecake. Freshly made marzipan or rich dark chocolate ganache adds another texture that blends seamlessly with the cheesecake. Bring a cheesecake to a party, and I make sure that the box is carefully wrapped with ribbon into a beautiful bow, just right for any occasion. 

Creating unique flavor pairings is something I do often. Over the past few years, I have built a flavor pairing chart. It lets me know which flavors work beautifully together and which wouldn’t make a good match. There are pairings like milk chocolate and peanut butter, but peanut butter works great with white or ruby chocolate, not just milk or dark. I created the chart so that I could make creative flavors, some known and some unheard of by people. 

Whether you drink tea, wine, or coffee with your cheesecake, that drink can enhance the experience. Eating a chocolate cheesecake and drinking coffee, or having a glass of Moscato wine with a slice of blackberry cheesecake. Sharing with loved ones, or a treat all to yourself. These things add to elevating an evening worth remembering.

When I elevate the cheesecakes I bake, I consider the ingredients and the presentation, as well as your future experience. When you bake at home, try experimenting and elevating your own desserts. Remember, luxury is in the small details, in anything you do.