This Keto Burnt Basque Cheesecake is so creamy and rich, and it’s absolutely impossible to mess up. The caramelized top and sides of this low carb cheesecake are unmistakeable.
Ready to become a seriously trendy foodie? Burnt Basque Cheesecake is THE hot new dessert, and you have got to make this keto version!
And yes, it’s supposed to look like that. It’s meant to be cracked and sunken, with a deep brown outer skin. The benefit of this somewhat ugly, plain-looking cheesecake is that you really can’t mess it up.
A cheesecake that you deliberately over-beat and over-bake? That you don’t care about rising and falling and cracking? Sounds kind of crazy, doesn’t it.
But oh my heavens, it is good. Ugly food for the win!
Keto burnt basque cheesecake inspiration
Let’s be clear, you all have my husband, Tim, to thank for this keto cheesecake deliciousness. So let’s all say it together: Thank you, Tim!
He saw a write up in Portland Monthly and shoved the magazine under my nose, asking me to make it keto friendly. The article did not have a recipe, so I did some quick research online.
One look at the ingredients, and I was on board. As it has no crust, Burnt Basque Cheesecake is extremely low carb – a perfect dessert for the keto diet.
I found two conventional recipes that appealed, since they were simple in method, and both made smaller, 6-inch cakes. I took the best tips from both No Recipes and Buttermilk Pantry, while also giving it my own little sugar-free, keto twist.
How to make keto burnt basque cheesecake
Those of you who have struggled with baked cheesecakes in the past are going to love this easy recipe. You can almost do no wrong here, since it’s supposed to be browned and even a little cracked.
That doesn’t mean you don’t still have to watch it in the oven! Here are my tips for getting it right:
- You must line that pan with parchment paper. Lots of parchment, so that there is plenty of paper coming up over the sides of the pan for easy removal.
- I used both Swerve and BochaSweet for a slightly softer filling, but you can used just Swerve if you prefer. It won’t make too much of a difference.
- Blending the mixture in a food processor made it simpler, although I did find I had to constantly scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl so I didn’t end up with any cream cheese lumps. But a good blender or a mixer will work well too. You don’t have to worry about overbeating this cheesecake!
- Room temperature ingredients, always. How often do I say this? Well you should know by now, it makes for a much smoother filling.
- Jack up that temp to a blistering 450F. Most cheesecake is baked at 300F or so, but this one wants to get all browned on the top. It helps caramelize the natural sugars in the cream cheese and cream.
- Let it come to room temperature after baking, then refrigerate for a few hours for that super dense, creamy quality.
Can you make burnt basque cheesecake ahead?
This is a perfect keto cheesecake for making a day in advance, because of its unique dense quality. I honestly think I enjoyed it more the second day.
Wrap the cheesecake up tightly, and it’s good for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge. Store any leftovers wrapped up tightly as well.
How to serve keto burnt basque cheesecake?
This is a glorious cheesecake on its own or served with a few fresh berries. I also made some of my Keto Caramel Sauce and drizzled that over a slice.
It would also be fantastic with some keto fudge sauce, or this amazing pecan praline sauce. Man, I wish I’d thought of that at the time!
Ready to make some delicious Keto Burnt Basque Cheesecake?
Also be sure to check out all the best keto cheesecake recipes here. You’re sure to find something you love!
This Keto Burnt Basque Cheesecake is so creamy and rich, and it's absolutely impossible to mess up. The caramelized top and sides of this low carb cheesecake are unmistakeable!
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1/3 cup BochaSweet (can do additional Swerve)
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1/3 cup heavy cream room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tbsp coconut flour
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Preheat the oven to 450F and line a 6-inch cake pan with parchment paper so that the parchment sticks up above the sides of the pan.
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Place the cream cheese and sweeteners in a food processor and blend until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the food processor as needed.
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Add the heavy cream and vanilla and blend until smooth, then add the coconut flour and blend until combined. Again be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the food processor bowl so there are not unblended chunks.
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Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is a rich golden brown and the center just jiggles slightly.
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Remove and let cool 1 hour, then transfer to the fridge until completely chilled, about 2 more hours.
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Remove from the pan by lifting out with the parchment edges.
Connie says
Looks fabulous! Will have to make soon. How deep a cake pan is needed?
Carolyn says
I think mine is about 4 inches deep. This could be baked in a wider pan, and be more shallow, but it would bake quite a bit faster.
Connie says
👍
Jane Ormrod says
This is a beautiful cake. I think that it is worth investing in the 6 inch diameter pan, otherwise, your cake might look a bit like a dutch baby or a pancake.
I used a 6 inch diameter springform, lined with parchment, and about 3 1/2 inches tall, The cake itself was surprising short when it cooled, but SOO DELICIOUS! Even my non-Keto guests loved it!!
The pecan sauce is impressive too – just remember to reheat it on the stovetop before serving. I also added a bit of extra cream on the reaheat.
Magnificent!
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Susan Elliott says
Carolyn: Am I understanding this right–NO water bath? I have never made a cheesecake that is not water bath in the oven or done in an instant pot. I’m sure others are wondering as well. Please comment asap–want to make this soon! LOVE your recipes!
Carolyn says
If I wanted you to use a water bath, I would have said so. 🙂
Please read the blog post as I think you need more understanding of what a Basque Cheesecake is all about.
Sylvia Stepanis says
Can you use a metal spring form pan with such high heat? With a metal pan would it burn to much?
Carolyn says
Mine is a metal pan. Even if you use springform, you want to line it with parchment.
Annette Mahoney says
Carolyn I have powdered bocha sweet and can you use the same amount as the granulated bocha sweet or swerve in many of your dessert recipes. And this sounds yummy I think I only have a 7″ pan so I assume I would bake it less time ? So like maybe 10 to 15 minutes less? Thank you for all you do.
Carolyn says
Not sure of the timing but yes, it would bake for less time so keep your eye on it. I think the powdered should be fine.
Cely says
Hi!!! I’m so willing to make this!, I’m in Guadalajara, so far can’t find the swerve sweetener… What if I change it to monk fruit? 🙈
Carolyn says
Do you mean a monk fruit blend, with erythritol? If so, yes!
Nina B. says
Well … did Tim love this? Do tell!
Carolyn says
Oh haha, I should have said! Yep, we both loved it. It’s definitely a different texture than regular cheesecake but it’s so good.
Melissa says
Could I sub allulose for the Bocha sweet?
Susan Mason says
Just made the cake. It’s cooling. I had to try it. Fabulous..as usual!! Carolyn you are Amazing!
Thank you for all these Gorgeous recipes. I just started keto and you are my go too!! Writing from the east coast of Canada. Stay safe 😉
Carolyn says
So glad you tried it! Enjoy… it’s rich. The recipes I was using for reference said this 6 inch cake was 6 servings. My husband and I felt that was far too much. And my husband is a big guy who loves dessert!
May T says
Hi, thanks so much for this recipe.
My cake is in the oven! The batter was pretty runny though, so there was no need to ‘smooth’ anything on the top. Hope I didn’t do anything wrong…will report back.
May T says
I promised to report back – and this cake is AMAZING!
Made it twice already. Very easy to make and delicious! Highly recommend.
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Loyce says
Can this be baked in an insta pot or ninja Foodi? I’m going to try it!
Carolyn says
It’s not going to get appropriately caramelized or “burnt” in a pressure cooker.
Rose says
Could I use ricotta instead of cream cheese? I love cheese cake
Carolyn says
I’m sorry but ricotta is very different than cream cheese and I doubt it would bake properly in this.
Archibaldine says
Hi Carolyn
Comparatively with the Buttermilk Pantry site for the Basque Burnt Cheesecake which inspired your recipe I found there is little heavy cream for the same quantity of eggs and approximatively the same quantity of cream cheese
How can you explain that?
Is it the fact of keto recipe ?
Thanks for your splendid recipes
I folow you for a long time and it’s always the same enchantment
have a nice day
Carolyn says
I linked to two separate recipes, and as I said in the blog post, I chose the best points of both of them.
Marianela Neal says
Rustically beautiful and amazingly delicious!
Chelyne Juanane says
Hello,
I only have a 9 inch springform pan here. Should I double the measurements?
Carolyn says
What you need to do is figure out the area of a 6 inch circle and then a 9 inch circle. I suspect it will be more than double.
Marc says
I looks great Carolyn! Thanks for linking to my recipe!
John-Mark says
Hey Carolyn!
I have 3 6″ cake pans, and each is 2″ deep. Might that be too small? If so, what do you recommend?
Carolyn says
Good question! You can see my final cake is not very tall but it does rise and then sink. My pans are taller than yours. But I think as long as you get the parchment paper higher than the sides, it should work. Or maybe siphon off a bit of the batter for a ramekin and bake that separately, and see how high your cake gets?
John-Mark says
I could cook all day, but if there’s anyone who can mess up even the simplest of baking recipes, it’s me. That being said … This cheesecake was AMAZING!
And so simple that it came out great even though I baked it in the wrong size pan (6″ x 2″ deep), forgot to add the coconut flour AND burned the top!
Next time, I’ll buy a 4″ cake pan with 3″ depth. And I’ll remember to add the coconut flour (what does it bring to the party if it was so good without it?). And I’ll cut 5 minutes off the minimum bake time so that I BROWN the top instead of charring it (I use an oven thermometer to ensure that the temperature is right).
So, when Carolyn says that you just can’t mess this one up, take it from me: she knows what she’s talking about! Believe me, I tried!
Thanks, Carolyn, for all you do.
Carolyn says
Ha, sounds like it turned out just fine! The coconut flour gives a little added structure but if it worked for you without it…
Jessie says
Hi Carolyn,
Do you think I can use erythritol as I am unable to find swerve or BochaSweet where I am. Thank you!
Carolyn says
Yes you can use plain erythritol.
Catherine says
Very good & easy!!
Audrey says
Caroline,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I now have an adequate low carb substitute for Junior’s cheesecake! I only had 1 bar of cream cheese so made 1/2 recipe. I added 1.5 tsp each of dried lemon & dried orange zests and baked in muffin cups with paper baking liners. 10 to 12 minutes in the oven for a muffin tin holding about 1/4 cup each, and watch CAREFULLY after the first 10 minutes. Served with blueberries & OMG! Tastes (does not look) like Lindy’s cheesecake with no crust. Each one comes to about 2/3 of one of the servings as measured , think 1/12 of the cake instead of 1/8. Because they are individual cups, still feels like a full portion😄
Ana says
Hi Carolyn,
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of powdered Swerve and 1/3cup of Bocha sweet. I do not have Bocha. I have powdered Swerve. You stated that we can use additional Swerve. Is it additional powdered or granulated Swerve?
Carolyn says
Either works!
Allie says
Can i use monk fruit blend with erythritol in place of all sweeteners used in your recipe?
Carolyn says
I don’t know, I haven’t tried it. Likely yes but unless I test it myself…
Jessica says
I had to wait until my 6″ Fat Daddio’s pan showed up since finding a 6″x 4″ in stores was impossible, but it’s in the oven now! I hope my parchment paper doesn’t burst into flames since it’s only rated for 425° and below. Very easy to make if you have a couple free hours on hand (which I did this morning). It’s “burning” beautifully.
Amy says
So easy and delicious!
Judith Henriksen says
I have made this recipe for the 2nd time because I love it so much. I didn’t have a 6″ springform pan so I used a 9″X 5″ loaf pan and I am very pleased with the result and it is easier to fit into the fridge. Using a convection oven, the cheesecake was done in 35 minutes. Thank you Carolyn!!!!
Lele says
Hello, Thank you for the AMAZING recipe. I think this just became my favorite cheesecake recipe. I used the golden lakanto monkfruit instead of bochasweet since that was all that I had.
I divided the mixture into a cupcake pan with a cupcake liner, to help myself control portion. 450 degree but just shorter time, about 20min.
It came out perfect, thank you!
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
katerina @ diethood.com says
This looks absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to try it!
Matt Taylor says
I LOVE cheesecake. So awesome to have a keto version to make. Thank you! This is so good.
Betsy says
I have always LOVED a nicely browned cheesecake! So glad to know I’m finally not alone! So delightful! Love that it’s KETO!
Cathy says
Hi Carolyn,have you ever used oat fiber instead of coconut flour in a cheesecake for more structure? Would it be Ok since it is only 1 1/2 tablespoons?
Carolyn says
It wouldn’t give it any more structure than coconut flour. But you’re welcome to make that sub if you wish!
Gavin says
This is my fav pre keto dessert and by gr the best keto dessert. I need help making it into single serving cupcakes size. How long to bake for do you think? Thanks!
Carolyn says
I honestly cannot tell you since I didn’t bake mine that way. I’d start at 15 minutes and check on it every few minutes after that.
Alaine says
I made this in a 7″ springform. I thought it would take less time but took more. Maybe my oven….It got a little more brown than in your photo AND was very jiggly all over so I turned down the oven to 350 and did an extra 5 minutes. Currently cooling on the counter.
I can hardly wait to taste it. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Alaine says
I forgot to mention I mixed in my vitamix blender and it worked fine. I added the HWC first then the cream cheese to get it going.
Amy says
I just made this cake in my oven. I baked it for about 37 mins and the top was dark brown already. So I open the oven to test if it’s runny. Right after I open the door, a cloud of smoke came out and the smoke alarm went off. 😱 But it smell really good tho.
Carolyn says
Sounds like your parchment paper caught fire. I suspect that you had it too close to the top of the oven. So the top would go brown and the paper would burn, but the cake would not actually be baked through.