Creamy, Burnt, Earl-Grey–Infused Elegance
This London Fog Basque Cheesecake combines the magic of a classic burnt Basque cheesecake—creamy center, caramelized top, rustic edges—with the cozy flavors of a London Fog latte. Earl Grey tea infuses the batter with soft floral notes, while a swirl of homemade blackberry sauce adds brightness and a touch of tart sweetness. It’s a showstopping, café-style dessert that’s surprisingly beginner-friendly thanks to its intentionally imperfect look and simple mixing method. Perfect for brunches, celebrations, or when you want a dessert that feels both modern and classy.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
- Cooling Time: 2 hours minimum
- Total Time: ~3 hours
- Servings: 8 slices
📝 Ingredients
Cheesecake
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 Earl Grey tea bags
- 24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Blackberry Sauce
- 2 cups blackberries (fresh or frozen)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp water if needed
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- 9-inch springform pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Saucepan
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Fine-mesh strainer (optional for seedless sauce)
☕ Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
1. Infuse the Cream
Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until steaming (not boiling). Add Earl Grey teabags, cover, and steep 10 minutes. Let cool slightly; squeeze bags for maximum flavor. 🌫️
2. Prepare the Pan
Line a springform pan with two large overlapping sheets of parchment, letting edges rise high above the rim for that signature rustic Basque look.
3. Make the Batter
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla and salt.
Whisk cornstarch into the warm Earl Grey cream, then add to the batter. The mixture should be silky and pourable.
4. Bake
Pour batter into the pan. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 45–55 minutes.
The top should be deeply browned, and the center should jiggle like soft custard. ✨
5. Cool Completely
Let cool at room temperature, then chill at least 2 hours for clean slices.
🍇 Make the Blackberry Sauce
- Combine blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, and zest in a saucepan.
- Simmer 5–7 minutes until berries burst and sauce thickens slightly.
- Strain for a smooth sauce or leave chunky for rustic style.
- Cool before serving. 😋
💡 Pro Tips
- Stronger tea flavor: Steep 4 tea bags instead of 3 or steep for a full 15 minutes.
- Silkiest texture: Ensure cream cheese is truly room temp for effortless mixing.
- Burnt top is good! The signature caramelized top enhances flavor.
- Serving tip: Drizzle blackberry sauce on chilled slices or swirl some into the batter before baking for a marbled effect.