Chilled Lemon and White Chocolate Cheesecake – Keke Tīhi Rēmama me te Tiakarete Mā
I love a chilled cheesecake and this Keke Tīhi Rēmama me te Tiakarete Mā (Lemon and White Chocolate Cheesecake) is my new favourite. It starts with a paparanga pihikete tiakarete mā (white chocolate biscuit base) with a little kokonati (coconut), bound together with pata kua rewaina (melted butter). The centre is a beautiful, creamy cheesecake that is spiked with rēmana (lemon) and sweetened with tiakarete mā (white chocolate). It then sets in the fridge for around 5 hours. It can be as simple as that if you want it to be or you can jazz it up with some fresh tropical fruit and raupua tiakarete mā (white chocolate petals). This is going to become a staple in your baking repertoire, I just know it!
Chilled Lemon and White Chocolate Cheesecake – Keke Tīhi Rēmama me te Tiakarete Mā
A creamy and bright lemon and white chocolate chilled cheesecake, no baking required. Topped with tropical fruit for a flavour sensation.
Servings 1 large cheesecake (feeds 12 people)
Ingredients
The Biscuit Layer – Te Paparanga Pihikete
- 180 g pihikete tiakarete mā (white chocolate biscuits, I used the Chit Chat caramelised white chocolate version)
- ⅓ C (25 g) kokonati pūtī (desiccated coconut)
- 55 g pata kua rewaina (melted butter)
The Lemon Cream Layer – Te Paparanga Kirīmi Rēmana
- 3 tbsp wai mātao (cold water)
- 2 tsp paura tetepe (gelatine powder)
- 200 g tiakarete mā (white chocolate, I used Woolworths white chocolate drops from the baking section)
- ⅓ C (85 ml) kirīmi (cream)
- 250 g kirīmi tīhi (cream cheese, allow an hour to come to room temperature before creating the recipe, this helps the mixture stay smooth)
- ⅓ C (50 g) puehu huka (icing sugar)
- Kiri rēmana (lemon zest, of 2 ½ small lemons)
- ⅓ (80 ml) C wai rēmana (lemon juice)
- 1 tbsp wanira (vanilla)
- 1 C (250 ml) kirīmi (cream, chilled)
- 200 g kirīmi kawa (sour cream, chilled)
The Decorations – Ngā Whakarākei (all optional)
- 1 quantity raupua tiakarete mā (white chocolate petals)
- ⅔ mango
- ½ hua tarākona (dragon fruit)
- 60 g tūrutu (blueberries)
- 3 tbsp wairanu kōhia (passionfruit syrup)
- small lavender flowers
Instructions
The Biscuit Layer – Te Paparanga Pihikete
- Grease a 19 cm or a 20 cm spring form cake tin with butter and line it with baking paper on the base and sides.
- Crush the pihikete tiakarete mā (white chocolate biscuits) in a mortar and pestle, a food processor or with a rolling pin. You should have a fine-ish crumb.
- Add the kongakonga pihikete (biscuits crumbs), kokonati (coconut) and pata (butter) to a small bowl. Whakaranuhia – stir until combined.
- Add to the base of the prepared tin. Press the kongakonga (crumb) firmly with the back of a spoon so it is flat. Whakamātaohia – refrigerate.
The Lemon Cream Layer – Te Paparanga Kirīmi Rēmana
- Add the wai (water) in to a small bowl. Add the paura tetepe (gelatine powder) and stir with a fork until combined. Leave to bloom for 5 minutes.
- Add the tiakarete mā (white chocolate) and ⅓ C kirīmi (cream) in to a medium, heat proof bowl. Place it over a pot of barely simmering water (about 3 cm deep) and gently melt. Make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. Remove from the heat and leave to the side to cool.
- Turn the heat off the pot of simmering water and place the ranunga tetepe (gelatine mixture) bowl in to the water to gently melt it. As an alternative, melt it in the microwave for 20 seconds.
- Leave for 2 minutes to cool. Then, in two additions, stir the melted gelatine mixture in to the tiakarete mā (white chocolate). Leave aside.
- Add the room temperature kirīmi tīhi (cream cheese) in to a large bowl. Whisk it with electric beaters for one minute until smooth.
- Add the puehu huka (icing sugar), kiri rēmana (lemon zest), wai rēmana (lemon juice) and wanira (vanilla) in to the kirīmi tīhi (cream cheese).Tāwhuiwhuia – whip it, on low speed for a minute until smooth.
- Add a third of the white chocolate mixture at a time. Whip on low speed (for around 15-20 seconds) after each addition, until smooth.
- To a medium bowl add the kirīmi (cream). Whip until it starts to thicken. Add the kirīmi kawa (sour cream) and continue to whip until thick.
- Fold the ranunga kirīmi (cream mixture) in to the cream cheese mixture in two parts, folding after each addition.
- Pour it on top of the paparanga pihikete (biscuit layer) and smooth it out.
- Refrigerate for 5 hours. I prefer to leave it overnight to develop in flavour. This will last in the fridge for up to five days. If you are making it ahead, cover it with a plate or bowl cover.
The Decorations – Ngā Whakarākei
- Make the raupua tiakarete mā (white chocolate petals) at least an hour before you want to serve it.
- Slice two cheeks off the mango, working around the stone. While the skin is still on, slice the mango in to thin strips. Remove the skin and arrange on the set keke tīhi (cheesecake).
- Remove the skin off half a hua tarākona (dragon fruit) and slice in to small rectangles. Add them around the mango.
- Sprinkle the tūrutu (blueberries) in to the gaps and drizzle over the wairanu kōhia (passionfruit syrup). Finish with the lavender flowers. Serve to your manuhiri (guests) and be proud of your mahi (work)!
Fabulous recipe. A light and delicious cheese cake. Easy to follow instructions and I even managed the chocolate petals which just made it look next level. The whanau were suitably impressed. This will be my go to cheesecake recipe from now on. Thank you!
That is just so awesome to hear Catherine! How cool that you did the chocolate petals as well, I think they are totally worth it. So cool to hear that it will be your go to from now on! Woo hoo!
Another banging recipe. Switched up Christmas treats this year for this instead of trifle. Was holding my breath but zero complaints. And plenty of praise. Naomi you make me look good! This cheesecake was light and delicious and far easier than I thought. I chose lavender, blueberries and lemon curd on top – beautiful and tasty.
Kia ora Louise, what a wonderful message to read! So awesome to hear and I love your combination of lemon curd, lavender and blueberries-that sounds perfect! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!