4 Cheese Cheesecake
This decadent cheesecake combines ricotta, baker's cheese, cream cheese and mascarpone for a uniquely rich flavour and texture. The batter is carefully blended and baked in a crumb-lined springform pan, then left to cool slowly in the oven. After chilling thoroughly, it's ready to be served plain or with a fruit topping. The recipe yields one 9-inch cake, suitable for 8 to 10 people.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese, drained
- 8 ounces baker cheese (can substitute Farmer's cheese, pot cheese, or cottage cheese)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, drained if wet
- 1/2 cup sweet unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 medium lemon, juice of
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (good quality)
- 3 tablespoons flour (all-purpose)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups very finely crushed zwieback crackers or 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, approximately
- pie filling or fruit, glaze (optional)
Method
- Set your oven to heat to 350°F.
- Generously coat the base and inner walls of a 9x3-inch springform pan with butter.
- Sprinkle fine Zwieback crumbs into the pan, pressing them firmly onto the bottom and about 1/2 to 1 inch up the sides. set the pan aside.
- Sift the flour and cornstarch together into a small container and set this aside.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until the mixture thickens and the sugar is fully dissolved, then set it aside.
- Combine the ricotta and baker's cheese, then press them through a fine sieve using a wooden spoon into a large mixing bowl.
- Using a mixer, beat these cheeses for about 2 minutes until they become creamy.
- Incorporate the cream cheese, beating on a low setting for approximately 1 minute until fully combined.
- Add the mascarpone and blend it in by hand with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Mix in the melted butter by hand until it is well incorporated.
- Stir the egg and sugar mixture into the cheese blend by hand until uniform.
- Add the sifted flour and cornstarch, stirring until completely mixed in.
- Blend in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Gently fold the sour cream into the cheesecake batter.
- Firmly tap the bowl of batter on your counter several times to bring air bubbles to the surface.
- If needed, draw a spatula through the batter to pop any remaining air pockets.
- Pour the batter slowly into the prepared pan, then lightly tap the pan on the counter to dislodge final bubbles.
- Position the cheesecake on the middle oven rack and bake at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes.
- Switch off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside, without opening the door, for 60 minutes more.
- Take the cake from the oven and let it cool further on a wire rack.
- Once completely cool, cover it and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours before serving.
- To serve, carefully run a thin knife or icing spatula around the edge between the cake and the pan sides.
- Detach the springform pan's side, leaving the cake on its base for presentation.
- For an optional finish, you can top the cake with fresh fruit, pie filling or a fruit glaze.
Nutrition (per serving)
Sodium560200 mg
Recipe details
CategoryDessert
AuthorDee514