You’ve probably seen images of this treat on your Instagram feed – a creamy, gooey cheesecake crowned with a beautifully burnt top. While the burnt cheesecake isn't a new creation (it first picked up in 2019), this cheesy treat gained traction during the circuit breaker period.
Numerous establishments and home bakers have since jumped on the bandwagon to put this trendy food item on their menus. We’ve rounded up some of the top spots in the city where you can get your hands on the basque burnt cheesecake!
TXA Pintxo Bar
Nestled within The Alkaff Mansion is home to Singapore’s first pintxo bar from the Basque region. Specializing in bite-sized nibbles and great small plates, their Original Burnt Cheesecake ($6 per slice, $45 for 5-inch, $70 for 8-inch) – or as they call it Spanish, the Tarta De Queso "La Vina" – follows the original recipe as it was first created in San Sebastian. The result is a cake that is smooth, creamy and fluffy all at once, without being cloyingly-sweet.
Bakery Brera
If there was an award for the best looking burnt cheesecake in town, Bakery Brera will definitely take the cake (pun intended) with its burnt and glazed top. What we also love is the holy trinity line-up of original, matcha and hojicha burnt cheesecakes ($7.50 per slice) that are freshly made daily using three types of cheeses. These slices of yumminess are so popular and highly-coveted, they sell out just about every day.
Paparch
What started off as a home-based business specializing in burnt cheesecake ($49 for a whole cake) became a social media sensation with a cult following over the circuit breaker. Its slightly bitter exterior goes perfectly with a molten melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese centre, and all the ingredients used are also Halal. Their delivery slots get filled up really fast, so hurry and place your orders for September!
Basque Kitchen by Aitor
At the one-Michelin-starred Basque Kitchen by Aitor, you can expect elevated Basque cuisine with a twist from Chef Aitor, who has familial roots in Basque Country. The iconic burnt cheesecake ($16 per slice, $78 whole) here is made with buttery Idiazabal cheese which lends the treat a slight smoky-sweet note, with a centre that’s not quite gooey, but still creamy, silky smooth and simply irresistible.
Keong Saik Bakery
We love the hipster, retro-looking bakery for its old school pastries with a modern twist. But you know what else they're good at? That's right, burnt cheesecakes. Aside from the original Burnt Cheesecake (S$7.50), they also serve up creative spins like the Pandan Burnt Cheesecake (S$8), Matcha Burnt Cheesecake ($8) and the Two-Face(S$8.50) which is a combination of the original and matcha.
Olivia Restaurant & Lounge
Just a stone’s throw away from Keong Saik Bakery is Olivia Restaurant & Lounge. Olivia’s Creamy Homemade Cheesecake ($14 per slice) is one of the most popular items on their dessert menu. Unlike most cheesecakes out there, it uses not just normal cream cheese, but also blue cheese and an almond sable base! Unlike other cheesecakes on this list, the cheesecake here has a molten center which dramatically melts and floods the plate.
The Kins' Specialty Coffee
The Kins' serves up delicious grub, but most people come here for their array of desserts and of course, the Kins’ Burnt Cheesecake ($8). Just one bite and you'll know why it’s so popular. The cheesecake had a melt-in-your-mouth layer of mousse with a light and airy texture, while its burnt top layer and base added a unique smokiness that cuts through the richness. The side of whipping cream and sugar dressing also imparted a delectable milky sweetness.
melted.bakehouse
melted.bakehouse takes things up a notch with not just one, or two, but seven different renditions of basque cheesecake flavours! The Forest Basque Burnt Cheese Cake (from $55.90) for instance, comes topped with berries, while the Chocolate Basque Burnt Cheese Cake (from $59.90) is made with Valrhona chocolate fudge and its burnt crust top generously covered with cocoa powder.
Tipsy Penguin
If the Accidental Cheesecake ($10) at Tipsy Penguin was really an accident, then we're glad so glad it happened! This dessert is luscious, rich and velvety, jiggly and burnt around the edges. It is also served with a scoop of honeycomb ice cream, which is unusual, but surprisingly complemented the cheesecake well. Depending on where you live, you might have to travel some ways for it (Tipsy Penguin is in Tampines), but we promise you it will be well worth it.
Cat & The Fiddle
This cafe is well-known for their Fickle Feline 2.0 ($52.90), where you get to try an assortment of various cheesecake flavours. Their Charred Eclipse ($48.90) cheesecake is also an apt name for a burnt cheesecake. The cake is half baked, and made with a blend of cream cheese and Martabak cheese, which is a special type of Indonesian cheddar cheese that has a rich yet salty tang. The result is a scrumptious cheesecake that is both sweet and savoury, full of fabulous flavours and textures.