White chocolate Basque cheesecake recipe
 Masterchef finalist, Alexina Anatole, balances the sour tanginess of a traditional Basque cheesecake with sweet white chocolate. You will need a 20cm/8in springform cake tin for this recipe. 200g/7oz white chocolate, finely chopped360ml/12fl oz double cream 200g/7oz white chocolate, finely chopped 360ml/12fl oz double cream 840g/1lb 14oz full-fat cream cheese 100g/3½oz soured cream140g/5oz caster sugar4 large free-range eggs40g/1½oz cornflour 1 tsp sea salt flakes2–3 tsp vanilla bean paste, to taste2 tsp fresh lemon juice 840g/1lb 14oz full-fat cream cheese 100g/3½oz soured cream 140g/5oz caster sugar 4 large free-range eggs 40g/1½oz cornflour 1 tsp sea salt flakes 2–3 tsp vanilla bean paste, to taste 2 tsp fresh lemon juice 300g/10½oz strawberries2 tbsp fresh lemon juice30g/1oz caster sugar 300g/10½oz strawberries 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 30g/1oz caster sugar Method Preheat the oven to 240C/220C Fan/Gas 9. Press a large piece of greaseproof paper roughly into a 20cm/8in springform tin (this doesn’t have to be neat or elegant – just make sure that the paper reaches up and slightly over the sides).To make the white chocolate ganache, put the chopped white chocolate into a bowl. Gently heat the double cream in a saucepan until hot, then pour over the white chocolate and stir until fully melted. Set aside.To make the cheesecake, briefly whisk the cream cheese and soured cream together in a large bowl until smooth, then add the sugar and whisk until dissolved. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the white chocolate ganache.Sift the cornflour into a separate small bowl, then add the salt. Add 2–3 large spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture and whisk until there are no lumps. Add this thicker mixture back into the main cheesecake mixture (use a spatula to ensure you don’t leave any behind), then whisk together. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, using a spatula to ensure that everything has been fully combined.Pour the mixture into your prepared tin and bake until puffed up, blackened on top and reasonably jiggly in the middle. The reality is that the baking time will vary a lot depending on the fierceness of your oven, so this is one to trust your instincts on. Start checking from the 40 minute mark, and rest assured that a good wobble in the middle is fine, as the white chocolate ganache helps it to firm up considerably in the fridge.Allow to cool to room temperature, then store in the fridge overnight. I love eating a Basque cold, but you can also bring it to room temperature before eating (it will have a much softer set and won’t slice as nicely if you do this).To serve, mix the strawberries in a small bowl with the lemon juice and sugar. Unclip the cheesecake from the tin and peel back the paper. Slice into portions and serve the strawberries alongside. Preheat the oven to 240C/220C Fan/Gas 9. Press a large piece of greaseproof paper roughly into a 20cm/8in springform tin (this doesn’t have to be neat or elegant – just make sure that the paper reaches up and slightly over the sides). Preheat the oven to 240C/220C Fan/Gas 9. Press a large piece of greaseproof paper roughly into a 20cm/8in springform tin (this doesn’t have to be neat or elegant – just make sure that the paper reaches up and slightly over the sides). To make the white chocolate ganache, put the chopped white chocolate into a bowl. Gently heat the double cream in a saucepan until hot, then pour over the white chocolate and stir until fully melted. Set aside. To make the white chocolate ganache, put the chopped white chocolate into a bowl. Gently heat the double cream in a saucepan until hot, then pour over the white chocolate and stir until fully melted. Set aside. To make the cheesecake, briefly whisk the cream cheese and soured cream together in a large bowl until smooth, then add the sugar and whisk until dissolved. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the white chocolate ganache. To make the cheesecake, briefly whisk the cream cheese and soured cream together in a large bowl until smooth, then add the sugar and whisk until dissolved. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the white chocolate ganache. Sift the cornflour into a separate small bowl, then add the salt. Add 2–3 large spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture and whisk until there are no lumps. Add this thicker mixture back into the main cheesecake mixture (use a spatula to ensure you don’t leave any behind), then whisk together. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, using a spatula to ensure that everything has been fully combined. Sift the cornflour into a separate small bowl, then add the salt. Add 2–3 large spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture and whisk until there are no lumps. Add this thicker mixture back into the main cheesecake mixture (use a spatula to ensure you don’t leave any behind), then whisk together. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, using a spatula to ensure that everything has been fully combined. Pour the mixture into your prepared tin and bake until puffed up, blackened on top and reasonably jiggly in the middle. The reality is that the baking time will vary a lot depending on the fierceness of your oven, so this is one to trust your instincts on. Start checking from the 40 minute mark, and rest assured that a good wobble in the middle is fine, as the white chocolate ganache helps it to firm up considerably in the fridge. Pour the mixture into your prepared tin and bake until puffed up, blackened on top and reasonably jiggly in the middle. The reality is that the baking time will vary a lot depending on the fierceness of your oven, so this is one to trust your instincts on. Start checking from the 40 minute mark, and rest assured that a good wobble in the middle is fine, as the white chocolate ganache helps it to firm up considerably in the fridge. Allow to cool to room temperature, then store in the fridge overnight. I love eating a Basque cold, but you can also bring it to room temperature before eating (it will have a much softer set and won’t slice as nicely if you do this). Allow to cool to room temperature, then store in the fridge overnight. I love eating a Basque cold, but you can also bring it to room temperature before eating (it will have a much softer set and won’t slice as nicely if you do this). To serve, mix the strawberries in a small bowl with the lemon juice and sugar. Unclip the cheesecake from the tin and peel back the paper. Slice into portions and serve the strawberries alongside. To serve, mix the strawberries in a small bowl with the lemon juice and sugar. Unclip the cheesecake from the tin and peel back the paper. Slice into portions and serve the strawberries alongside. Recipe tips An overnight rest in the fridge is essential for the best texture. When using a whisk, the aim is to combine everything, not whisk air into the mix – so avoid any sort of ‘whipping cream’ action for this recipe.