CHRISTINE CAPENDALE
CHRISTINE CAPENDALE
CHRISTINE CAPENDALE

Koeksister Cheesecake

1

  • Overview
  • Ingredients
    15 items
  • Directions

CRUST

120 g   ginger biscuits, crushed

100 g   Coconut biscuits, crushed

100 g   butter, melted

CHEESECAKE FILLING

625 g   full fat cream cheese, softened

250 ml soured cream

100 g   castor sugar

4          eggs

10 ml   vanilla extract

            Zest of 1 lemon

30 ml   lemon juice

2,5 ml  ground cinnamon

2,5 ml  ground ginger

            Pinch of salt

KOEKSISTER SYRUP

150 g   castor sugar

125 ml water

1          cinnamon stick

6          cardamom pods

            Zest of 1 small lemon

30 ml   lemon juice

5          slices fresh ginger

 

  • TO MAKE THE CRUST: Mix the crushed biscuits and melted butter until evenly combined. Press firmly into the base of a greased 24 cm springform tin. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
  • TO MAKE THE CHEESECAKE FILLING: Beat the cream cheese, soured cream and castor sugar together until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Add the vanilla, lemon zest and juice, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Mix until just combined.
  • Pour the filling over the chilled biscuit base.
  • Bake at 150°C for 55 minutes in a water bath (cover the springform tin with foil to prevent water from seeping into the crust).
  • Switch off the oven, leave the door slightly ajar and allow the cheesecake to cool gradually. For about 30 minutes in the oven. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.  Drizzle with the koeksister syrup just before serving.
  • TO MAKE THE SYRUP: Place the sugar, water, cinnamon, lemon zest, lemon juice, ginger and the cardamom pods in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes until the syrup is thick and glossy.  Cool

NOTES: Don’t drench the cheesecake in syrup. Brush or spoon a thin layer over the chilled cheesecake just before serving. This gives you the characteristic sticky, fragrant koeksister flavour while keeping the dessert fresh and balanced.