Tiramisu Cheesecake, Espresso Glaze

19 Replies

tiramisu-cheesecake-with-coffee-glaze

Very few people will refuse a piece of cheesecake.  I have found this to be a universal truth — except when it’s not — like last week, when I hosted my first ever CHEESECAKE GIVEAWAY.

The long and short of it is that no one showed up.  And it was almost time for me to go home for the day — and I couldn’t take it with me.  No, no, no.  Howard and I had quite enough of this indulgent full-fat homemade mascarpone cheese filling, rum, ladyfinger crumb crust and coffee (espresso) extract glaze.

Next time, I won’t require the winner to tell me that “Island Vittles Rocks!”  I guess I found the limit of what Penderites will do for a free piece of cheesecake.

 

 

tiramisu-cheesecake

In the end, it was Roger, the skilled craftsmen who built our deck last spring who won the cheesecake by default.  He had no idea about the giveaway, but he walked in the store at the right time (and he did a really good job on our deck).

ladyfinger-crumb-crust mascarpone-cheesecake-filling
baked-tiramisu-cheesecake coffee-glazed-tiramisu-cheesecake

As for the cheesecake itself, I have to tell you you’re sorry you missed it.  New York in style, Italian in flavour, Pender in execution.

The tastes are rich and decadent, but not overbearing.  The rum is subtle, the mascarpone create a slightly soft texture, the ladyfinger crust is less sweet than the traditional graham version, and the espresso crowns it all — and provides the “pick-me-up” — the literal translation of Tiramisu.

coffee-glaze

My Culinary Skills Instructor, Chef P, taught us to bake cheesecakes low and slow.  (My words, not his.  His often involved a thick, near unintelligible french accent.)   As you’ll see this cheesecake is baked at 200° F for 3 -4 hours.  A long time, yes.  And worth every minute.  No cracks on the top, and a texture so soft, people will think you baked it in a water bath.

This cake should be baked the day before you plan to serve it.  Glaze it the morning of your event and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

: Tiramisu Cheesecake, Espresso Glaze

: This cake should be baked the day before you plan to serve it. Glaze it the morning of your event and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

  • Ladyfingers, processed into fine crumbs – 7 oz (200 g)
  • Sugar – ¼ C (40 g)
  • Melted Butter – ¼ C (80 g)
  • Mascarpone Cheese (at room temp) – 1 lb (500 g)
  • Cream Cheese (at room temp) – 1 lb (500 g)
  • Sugar – 1 C (160 g)
  • Rum – ¼ C (60 g)
  • Cornstarch – ¼ C (30 g)
  • Salt - ½ t (3 ml)
  • Eggs, at room temp – 4
  • Coffee Extract or Double Strength Espresso (at room temp) – ½ C (125 ml)
  • Boiling Water – ½ C (125 g)
  • Gelatin – 1 t (5 ml)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F, and set the rack in the centre. Brush the sides of a 9” springform pan with melted butter.
  2. Combine the ladyfingers, sugar and melted butter in a bowl and stir well. Press the crumbs firmly into a 9” springform pan, covering the bottom and halfway up the sides. Bake 5-7 min. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  3. Reduce the oven temp to 200° F. Leave the oven door open for a few moments to dissipate the heat.
  4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the mascarpone, cream cheese and sugar on low speed until well mixed. Add the rum, cornstarch and salt and beat on low speed to combine. Switch to the whisk attachment. With the motor on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, and continue to whisk until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour the batter into the pan, burst any surface bubbles with a toothpick, and bake in the oven for 3 to 4 hours, until set in the centre. Cool on a rack. When completely cool, place the cake on a large plate, cover and refrigerate overnight.
  6. To make the glaze, dissolve the gelatine in the boiling water and stir well to dissolve completely. Stir in the coffee extract or espresso. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  7. With the cake on a level surface, gently pour the glaze onto the centre of the cake, stopping before the glaze spills over the edges. Refrigerate until set.
  8. To serve, release the side spring and slice.

Notes:

  • The filling can also be assembled using a wooden spoon and some muscle.  Ensure the cheeses are at room temperature to make the job easier.  It also helps to stand on a stool while mixing – the extra height gives you a bit of leverage.
  • My cake took 3½ hours to cook.

Preparation time: 1 hour(s)

Cooking time: 3 hour(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

Meal type: dessert

 

cheesecake-rum-anglaise

 

19 thoughts on “Tiramisu Cheesecake, Espresso Glaze”

  2. Rochelle (Acquired Taste)

    Silly silly people not showing up for this divine looking cheesecake and only needing to tell you that you rock. Tsk tsk! If I were closer I would have definitely said so! I’m sure that Roger was thrilled and totally deserved it anyways :D

    Reply ↓
  4. Cooking Rookie

    What a beautiful cake – a great combination both tiramisu and a cheesecake! It’s the first time I hear about baking a cheesecake for 3-4 hours at 200F, but if the cake will look like yours, it’s certainly worth a try! Thanks for the recipe and the tip!

    Reply ↓
  6. Casey Angelova

    Holy cow that looks amazing! I am salivating just thinking about the deliciousness of that cheesecake. If you have any extra cheesecakes that you need to get rid of you can alway mail it to Bulgaria… I’m just saying!

    Reply ↓
  10. Susan

    Hey Theresa! I thought I was too late cause i read the post the day after when the Market was closed – was totally on my way to tell you Island Vittles Rocks !!! Now Laughing because apparently I wasn’t too late :)

    Reply ↓
    1. Theresa

      Sue, maybe next time…can’t keep making all this food and eating it all ourselves…I’m sure another “giveaway” is coming around the bend anytime…especially when I get home and practice all this pastry stuff I’m learning this week!

      Reply ↓
  12. John

    I’m always looking for the next sweetest taste of sin and I think that I have just found another one here!:)

    Reply ↓
    1. Theresa

      I sooooo recommend the cheesecake…it served an army, and everyone who had a piece said it was the best they`d ever had…thanks for stopping by! Theresa

      Reply ↓

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