Chai Marble Cheesecake

This cheesecake has all the familiar cheesecake characteristics you love—thick, creamy filling blanketing a crisp gingersnap crust—but with twice the visual appeal and an extra dose of fall flavor thanks to the aromatic homemade Chai Spice Mix we added to the chocolate batter.

Chai Marble Cheesecake
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Chai Marble Cheesecake

Makes 1 (9-inch) cake

Ingredients

  • cup (160 grams) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon (6 grams) loose-leaf chai tea
  • 2 cups (268 grams) finely ground gingersnap cookies
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • cups (300 grams) plus 2 tablespoons (24 grams) granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 3 (8-ounce) packages (680 grams) cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • 3 tablespoons (24 grams) all-purpose flour
  • teaspoons (6 grams) vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs (150 grams), room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 grams) sour cream, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons (4 grams) Chai Spice Mix (recipe follows)
  • 1 teaspoon (2 grams) Dutch process cocoa powder

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, heat cream over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until a film starts to form on top and an instant-read thermometer registers 180°F (82°C). Remove from heat, and stir in tea. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stain through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding solids. Pour ½ cup (120 grams) chai cream into a small bowl, and let cool to room temperature. Discard any remaining cream.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with baking spray with flour; line bottom of pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, stir together ground gingersnap cookies, melted butter, 2 tablespoons (24 grams) sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt until well combined; using a small straight-sided measuring cup, press mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
  • Bake until set and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes; let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Wrap bottom and sides of pan in a double layer of heavy-duty foil; place in a large oven bag, tucking ends so bag is flush with top edge of pan. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (170°C).
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese at medium speed until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add flour, vanilla, remaining 1½ cups (300 grams) sugar, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt; beat at low speed just until combined. Increase mixer speed to medium, and beat until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined after each addition. Add chai cream and sour cream; beat at medium-low speed until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Transfer 2¼ cups (about 470 grams) batter to a medium bowl; add Chai Spice Mix and cocoa, folding just until combined.
  • Spray sides of prepared pan with baking spray with flour. Pour 2¼ cups (about 470 grams) plain batter onto prepared crust. Pour 1 cup (about 208 grams) chai batter in center of plain batter in pan. Using a spoon, dollop both remaining batters randomly onto surface of batter in pan. Using the tip of a knife, swirl batters together. (To get full marbled effect throughout cake, place knife almost to crust when swirling. Be careful not to bring knife in and out of batter too much; it will create air bubbles on top of cheesecake.)
  • Position oven rack in bottom third of oven. Place a roasting pan in oven; place springform pan in center of roasting pan. Add hot water to come 1 inch up sides of springform pan.
  • Bake until edges are set, top looks dry, center is almost set, and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 150°F (66°C) to 155°F (68°C), 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 1½ to 2 hours. Refrigerate in pan on a wire rack overnight, loosely covering with foil only when completely cool to prevent condensation from forming on top of cheesecake. Carefully remove from pan, and transfer to a serving plate. Use a warm dry knife to slice when ready to serve.

 

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Chai Spice Mix

Makes about ⅓ cup

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons (18 grams) ground cinnamon
  • tablespoons (9 grams) ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon (6 grams) ground cloves
  • ½ tablespoon (3 grams) ground cardamom
  • ½ tablespoon (3 grams) finely ground black pepper

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

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