Homemade Burnt Basque Cheesecake San Sebastian

Before you begin preparing the batter for the burnt Basque San Sebastian cheesecake, ensure your oven is preheated to 250 ºC. If the standard temperature isn't sufficient, activate the convection mode for even heating.

Prepare a baking pan with a diameter of 20 cm or slightly larger. To do this, take a sheet of parchment paper, crumple it well with your hands, and then line the pan with it so that the edges of the paper extend 3-5 cm beyond the sides of the pan. This will help you easily remove the finished cheesecake.

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla sugar with a whisk. Then, add the eggs and whisk vigorously again until the mixture is completely smooth. It's important to avoid using an electric mixer on high speeds, as this can create excess air bubbles, which are not desired for this dessert.

Now, incorporate the cornstarch, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and cream into the mixture. Stir well once more to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Your Basque cheesecake batter is now ready. Carefully pour it into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.

During this time, the San Sebastian cheesecake will rise significantly and develop a characteristic, very dark, almost "burnt" crust – this is exactly what we want! Remove the mold from the oven and let the cheesecake cool completely at room temperature. After that, refrigerate it for several hours, or even better, overnight, so that it fully stabilizes.

Be patient! It's crucial not to try to remove the Basque cheesecake from its pan too early, and especially not to cut it before it has completely cooled. Wait the allotted time, and you are guaranteed to be pleased with the result. Note that the burnt San Sebastian cheesecake will sink slightly as it cools—this is normal and not a mistake.

Once your cheesecake has fully set and cooled, carefully remove it from the mold by gently lifting the parchment paper edges. This famous Spanish dessert is now ready to serve! It is incredibly delicious and unique on its own, so it doesn't require any additional decorations or toppings.