| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 450 | 30g | 18g | 40g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 30g | 2g | 6g | 0.5g |
There’s something special about this Raspberry Cheesecake that I can’t resist. Maybe it’s the way the tartness of the raspberry tangos with the creaminess of the filling, or perhaps it’s how the buttery graham cracker crust subtly supports the other flavors. Everywhere you look, from Southern America to West Africa, every cuisine has a dish that stands out for its flawless pallet balancing, and for me, this Raspberry Cheesecake is one of those dishes.
A Symphony of Flavors
I love how the Raspberry Cheesecake recipe mingles diverse tastes to create a symphony of flavors. The fusion of smooth and subtly sweet cream cheese filling works wonders with the raspberry topping’s mild tartness, much like the harmony within an Afro-Southern fusion dish artfully combines spices with the warmth of Southern comfort foods. In fact, this dessert might pair perfectly with an Afro-Southern main course, like jollof rice with a side of sweet cornbread.
Incorporating Healthy Ingredients
Though it’s hard to imagine a traditional dessert like cheesecake being beneficial to your health, many ingredients in this recipe bring their unique health advantages to the table. For instance, raspberries are a powerhouse of antioxidants and fiber. Consuming raspberries can help lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even certain kinds of cancer (source). Eggs and cream cheese provide a valuable amount of protein, while the calcium in the sour cream is beneficial for bone health.
This Raspberry Cheesecake is a reinterpretation of a classic dessert. It shares similarities with other cheesecakes, like the New York-Style cheesecake, which also uses a cream cheese base, or the no-bake raspberry cheesecake, which uses raspberries but in a different form. Each version holds its unique place, but I find ours to be particularly delightful. It’s a dessert that reminds you that sometimes, a fusion of flavors can create something extraordinarily delightful.
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 0.25 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 0.25 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl. Mix until the crumbs are well coated in butter. Press this crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form the base of the cheesecake.
Step Two
In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring you incorporate each fully before adding the next. Then, beat in the sour cream and flour until the mixture is smooth.
Step Three
Pour this cream cheese mixture over your prepared crust in the springform pan. Smooth the top with a spatula, and then bake in your preheated oven for 50-60 minutes. The cheesecake is ready when the edges are set and the center only jiggles slightly when you move the pan.
Step Four
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Once it has cooled, refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Step Five
While the cake cools, prepare the raspberry topping. In a small saucepan, combine the raspberries, water, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool.
Step Six
Once the cheesecake is chilled, release it from the springform pan. Spread the cooled raspberry sauce over the top of the cheesecake. Slice and serve. Enjoy your homemade Raspberry Cheesecake!
