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Mother's Day Cheesecake (Basque, Walnut Shortbread Crust)

A decadent, not-too-sweet cheesecake with a walnut shortbread crust, perfectly sized for a 6-inch cake.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Chill time3 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Canadian, Spanish
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: Cake, Celebration, Cheesecake, Spring/Summer, Walnuts
Servings: 6

Equipment

  • 6 inch round cake tin

Ingredients

For the cheesecake

  • 500 g 2 blocks cream cheese (full fat), softened
  • 100 g table cream 18% MF
  • 80 g sugar see note 1
  • 2 eggs
  • 20 g 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • ½ tsp orange blossom water

For the crust

  • 65 g walnuts crushed
  • 15 g icing sugar
  • 30 g flour
  • 25 g salted butter melted
  • Dash cardamom powder

To decorate (optional)

  • 5-8 strawberries
  • Dandelions magnolias, or other edible flowers
  • Powdered sugar matcha powder, spirulina powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 355 F. Line a 6-inch round cake tin with parchment paper along the sides. If your cake pan is not springform, line the bottom with parchment paper as well.
  • Combine all of the crust ingredients and press the mixture into the bottom of the cake tin.
  • In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed, or with a hardy wooden spoon and a bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until well combined.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, to the cream cheese mixture. Mix well and scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
  • Then add the cornstarch, vanilla, and orange blossom water. Mix to combine. Add the table cream last. The batter should be pourable and smooth. If there are lumps of cream cheese in the batter, scrape down the bowl and continue mixing until smooth, taking care not to beat in too much air.
  • Pour the batter into the lined cake tin. If using a springform cake tin, put a tray or pan under the cake tin to catch any leaks (see note 2). Bake for 45 to 55 minutes in preheated oven (see note 3).
  • Let cheesecake cool in the oven with the oven door cracked open for 20 minutes. Then take out cheesecake and let cool at room temperature. Chill the cheesecake in the fridge for at least 3 hours before removing from the cake tin.
  • Once the cheesecake is well chilled. Carefully remove from cake tin and peel off parchment paper. If desired, decorate with fresh fruit and edible flowers.

Notes

1. This cheesecake has a low level of sweetness. Feel free to increase the sugar amount if you prefer a sweeter cheesecake.
2. A tray under your springform cake tin is always a good idea for easy cleanup. Even where the cheesecake does not leak in the oven, sometimes moisture leaks out during cooling in the fridge.
3. If you prefer a more custard-like cheesecake, bake for 45 minutes. The top will be set but will retain a slight jiggle. If you prefer your cheesecake more done, bake for 55 minutes. The top will have more color and the cheesecake will not jiggle. Baking time may vary based on your oven.