Header image courtesy of @lavina.hk (via Instagram)
Originally published by Beverly Ngai. Last updated by Catharina Cheung.
In a world where exquisite platters and over-the-top desserts tend to grab the most attention on social media, it says a whole lot when a humble, burnt, ugly duckling of a cake—known as the Basque burnt cheesecake—blows its extravagant competitors out of the water and gets crowned the hottest dessert of 2019.
In case you’ve somehow missed burnt cheesecakes galore all over Instagram, let us set you straight—this is no ordinary cheesecake. Originating from a restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain, the Basque burnt cheesecake has a gooey, custard-like centre and a near-blackened burnt top that imparts a deep, caramelised flavour. It’s rustic in appearance and you will typically find no crust nor fancy toppings here—just sunken centres and uneven edges. It defies all the rules of a traditional cheesecake but in the best way possible!
Check out our top picks for Basque burnt cheesecakes in Hong Kong and see for yourself what the hype is all about.