Cheesecake San Sebastian – ‘Basqueing’ in Its Own Viral Success

The discovery of delicious food items on social media platforms has increased significantly over the last decade. Users of Instagram, TikTok, and even Facebook are always on the lookout for recommendations on what to eat in cities around the world.

A prime example of a food item is the San Sebastian Cheesecake (also referred to as a ‘Basque’ Cheesecake). This cheesecake has proven popular among those who consume it, particularly across Europe. It differs from the standard cheesecake in that the top is traditionally caramelised for a burnt appearance. There is also no biscuit base, which means it provides a light, smooth texture throughout.

The San Sebastian (Basque) Cheesecake, served with melted chocolate

The flavour is also that of a standard cheesecake, with a caramel-like note from the burnt top. The best finish to a San Sebastian (Basque) Cheesecake is to pour a small helping of melted chocolate over it. This will add richness to the cheesecake and enhance its chocolate flavour.

The story of this cheesecake begins in 1988, at the Spain-based Restaurant La Viña. Two brothers, Eladio and Antonio Rivera, had been running the restaurant in the city of San Sebastian since 1959, alongside their wives. 1988 was the year in which Eladio’s son, Santiago Riviera, decided that it was time for a change to the restaurant’s dessert offerings. There followed a series of months during which Santiago conducted experiments and developed ideas for La Viña’s dessert menu.

La Viña’s San Sebastian (Basque) Cheesecake

The idea and creation of a Basque Cheesecake were then born, and Santiago was determined to ensure the recipe for this dessert was developed. With this dessert created, La Viña then served it to locals of San Sebastian before it gained further recognition in the 2010s.

An increase in popularity led this cheesecake to gain traction among social media users, particularly on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Renowned British Chef Nigella Lawson published a recipe for this cheesecake in 2021, further boosting its popularity among food and drink fans. 2021 also saw this cheesecake win the ‘Flavour of the Year’ award for the New York Times, and continues its viral notoriety to this day.

My take on the San Sebastian (Basque) Cheesecake

Many recipes for the San Sebastian Cheesecake have been created since La Viña’s original. The original recipe confirms the minimal number of ingredients that Santiago Riviera used to create this cheesecake. The list of ingredients that was used is as follows:

• 1 kg Philadelphia cream cheese

• 500 ml heavy cream

• 7 large eggs

• 400 grams’ sugar

• 1 tablespoon flour

It is plain to see that this San Sebastian Cheesecake required minimal effort, yet it was a success thanks to the locals who fell in love with it. It is a cheesecake that has made a significant contribution to the Basque Country's food scene. While it has achieved viral fame, it will certainly remember its own Basque roots, no matter where its fame takes it.

The Travelling Foodie's Facts & Figures

• I sampled a slice of the San Sebastian Cheesecake at La Viña, along with a glass of cider, for a total of €6.50.

• As the first image in this article suggests, you can also serve this cheesecake with melted chocolate poured over it for a generous touch of richness.