It may be a controversial opinion, but burnt cheesecake is probably the crème de la crème of all cheesecakes.
My first taste of it was while touring the Andalusia province of Spain, from a humble store called La Tarta de Queso de la Madre Cris (The Cheesecake of Mother Cris). Unlike the chic, modern pâtisseries and cafés of big cities, it was alarmingly plain in appearance. Think of it as the Spanish counterpart of Singapore’s old-school neighbourhood confectionaries. Instead of rows of fancy cakes and pretty pastries, only a single cake was on display, with nothing particularly noteworthy about its presentation.
However, intrigued by the reviews on TripAdvisor and a burning desire to sample the best food of each place I visited (you may argue that I could just be greedy), I knew I had to look past my initial skepticism and take the leap. Boy, am I glad I did, because it was love at first bite. In fact, I had it a couple more times before leaving Granada — and I was only there for 4 days!
There’s just something so unassuming, so humble, and yet so boldly delicious about this type of cheesecake. The richness of the cheese is balanced out by its slightly bitter, caramelised top. It’s baked at a high temperature, which gives it a textural complexity — a delightfully crisp exterior and ever-so-slightly runny interior. The combination is truly a match-made in heaven, and if you haven’t had one before, you’re missing out.
Ever since then, I’ve been searching for something in Singapore that could hold a candle to what I tasted in Spain, but with little success. I’ve tried cakes from all the big names, but none could compare. However, after a relentless two-year search and an obscene amount of calories later, I think we have a winner.
Amrita’s Artisan Bakeology was started by its namesake, Amrita, to pursue her passion in baking. Multiple baking courses later, including ones at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York and by famous cake designer Julian Angel, she set up her own baking business in Singapore and hasn’t looked back since.
At time of writing, her offerings center on luxury cheesecakes, Basque-style. I was given her special Berried Burnt Cheesecake, which was almost too pretty to eat — almost. Pro-tip: It makes a great gift for that someone special. Guys, trust me on this. Any girl would much rather receive a cake than flowers. However, you get the best of both worlds with this indulgent treat.
Many times, I’ve been let down by things that looked better than they tasted. Thankfully, this cake was more than just eye candy.
In terms of personal palate, I tend towards strong flavours (blue cheese is my jam). Thus, I would’ve liked it a tad cheesier, but those who prefer milder flavours will find this right up their alley. Its texture was spot on, and heavily reminiscent of the cheesecake I had back in Granada. I appreciate that it’s not too sweet, which would make it jelak after just a few bites — something which is all too common here. It’s on the less molten side, but still retains that slight custardy ooze in the middle, leading to that signature melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
The berries help add a tartness that cuts through the richness of it, but I think it would’ve been fine without them as well. The flavours are not overpowering, but instead complement each other quite splendidly.
According to Amrita, a unique 48-hour blending process and the freshest ingredients go into each cake, which is the secret behind its phenomenal taste. You can tell it’s lovingly prepared — after all, when it comes to food, love makes it taste ten times better.
Sinful, decadent, and downright delicious, Amrita’s burnt cheesecake will surely convert even the most adamant non-cheesecake lovers. The fact that my family, who aren’t the biggest on desserts, devoured this in one sitting, is testament to this. There were no leftovers, and I regretted not setting aside an extra serving for myself beforehand.
If you’re getting it for a less glitzy occasion, Amrita’s offers its Naked Burnt Cheesecake without the frills, but all the flavour. Gluten-free and keto options are available for those with special dietary requirements, so everyone can enjoy this experience.
All in all, this a well-rounded burnt cheesecake that will be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Amrita also sent over some brownies for me to try. Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of brownies (don’t come at me), but these were genuinely enjoyable. They were a little too sweet for my taste, but in terms of moistness and fudginess, they were golden. Ugh, don’t get me started on those crisp tops!
While these fantastic brownies are available for order as well, there’s an even better way for you to get your hands on them — you can learn to make them yourself.
Amrita is currently offering private baking classes for up to two people during this P2HA period, at a modest $300 per class. Whether you are an aspiring baker, a dessert connoisseur, or just need a spicy new date idea, this will be perfect for you and your dessert-loving partner.
Brownies not your thing? No worries — a wide variety of recipes spanning the continents await, from the likes of Victoria sandwiches, Belgian chocolate cakes, Sicilian orange cakes, lemon poppyseed cakes, and more. You’ll master up to two of them (depending on your chosen items) by the end of the 2.5-hour class. Who knows, very soon you may be starting up your own baking business.
The best burnt cheesecake I’ve ever had is still from La Tarta de Queso de la Madre Cris (a mouthful indeed), and I don’t think Amrita can get me to change my mind about that. It’s like my first love, you know? However, when it comes to the burnt cheesecake scene in Singapore, I have to say that her creation is certainly one of the top contenders, no questions asked.
In celebration of National Cheesecake Day (July 30), Native will be hosting a giveaway for a chance to win a Berried Burnt Cheesecake ($58) from Amrita's Artisan Bakeology. Stay tuned on our Instagram page for more details and how to enter.
P.S. For a limited time, Amrita’s is also partnering with Native to offer our readers a discount. Use the code ‘NATIVE5’ on www.amritas.sg to enjoy $5 off your purchase (valid for the 5" and 7" cheesecakes only). Happy National Cheesecake Day, everyone!
This article is in partnership with Amrita’s Artisan Bakeology.
