Caramel-Ginger Cheesecake

By

The Local Palate, October 2014, page 54.

We use this cheesecake recipe at Brasabana. Since the food is Latin-themed, this is a cross between a rich cheesecake and a light airy flan. Ginger slices through the heavy tone of the cheese and cream, leaving a mild spicy and floral note.

Recipe by Chef Jeremy Ashby of Brasabana Cuban Cuisine and AZUR Restaurant & Patio, Lexington, Kentucky

Photo by Sarah Jane Sanders

  • 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Step 1

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a 9-inch cake pan, add sugar and shake to coat evenly. Place pan in oven to melt sugar into a rich brown caramel, about 10–15 minutes.

In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, add water and ginger. Simmer to infuse ginger flavor, about 25 minutes, then strain and cool.

In a mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add ginger-infused water.

Pour mixture into cake pan (on top of caramelized sugar) and bake in a water bath for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Chill overnight to set.

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a 9-inch cake pan, add sugar and shake to coat evenly. Place pan in oven to melt sugar into a rich brown caramel, about 10–15 minutes.

In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, add water and ginger. Simmer to infuse ginger flavor, about 25 minutes, then strain and cool.

In a mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add ginger-infused water.

Pour mixture into cake pan (on top of caramelized sugar) and bake in a water bath for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Chill overnight to set.