Beet Burnt Basque Cheesecake

👉🏻Ingredients list⚠️

• Cream cheese (softened at room temperature): 500 grams

• Granulated sugar: 150 grams

• Large eggs: 4

• Full-fat sour cream: 200 grams

• Cooked and mashed beetroot: 200 grams

• Cornstarch: 30 grams

• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon

• Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon

• Salt: a pinch

• Digestive biscuit crumbs (for the base): 150 grams

• Unsalted butter (melted): 75 grams

Beet Burnt Basque Cheesecake is a unique and enchanting dessert that combines the traditional Basque cheesecake with the innovative element of beetroot, creating a refreshing taste experience. This cake has a slightly burnt exterior and a moist, dense interior. The addition of beets not only adds natural sweetness and color to the cake but also brings rich nutritional value. Whether served as a snack for afternoon tea or a dessert for festive celebrations, Beet Burnt Basque Cheesecake can be a highlight on any table.

👉🏻✨DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the Base: Mix the digestive biscuit crumbs with the melted unsalted butter evenly, spread it at the bottom of the cake mold, press it firmly, and refrigerate it for later use.

2. Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition.

3. Add Sour Cream and Beetroot: Incorporate the full-fat sour cream, mashed beetroot, cornstarch, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt into the cheese mixture, continuing to mix until smooth and free of lumps.

4. Bake: Pour the cake batter into the mold with the prepared base, gently tapping out any air bubbles. Preheat the oven to 230°C, place the mold in the middle rack of the oven, and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cake surface forms a golden brown burnt layer while the interior remains moist.

5. Cool and Store: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool to room temperature in the mold. Then refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow it to set and develop flavor.

👉🏻✨TIPS

• The sweetness and color of the mashed beetroot can vary depending on the variety and cooking method, so adjust the amount according to personal taste.

• During baking, keep an eye on the cake's surface to avoid over-burning.

• The cake tastes better chilled, and ensure it is completely cooled and set before slicing.

👉🏻✨BENEFITS

• Beet Burnt Basque Cheesecake is not only delicious but also nutritious. Beetroot is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and folic acid, which help boost immunity, promote blood circulation, and cellular health. Meanwhile, cheese, as a source of high-quality protein and calcium, contributes to bone health and muscle repair.

👉🏻✨NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS:

• Protein: Derived from cream cheese and eggs, it is the basic building block of body cells and tissues.

• Carbohydrates: Provide energy, mainly from granulated sugar and the biscuit base.

• Fat: A source of healthy fats, such as saturated and monounsaturated fats in cream cheese, which help maintain cell structure and hormone balance.

• Vitamins: Vitamin C in beetroot helps boost immunity and facilitate iron absorption.

• Minerals: Cheese is rich in calcium, essential for bone health; meanwhile, potassium in beetroot helps maintain blood pressure balance.