Cake guide
What is Spanish cheesecake?
By Saule Soltanova, Co-founder & Head Baker
Published · Updated
Spanish cheesecake — often called Basque cheesecake — is a cheesecake baked at a high heat, so the top turns dark and caramelized while the center stays soft and custardy. It is creamier and less dense than New York cheesecake.
Where Spanish cheesecake comes from
The style is usually traced to La Viña, a bar in San Sebastián in the Basque Country of Spain, where Santiago Rivera began baking it around 1990. The original is made without a crust and baked very hot, which is what gives it the deep brown, almost burnt top. That look is why you will also see it called “burnt Basque cheesecake.”
Spanish vs New York cheesecake
| Feature | Spanish (Basque) style | New York style |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Dark, caramelized | Pale, smooth |
| Center | Soft and custardy | Firm and dense |
| Baking | Short and very hot | Long and gentle |
| Crust | Traditionally none | Graham cracker |
Our Spanish Cheesecake
Our menu describes it as: “A tender Spanish-style cheesecake with a rich, creamy flavor, a lightly caramelized top and a soft, custardy center.”
- Price: $38
- Weight: 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)
- Serves about 9–11
- Contains: milk, eggs, wheat
Order the Spanish Cheesecake online for pickup at 350 Promenade Way, Suite 500, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Choose a pickup date to check current availability. It is also one of the base flavors for a custom cake.
Quick answers
- Is Basque cheesecake the same as Spanish cheesecake?
- Yes. Basque cheesecake is the Spanish style from San Sebastián, so the two names are used for the same kind of cheesecake.
- Is the top supposed to look burnt?
- Yes. The dark top is caramelized on purpose by the hot bake — that is the style.
- Is your Spanish Cheesecake gluten-free?
- No. It contains milk, eggs, wheat. Please inform us of any allergies. All cakes are made in a facility that processes nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, and soy.
- Is your Spanish Cheesecake halal?
- Yes, all our cakes are halal, and there's no alcohol in any of them — we don't use alcohol at all.