Find out which are the best cheeses to use for making a cheesecake and what you should look for when choosing the most suitable one. As the possibilities are endless, we will help you choose and combine them to achieve the best result.
Cheesecake, also known as cheesecake or cheesecake, is one of the most popular and appreciated desserts around the world. Whether it is a cold cheesecake or you are looking at a baked cheesecake recipe, its creamy texture and smooth flavor make this dessert an irresistible delight. The choice of the type of cheese is crucial if you are looking for how to make a cheesecake, whether it is a no-bake cheesecake, a baked cheesecake, an air fryer cheesecake or a Japanese cheesecake.
Although cream cheese is one of the most commonly used (especially popular is the classic Philadelphia cheesecake), there are many other options that can enhance the flavor and texture. We will explain how to choose the best cheese to make all kinds of cheesecake recipes, including details about each one or how to combine different types of cheese.
The importance of choosing the right cheese for a cheesecake
Choosing the right cheese is essential to making any cheesecake recipe a success. The type of cheese you use will directly influence the texture, flavour, and consistency of your cake. A good quality cheese will provide a creamy and smooth texture, while a poor quality cheese could result in a cake that is grainy, dry, too moist or tasteless.
And thanks to the variety of cheeses, they will bring unique flavour nuances that can transform an ordinary cheesecake into an extraordinary cake. Whether you opt for the classic Philadelphia cheese, soft cheeses of international origin such as Ricotta, Mascarpone, Quark, or Cottage, or prefer to try other combinations, including those using Spanish cheeses, the right choice will allow you to prepare a cheesecake that stands out.
The best cheeses for making cheesecake
From fresh and mild cheeses to more intense and aged ones, each type offers unique characteristics that can transform your cake into an exceptional dessert. Here is our selection.
Fresh cheeses
Characterized by having a high moisture content and not having gone through a long maturation process, these cheeses have a soft, light and creamy texture with a delicate flavor. Some are cream cheese – the most commonly used and the one used in the La Viña cheesecake recipe, perhaps the most famous in the world -, Ricotta, cottage cheese, Quark, fresh cheese, Cottage or Mascarpone.
These cheeses are ideal for creating a smooth and homogeneous base, facilitating the integration of other complementary ingredients. Their creamy texture ensures a uniform mixture, resulting in a cheesecake with a silky consistency that is very pleasant to the palate. However, due to their high moisture content, these cheeses can become liquid during baking or when cutting the cake, requiring additional cooling time to ensure the firmness of the cake. If it is the best cheese for La Viña cake, it is for a reason.
Soft cheeses
Soft cheeses have a soft texture, an edible rind, and a smooth, slightly creamy interior. After a short period of maturation, these cheeses retain a firmer texture than fresh cheeses and also have a lower moisture content. Cheeses such as Camembert, Brie, Reblochon, Taleggio, and Morbier belong to this group.
When it comes to using this type of cheese for cheesecake, its smooth, creamy texture allows for easy mixing and provides a silky consistency to the cake. The edible rind of certain types of soft cheese can provide an interesting additional flavour. You will need to bear in mind that, as their moisture content is lower than in fresh cheeses, the recipe may require some adjustment to prevent the cake from being dry. If you fancy trying a cake with this type of cheese, don’t miss our recipe for Camembert cheesecake with raspberries.
Pressed cheeses
Pressed cheeses have a firmer and more compact texture and have undergone longer maturation processes, which is why they are characterised by having more intense and developed flavours than fresh or soft cheeses. Some pressed cheeses include Cheddar, Gouda, Emmental, Edam, Gruyère and Idiazabal.
Their firm structure can provide structure and stability to your cheesecake, as well as a more intense and concentrated flavor. The only disadvantage that these types of cheeses can present is that due to their firmness, they can be more difficult to integrate into the cake mixture, requiring more time and effort during preparation and even not completely melting during baking, resulting in a cake that lacks that characteristic homogeneous texture.
Hard cheeses
Hard cheeses are characterized by a firm, compact and grainy texture due to a long maturation process that can last from several months to years. This gives them their firmness and their complex, intense, and well-developed flavor. Cheeses such as Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano or cured Manchego belong to this group.
Hard cheeses, with their strong and complex flavours, can significantly enhance the flavour of cheesecake, while their grainy texture adds a distinctive touch if you like this type of texture. However, they have considerable difficulty melting evenly, which can result in a less homogeneous mixture and ultimately a less smooth cake. If you decide to experiment, it is advisable to finely grate it before incorporating it into the mixture to help it blend better, and it would also be appropriate to mix it with other cheeses with a creamier texture to achieve a good consistency.
Blue cheeses
Known for their distinctive characteristics, blue cheeses are notable for their greenish or blue veins of mould that give them their unique flavour and aroma. Depending on the type and degree of ripening, they can have a texture that varies from creamy to semi-hard, with a slightly crumbly paste near the veins. Strong, salty and slightly spicy in flavour, there are different regional varieties such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Cabrales or Bleu d’Auvergne that can work well.
Characterized by their intense and salty flavor, they can add very distinctive notes to any recipe. However, their flavor may be too strong for some palates. Also, depending on the type of cheese, its texture may not integrate as smoothly into the mixture, affecting the creaminess. Therefore, if you decide to prepare a cake with blue cheese, we recommend mixing it with other creamy cheeses such as cream cheese or mascarpone to balance the flavor and improve the texture of the dessert.
How to choose the best cheese for cheesecake
As we have just seen, cheese characteristics such as creaminess, acidity, texture, and flavour are crucial for the final result. Whether you opt for local or imported cheeses, choosing the right cheese for your cheesecake is essential to ensure that your cake has the desired consistency and flavour. In addition to the choice of cheese, the preparation technique also plays an important role, as methods such as churning, mixing and baking will equally influence the final result of the dessert.
Before choosing the cheese for your cheesecake, also think about the other complementary ingredients of the cake such as the cookie base, the different toppings, and other elements such as fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, etc. Also, taking into account the fat content and calories depending on the type of cheese, you can prepare low-calorie cheesecakes (if you opt for a low-fat fresh cheese) or even look for lactose-free options.
Taking into account the criteria that we will present below, you will be able to select the cheese that best suits your needs and prepare a fabulous cheesecake with your favorite cheese.
- Texture: To achieve a smooth and homogeneous cake, it is essential to choose a creamy and easy-to-blend cheese. This characteristic of the cheese will ensure that your cheesecake has a silky and uniform consistency. If you want a trick to make the texture as homogeneous as possible, Thermomix cheesecakes always have an unbeatable texture.
- Flavor: The flavor profile of the cheese is another crucial aspect. If you prefer a sweeter cheesecake, opt for cheeses like mascarpone (known for its natural sweetness) or ricotta (soft and sweet on the palate). On the other hand, traditional cream cheese offers a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, ideal for those looking for a more classic flavor. Quark, on the other hand, may be ideal for those looking for a little more acidity and less sweetness.
- Melting ability: Most recipes require the cheese to melt well during baking. Therefore, one of the key aspects when choosing cheese for cheesecake is to select one that melts evenly and guarantees a cake with a smooth and uniform texture.
- Availability: Make sure that the cheese you choose is easy to find in your area, otherwise you can always opt for cheeses that are within the same group and have similar characteristics. Common cheeses such as cream cheese, brie or mascarpone are available in most supermarkets, making them easy to purchase.
- Price: Value for money is also an important factor to consider. Determine your budget before you go to the supermarket and look for cheeses that offer the best quality within that range, ensuring a good balance between cost and taste.
- Cooking technique: You should also consider the method of preparation of your cheesecake. Although most are baked or cold-prepared, some alternative methods, such as using a Thermomix or air fryer for baking the cake, can influence the choice of cheese. Make sure that the cheese you want is well suited to the cooking method you plan to use to ensure that your homemade cheesecake is a success.