Baking has been big in 2020. From banana bread to focaccia to “quarantine cakes“, a number of baked treats stole hearts and social media feeds as many people stayed at home. The latest to have gained food-trend status is the now ubiquitous burnt Basque cheesecake.

But what is it? The creamy, fluffy creation, with a distinguishable “burnt” outer layer and a creamy interior, is believed to have originated from La Vina, a restaurant in San Sebastian, in Spain’s Basque region (which is why it also sometimes goes by the name San Sebastian cheesecake).

According to YouTube’s data team, there was a 60 per cent increase in searches for the cheesecake between March 15 and July 21, as compared to searches between January and early March.

One reason for its popularity may be that it’s a cheesecake that “breaks all the rules” – it has no crust and is baked at a high temperature for a shorter period, which is what gives it that burnt look. The overall effect is a dessert with an almost caramelised crust, while its interior is creamy, fluffy and sometimes even molten.

https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/what-is-a-burnt-basque-cheesecake-and-where-can-you-get-it-in-dubai-1.1078518