Indulge in Our Creamy Creme Brulee Cheesecake – Heaven on a Plate!

Creme Brulee Cheesecake brings together two famous desserts into one amazing treat.

This special combination mixes the smoothness of cheesecake with the crispy caramel top of a French custard.

People who love sweets will be thrilled by the way these textures and flavors come together.

It offers a new take on favorite traditional desserts, making your dessert experience even better.

The layers of creamy cheese and light custard create a rich base that feels luxurious in every bite.

Both fancy and comforting, this dessert perfectly blends classic French style with American cheesecake charm.

Why Creme Brulee Cheesecake Feels So Elegant

• Impress with Elegance: Transform a classic dessert into a stunning showstopper that combines two beloved treats in one luxurious experience.
• Master Complex Techniques Effortlessly: Break down intricate steps like tempering eggs and caramelizing sugar into manageable, foolproof instructions that guarantee success for home bakers of all skill levels.
• Prepare Ahead with Ease: Design a make-ahead dessert that requires minimal last-minute effort, perfect for dinner parties or special occasions where you want maximum impact with minimal stress.
• Customize Your Dessert Adventure: Experiment with optional raspberry sauce or alternative fruit toppings, allowing personal creativity while maintaining the rich, creamy cheesecake foundation that everyone will adore.

Ingredients For Creme Brulee Cheesecake

• Graham Crackers: Classic base with a sweet, sandy texture great for holding the cheesecake together. Choose traditional honey or plain variety.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the crust. Granulated white sugar works best.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Fine table salt recommended.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps crumbs stick together. Unsalted butter preferred.

• Cream Cheese: Main component creating smooth, rich texture. Full-fat, room temperature cream cheese essential.
• Sugar: Sweetens the filling and contributes to creamy consistency. Granulated white sugar ideal.
• Egg Yolks: Creates silky texture and helps set the cheesecake. Fresh, large eggs recommended.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and helps create smooth filling. Higher fat content preferred.
• Caramel Extract, Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, complex flavor notes. Pure extracts recommended.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile. Fine sea salt works best.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates crisp caramelized top layer. White sugar works perfectly.
• Raspberries: Provides fresh, tart sauce for serving. Fresh or frozen acceptable.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens raspberry sauce and adds subtle acidity. Fresh lemon recommended.

How To Make Creme Brulee Cheesecake

Step 1: Craft the Crumbly Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan with two layers of foil.

• Sugar
• Salt
• Melted butter

Press mixture into pan bottom. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely. Reduce oven to 325°F.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Filling

• Sugar
• Caramel extract
• Vanilla
• Salt

Warm heavy cream in saucepan until steaming. Whisk egg yolks until pale yellow. Slowly incorporate warm cream to temper eggs. Strain cream mixture and fold gently into cream cheese base.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into cooled crust. Place springform pan in deep roasting pan. Add hot water halfway up pan sides. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour 30 minutes until center barely wobbles. Turn off oven. Let cheesecake rest in water bath. Refrigerate overnight.

Step 4: Create Crispy Caramel Top

Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly across cheesecake surface. Use kitchen torch to caramelize sugar until golden and crackling.

Step 5: Prepare Raspberry Drizzle

Simmer raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice in saucepan until syrupy. Strain if desired. Drizzle over cheesecake.

Step 6: Slice and Savor

Cut into decadent slices. Enjoy the ultimate dessert experience!

Helpful Tips For Creme Brulee Cheesecake

• Customize Crust for Texture: Experiment with different cookie bases like gingersnaps or shortbread to add unique flavor profiles and interesting crunch to your graham cracker foundation.
• Prevent Cheesecake Cracking: Slow cool the cheesecake in the water bath with oven door slightly open to minimize temperature shock and reduce potential surface cracks.
• Master Egg Tempering Technique: Pour warm cream gradually into egg yolks while constantly whisking to create a smooth custard base without scrambling the eggs.
• Control Sugar Caramelization: Move kitchen torch slowly and evenly across the surface, maintaining consistent distance to achieve a uniform golden-brown caramel layer without burning.
• Enhance Raspberry Sauce: Add a splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur to the raspberry sauce for deeper complexity and a subtle citrus undertone that complements the rich cheesecake.

Storing Creme Brulee Cheesecake The Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cheesecake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out or absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the whole cheesecake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, which can make the texture soggy and compromise the crispy caramel topping.
• Best Serving: For optimal taste and texture, consume within 3-4 days. Bring to room temperature for 20 minutes before enjoying to enhance flavors and restore creamy consistency.

What To Pair With Creme Brulee Cheesecake

• Complement Caramel Notes: Serve a glass of tawny port wine, whose rich butterscotch and nutty undertones beautifully mirror the dessert's deep caramel flavors.
• Enhance Creamy Texture: Pair with a chilled espresso martini, creating a luxurious contrast between the silky cheesecake and the crisp, bold cocktail.
• Highlight Fruity Raspberry Accent: Match with a sparkling rosé champagne, whose delicate bubbles and light berry hints wonderfully complement the raspberry sauce.
• Balance Decadent Profile: Offer a small glass of Drambuie liqueur, its honeyed whiskey base providing a warm, smooth counterpoint to the cheesecake's richness.

Creme Brulee Cheesecake Variations To Try

• Gluten-Free Crust Option: Replace graham crackers with gluten-free graham-style crackers or almond flour mixed with melted butter for a crunchy, celiac-friendly base.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a lactose-free version.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Create a nut-based crust using crushed pecans or almonds, replace sugar with stevia or erythritol, and use full-fat cream cheese to align with ketogenic dietary requirements.
• Seasonal Berry Swap: Substitute raspberry sauce with seasonal fruit compotes like strawberry, blueberry, or passion fruit for a fresh, vibrant flavor profile that changes with the harvest.

FAQs About Creme Brulee Cheesecake

• How do I prevent my cheesecake from cracking?

Use a water bath during baking, avoid overmixing the batter, and let the cheesecake cool gradually in the oven with the door slightly open. Room temperature ingredients also help create a smooth, crack-free surface.

• Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?

Yes, this cheesecake is perfect for making in advance. You can prepare it up to 3 days before serving and keep it refrigerated. The overnight chilling actually improves the texture and flavor.

• What if I don't have a kitchen torch?

No worries! You can caramelize the sugar topping under the broiler. Place the cheesecake about 4 inches from the broiler and watch carefully, rotating to ensure even caramelization. It takes about 2-3 minutes, but keep a close eye to prevent burning.

• Is it necessary to use caramel extract?

While caramel extract adds depth, you can substitute with vanilla extract or even add a tablespoon of caramel sauce to the cheesecake batter for similar flavor. The cheesecake will still be delicious without the exact extract.

Velvety Creme Brulee Cheesecake Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy Creme Brulee Cheesecake marries classic French dessert elegance with rich American cheesecake tradition. Golden caramelized sugar crackles over smooth, velvety layers, creating a luxurious dessert experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Cheesecake Base):

• 3 blocks (8 ounces/226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 10 large egg yolks
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 ⅓ cups (266 grams) granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons caramel extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Crust Components:

• 14 graham crackers, crushed
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Topping and Sauce:

• Granulated sugar (for caramelized topping)
• 10 ounces (283 grams) fresh or frozen raspberries
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust graham cracker foundation by pulverizing crackers into fine, uniform crumbs. Integrate sugar, salt, and melted butter to create a cohesive mixture that will anchor the cheesecake’s base.
2. Press the crumb mixture firmly into a foil-wrapped springform pan, ensuring an even layer that provides structural integrity. Bake briefly to set the crust, then allow it to cool completely while reducing oven temperature.
3. Whip cream cheese in a stand mixer until silky smooth, gradually incorporating sugar, caramel extract, vanilla, and salt. Achieve a luxurious, lump-free consistency that promises a velvety texture.
4. Gently warm heavy cream in a saucepan until it reaches a steaming point, taking care not to allow boiling. Simultaneously, transform egg yolks into a pale, aerated mixture by vigorous whisking.
5. Execute a delicate tempering technique by gradually introducing warm cream into the egg yolks, stirring continuously to prevent curdling. Strain the resulting custard base to ensure supreme smoothness.
6. Fold the tempered cream mixture into the cream cheese base with a gentle hand, maintaining the delicate airiness developed during previous steps.
7. Transfer the silky batter into the prepared crust, positioning the springform pan within a deep roasting pan. Create a water bath by carefully pouring hot water to reach midway up the pan’s exterior.
8. Bake at a moderate temperature, allowing the cheesecake to set with a subtle jiggle at its center. Once complete, turn off the oven and permit the cheesecake to cool gradually within its warm water sanctuary.
9. Refrigerate the cheesecake overnight, allowing flavors to meld and texture to become impeccably dense and creamy.
10. Just before serving, sprinkle a delicate layer of granulated sugar across the cheesecake’s surface. Utilize a kitchen torch to transform the sugar into a glassy, caramelized crust with mesmerizing golden hues.
11. Craft a vibrant raspberry sauce by simmering fresh raspberries with sugar and a hint of lemon juice. Strain the sauce if a smoother consistency is desired, then elegantly drizzle over the caramelized cheesecake.

Notes

• Prevent Crust Crumbling by ensuring graham cracker mixture is well-compacted and evenly pressed into the pan before initial baking.
• Temper Eggs Carefully by gradually introducing warm cream to prevent scrambling, which maintains a silky smooth cheesecake texture.
• Control Water Bath Temperature by using hot water when creating the bain-marie, helping the cheesecake cook evenly and prevent cracking.
• Torch

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 175 mg