The Strawberry Matcha Basque Cheesecake is where bold meets beautiful. With a deeply caramelized, burnt top and an ultra-creamy matcha-infused interior, it’s a celebration of rich textures and contrasting flavors. The gentle bitterness of matcha is offset by a cloud-like strawberry mascarpone topping that’s light, fruity, and floral.
Perfect for tea lovers and cheesecake connoisseurs alike, this dessert is a refined twist on the classic Basque cheesecake. Its rustic look belies its elegance in flavor, making it just as suited for a casual gathering as it is for a special celebration. Prepare to impress — and indulge.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
Cheesecake Batter:
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440g cream cheese
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3 eggs
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120g sugar
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12g matcha powder
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20g all-purpose flour
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270g heavy cream
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Pinch of salt
Strawberry Topping:
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330ml heavy whipping cream
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250g mascarpone
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86g powdered sugar
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6 tbsp freeze-dried strawberry powder
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Optional: Fresh strawberries and fondant flowers for decoration
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 240°C / 465°F. Crumple and then flatten a sheet of parchment paper to line a 24cm/9-inch round cake pan.
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In a blender, combine cream cheese, eggs, sugar, matcha powder, flour, heavy cream, and salt. Blend until fully smooth.
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Strain the mixture through a sieve into the pan to remove air bubbles and lumps.
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Bake for 35 minutes until the top is browned and the center is still jiggly. Cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge.
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Meanwhile, whip heavy cream, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and strawberry powder until stiff peaks form.
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Spread the topping over the chilled cheesecake and refrigerate for 2–3 hours.
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Garnish with fresh strawberries and fondant flowers. For clean slices, warm a knife under hot water and dry before slicing.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: ~380 kcal per slice | Servings: 10 servings
The Fusion Twist: Strawberry Matcha
Taking the classic Basque cheesecake to a new level, the Strawberry Matcha version marries earthy, vibrant Japanese green tea powder (matcha) with the light sweetness of strawberry-infused cream. Matcha and strawberry may seem like an unexpected pairing, but they harmonize beautifully: matcha’s grassy, umami-forward bitterness is rounded out by the fruit-forward sweetness and mild tartness of strawberry.
This fusion adds not just a flavor boost, but a visual one too. The pale green matcha cheesecake filling contrasts softly with the blush pink topping, resulting in a dessert that’s as stunning on the plate as it is in taste. Inspired by the ever-popular strawberry matcha latte, this dessert brings those familiar café flavors into a refined, sliceable treat.
Why Matcha Works in Cheesecake
Matcha is a fine powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, and it’s a staple in Japanese culinary tradition. When used in baking, especially in creamy desserts like cheesecake, it adds depth, earthiness, and a slightly bitter edge that balances the sugar content.
For this cheesecake, culinary-grade matcha is used—not only because it’s more cost-effective than ceremonial grade, but also because its more pronounced astringency shines in the context of a rich batter. The result is a well-balanced flavor that doesn’t get lost amid the cream cheese, sugar, and cream.
The Importance of Texture
One of the most defining aspects of a Basque cheesecake is its texture. Where traditional cheesecakes aim for a uniformly smooth and dense consistency, Basque cheesecakes play with contrast. The exterior is set and slightly firm, while the inside remains soft, almost molten in the center when fresh from the oven.
This texture is especially important when using bold flavors like matcha. The creamy center allows the bitterness of matcha to soften, while the firm, caramelized top introduces a nutty, smoky flavor that gives the dessert more complexity. When topped with a fluffy strawberry mascarpone cream, the experience becomes multi-layered — airy on top, creamy in the center, slightly bitter at the base, and ever so sweet on the finish.
A Versatile Dessert for All Occasions
Though visually elegant, this cheesecake is surprisingly low-maintenance. There’s no crust to worry about, no water bath, and no need for elaborate decoration. Its rustic look and unique color palette — soft green from the matcha and blush pink from the strawberry topping — make it suitable for everything from birthday parties to sophisticated dinner parties or intimate tea-time indulgences.
What’s even more appealing is that it stores exceptionally well. After baking, the cheesecake firms up in the refrigerator and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld and deepen. The strawberry topping can be made ahead, and any decorative elements like fondant flowers or sliced strawberries can be added just before serving.
How to Customize It
There are multiple ways to make this cheesecake your own. Don’t like matcha? You can simply omit it and enjoy a classic vanilla-scented Basque cheesecake with strawberry topping. Prefer chocolate? Replace the matcha with cocoa powder for a darker, fudgier variation.
Want to push the boundaries even further? Try swirling in fruit purée such as raspberry or blueberry before baking. Or for a citrusy zing, a touch of lemon or orange zest adds freshness that cuts through the richness of the cheesecake and complements the strawberry layer beautifully.
For the topping, mascarpone creates a fluffy, slightly tangy base. If unavailable, you can substitute it with more whipped cream or even Greek yogurt for a tangier twist. The freeze-dried strawberry powder offers concentrated flavor without adding moisture, but blending in fresh strawberries also works — just know it’ll be a bit softer and more mousse-like.
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure your cheesecake comes out perfectly every time, a few technique tips go a long way. First, blend the batter thoroughly until it’s silky smooth — but don’t overwhip, which can incorporate too much air. Straining the batter before baking helps eliminate any lingering lumps and results in a velvety interior.
Next, be mindful of baking time. You want the cheesecake to have a deep golden top, but the center should still wobble when you gently shake the pan. It will set further as it cools and chills in the fridge. Overbaking will lead to a dense, dry texture — the opposite of what you want in this style.
Lastly, let the cheesecake cool fully before topping with the whipped strawberry cream. And when it’s time to slice, use a knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry for clean, professional-looking slices.
Why It’s a Showstopper Dessert
Visually, this cake is a stunner. The combination of scorched top, earthy green filling, and blushing pink topping is artistic and alluring. It looks handcrafted, high-end, and unique — like something you’d find in a trendy patisserie or modern Asian dessert café. But more than looks, it delivers big on flavor and texture.
It’s a dessert that gets people talking. Not just because of its color or cultural fusion, but because every bite offers contrast and depth. From the slightly bitter matcha base to the soft, fruity cream on top, it’s sophisticated but accessible — a rare combination in the world of baked goods.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
This cheesecake is excellent on its own, but you can elevate the experience with thoughtful pairings. Serve it alongside a matcha latte or jasmine green tea for a cohesive flavor journey. Alternatively, pair with a dry sparkling wine or rosé for contrast and celebration.
A dollop of whipped cream or a side of fresh strawberries brings brightness to the plate. You could also dust the top lightly with extra matcha powder for added visual flair and an extra kick of tea flavor.
It also works beautifully in a dessert spread with other Asian fusion sweets — think matcha mochi, yuzu tarts, or sesame cookies.
Conclusion
The Strawberry Matcha Basque Cheesecake isn’t just a dessert — it’s an experience. It brings together traditional Spanish technique with Japanese flavors and a modern aesthetic, creating something entirely new yet comfortingly familiar. Whether you’re a matcha lover, a cheesecake aficionado, or simply someone looking to impress with a unique and flavorful dessert, this recipe checks all the boxes.
Its ease of preparation combined with its show-stopping appearance makes it an ideal recipe for both casual bakers and culinary creatives. With its balance of flavors, contrast of textures, and endless room for customization, it’s not just a cake you make once — it’s one you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.