🧁 Crème Brûlée Cheesecake (Mediterranean Style)
🍋 Serves:
8–10 people
⏱ Total Time:
About 1 hour 45 minutes + chilling overnight
🧂 Ingredients
For the crust:
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200 g (7 oz) crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers
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80 g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
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2 tbsp ground pistachios or almonds
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1 tbsp honey
For the cheesecake filling:
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600 g (21 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
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200 g (7 oz) Greek yogurt or labneh (for that Mediterranean tang)
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150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
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3 large eggs
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1 egg yolk
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
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Zest of 1 orange or lemon
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2 tbsp honey (optional, for sweetness and aroma)
For the crème brûlée topping:
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3 tbsp granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
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A kitchen torch (recommended)
Optional Mediterranean garnish:
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Crushed pistachios
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Drizzle of honey
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A few mint leaves or candied orange peel
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the crust
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Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).
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Mix the crushed biscuits, pistachios, melted butter, and honey in a bowl.
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Press the mixture firmly into the base of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan.
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Bake for 8–10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
2. Make the cheesecake filling
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In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
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Add sugar and beat again until creamy.
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Mix in the Greek yogurt (or labneh), eggs, and yolk — one at a time.
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Add cornstarch, vanilla, citrus zest, and honey.
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Beat until just combined; don’t overmix.
3. Bake the cheesecake
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Pour the filling over the crust.
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Place the pan in a water bath (wrap the bottom in foil if needed).
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Bake for 50–60 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
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Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let it cool inside for 1 hour.
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Then cool completely at room temperature, cover, and chill overnight.
4. Make the crème brûlée topping
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Sprinkle the top of the chilled cheesecake evenly with 3 tbsp sugar.
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Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until golden and glassy.
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Alternatively, you can broil for 1–2 minutes — but watch carefully!
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Allow the sugar to cool and harden before serving.
5. Garnish and serve
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Sprinkle with crushed pistachios, drizzle of honey, and a few mint leaves.
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Serve cold — and crack that caramel top before every bite!
💡 Tips & Variations
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Citrus twist: Use blood orange zest for a deeper Mediterranean flavor.
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Floral note: Add 1 tsp orange blossom water or rose water to the filling.
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Lighter option: Swap cream cheese for ricotta for a more Italian-style cheesecake.
