Twenty of the very best cheesecake recipes for Shavuot

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a cheesecake I didn’t like. The JC archives are literally stuffed with every sort of recipe you can think of, from traditional bakes with pastry crust, through thick NY style bakes, Middle Eastern knafeh, on-trend Basque and quick and easy no-bake versions and a handful of vegan versions so everyone can celebrate.  

Here are a few of my favourites:  
 

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1. Did someone say chocolate chip cheesecake pie in a tahini vanilla pastry crust? I’m not sure there’s one thing I don’t like in Denise Phillips’s ingenious recipe. 

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2. The Basque cheesecake is having a moment, which could explain why this recipe is one of our most clicked on recipes EVER. Make sure to add this crustless, super creamy style of bake from chef Amir Batito to your festive menu.  

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3. If you’re fancying something a bit more fruity, try Michelin-starred pastry chef, Hesky Meyer’s strawberry baked cheesecake which screams summer with a side of strawberry basil compote. Hesky knows a thing or two about baking and his tips on how to make the best baked or no-bake version is full of hacks and hints that you need to know. 

Photo: Quentin Bacon

4. If you love labneh and a biscuity base, you’ll want to try this fabulous recipe from Israeli chef Einat Admony and food writer Janna Gur, which is full of Middle Eastern flavour. 

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5. Moving to Scandinavia, Anne Weimar’s Danish cheesecake is packed with juicy raisins, citrus zest and has an interesting twist in her use of eggs plus no crust for those who prefer their creamy cake without.
 

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6. Fabienne Viner-Luzzato’s fruity floral lavender rose and berry cheescake includes summer berries, lavender and rose for a deliciously different bake that’s peak Shavuot. 

Photo: Michael Chatzikonstantis

7, I love that traditional Israeli cheesecakes have a crumb topping — almost like turning your bake upside down. You bake a crunchy pastry base then crumble it on top of the creamy middle.  Limi Robinson’s vanilla recipe is a real treat which also uses that very Israeli hack of incorporating vanilla pudding mix to ensure a set.

Photo: Inbal Bar-Oz

8. Lisa Roukin’s creamy ricotta and mascarpone baked cheesecake has an unusual, wheat free crust, using ground up oat granola bars for the base which is also pushed up the sides of the tin to give a gorgeous-looking showstopper of a dessert.  

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9. Lime and chocolate is a perfect pairing – I just added a ginger crust to make the match complete. It’s also super easy to make – if you don’t believe me watch the video for my lime, ginger and dark chocolate cheesecake recipe. 

Photo: Victoria Prever

10. Fabienne Viner-Luzzato’s rainbow layered cheesecake is like cute and colourful. Bound to be a favourite with those who cannot choose their favourite flavour. 

 

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11. For a Middle Eastern vibe and a recipe that’s ready in no time at all, my no-bake tahini and silan cheesecake is a winner. Shower the surface with crunchy crushed sesame peanuts to make it next level delicious. 

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12. Lovers of the honeycomb-filled chocolate bar, will love this Crunchie bar cheesecake from Denise Phillips. 

Photo: Rupa Photography

13. Crunchy kunafa pastry and fragrant rosewater make for this delicious Middle Eastern-style bake from Georgie Tarn and Tracey Fine. 

Photo: Claire Winfield

14. Chocolate lovers will adore this Israeli-style no-bake white chocolate recipe from MasterChef finalist, Emma Spitzer. 

Photo: Inbal Bar-OzPhoto: Inbal Bar-Oz

15. Another one for chocolate fans — Denise Phillips’s brownie is taken up several notches with the addition of creamy cheesecake and summer berries.  

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16. If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly recipe with a trad-looking vibe, then look no further than Holly Jade’s gingerbread no-bake cheesecake that’s made creamy by cashew nuts and coconut cream. 

Photo: Inbal Bar-Oz

17. And for another plant-based pudding with plenty of good-for-you ingredients go for Denise Phillips’s walnut, cashew, Medjool date and chocolate recipe. 

Photo: Inbal Bar-OzPhoto: Inbal Bar-Oz

18. One of my all-time favourites – and one that my family request every year — is this Malteser cheesecake. It’s so indulgent it’s dangerous – a little goes a long way.  

Photo: Alan Benson

19. From the wonderful collection of recipes from the wonderful Australian Monday Morning Cookery Club, Debbie Levi’s Romanian Malai polenta cheesecake is simple and delicious. I love that it’s made with (on-trend) cottage cheese and that the polenta is mixed in for a subtle crunch.
 

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20. Our final suggestion is a lovely and light lemon cheesecake with crisp pastry crust from Rosalind Rathouse of Cookery School. Another traditional recipe that everyone will adore.