Durian & White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
WARNING – Not for the Faint Hearted.
You know the saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”? Well I think I just disproved that with my durian cheesecake.
Cheese is not something everyone can wrap their brains around, essentially it is a block of moulding milk by-products. Whether it be buffalo or cow milk you cannot argue against the fact that all cheese imparts quite a strong smell, really I think the only thing that is smellier is the Durian.
What can I say about Durian except that it is hands down the only fruit that really divides people, you either really like it or detest it. Never in the history of all things food related has one fruit been banned from hotels and public transport. I especially love reading about people’s first encounter with durian, I don’t think I’ve read anything funnier than, “It’s odor is best described as pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock“, as expressed ever so eloquently by Travel and food writer Richard Sterling.
Durian Cheesecake
Initially I intended on baking a regular New York Cheesecake to dedicate to my two besties, Judy and Teresa currently living it up in NYC. I remembered bawling my eyes out whilst saying goodbye to them. What a waste of tears, all I hear now from them is how great NYC is… I’m so jealous.
I didn’t want to make just any cheesecake, I wanted a twist and so decided on Durian. My train of thought was, cheese can be slightly salty, whereas durian can be extremely sweet, and hopefully they would balance each other out. In terms of smell, there was absolutely no way of eradicating the smell of durian, however theoretically the pungent smell of the cheese would reduce the harshness of the durian.
Durianeese in all its glory
A quick Google search revealed that the idea of Durian cheesecake was not as original as I had thought. A couple of people have already experimented with it with results ranging from baked to non baked cheesecakes. There was one recipe that really caught my attention so I opted to follow it, with the only modification to the recipe to substitute Oreos Biscuits with white chocolate. My version does not look anywhere as beautiful as hers, but I absolutely enjoyed the flavour.
Prep work
Unfortunately while tempering the chocolate to cover the sides of my cake, I ran out of acetate and had to do a dodgy job of patching the sides up with pieces of chocolate. Overall, the cake is not as elegant as I had envisioned but the taste more than makes up for it. With each bite of the cake, you’re not inundated with the strong smell of Durian, only a slight hint which is well complimented with the buttery base. My favourite aspect of the cake is the texture of the filling, it’s not too dense and is rather airy and moist.
Whether you’re a fan of Durian or not I’d suggest you give this cake a go, you’ll be surprised. However if you truly hate Durian feel free to substitute it for something else.
Finished product
Baked Durian Cheesecake
Adapted from Kitchen Corner
Base
- 160g crushed Scotch Fingers biscuit
- 80g melted butter
Filling
- 450g cream cheese
- 80g caster sugar
- 170g durian flesh
- 3 eggs
- 80ml milk
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Recipe for 7 inches
- To make the base, stir all ingredients until combined. Press mixture into base. Set aside.
- To make the filling, beat cream cheese, sugar and durian flesh until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in milk and cornstarch until blended. Reserve 1 tbsp cheese mixture for topping, the rest mixture pour into tin.
- Steam baked at 170C for 45 minutes (my oven 150C for 50 minutes) or until light brown.
- Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely. Chill in fridge 5 hours or overnight.
- Decorate sides of cake with tempered white chocolate and chocolate curls.
Author
By linda
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This article was written on 09 Aug 2010, and is filed under Dessert Recipes.
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i think my heart skipped a beat when i saw the title of this post zomg i heart durian! your presentation is fabulous as always linda!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Fullerton and Mark Fullerton, Denyse Skipper – RSS. Denyse Skipper – RSS said: Durian & White Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe: WARNING – Not for the Faint Hearted. You know the saying, “Two wrongs … http://bit.ly/9CXGY1 [...]
Yumm, this looks amazing linda. I am a durian convert, I hated it as a child but now I love it. ROFL that description of the smell is hilarious. I reckon this would work great with jackfruit for those who don't like durian!
That's so freaking awesome! Would be good to make this for my parents since they aren't big on sweets.
This sounds amazing. I really do love love love durians and can’t really understand people saying that it stinks? But then I grew up with durians.
Shall have to give it a go, me thinks!
the dessert queen has done it again!. the cake just looks awesomely delicious. <3
Yum! Can I come over? I loooove durian!
Linda, you never cease to amaze me. I'm not too sure how I feel about durian. I actually like the smell of it (smells of home!) and I have nothing against the taste but ummm, I think I might need a slice or two of your cheesecake to see
I loooooooooooovve durians! durain cheesecake?yes I want to bake this but im afraid my sis will kill me. Oh yea, she faints when she smelled chocolate.
That first picture looks stunning!! the Durian is such a creative idea to add in a cheesecake,
This could be the next master chef challenge =)
Well, since I bathe daily, and use a good-quality deodorant, my armpits always smell quite pleasant, thank you.
And since I would NEVER eat something as disgusting as durian, I suppose that I will not likely be able to make a rational comparison.
Carrion, please.
I still have not had durian, I don’t even know what it tastes like but I want even more to know now! Time t make a trip to Chinatown me thinks….
WOW i am so jealous~!~ UI love both durian and cheesecake – the combo makes such a great dessert! looks liek it turned out pretty well and I am also jealous that you have a Kitchen Aid!! I was looking to buy one but they are so expensive, where did you get yours from??? <3
Omg! Love it! Am one of those who loooves durian and would so make this! Question though.. did you use frozen or fresh durian?
Hi Min AI- I used Fresh Durian. If you love durian then I definitely recommend you make this, you won't regret it.
Oh my! I’m sorry but I absolutely detest durian! =p Love the idea though would never try it myself =D
angie´s last [type] ..Wenger Knives & Calabrian Masterclass at Carrick Cooking School 2nd August
I use to hate it with a passion and still hate the frozen & artificial applications of the fruit. Depending of the quality of the fresh, don’t mind it so much.
After the trip to Malaysia, I’d actually be interested to see how this’d taste.
he, he.. the pics look wonderful… tho I’m not convinced about the taste!
Your cheesecake looks luscious! Too bad hubby can’t stand durian. No chance of me making anything with durian at home.
Ellie (Almost Bourdain)´s last [type] ..Nutella & Mascarpone Ice Cream with Hazelnut Praline
Such a divisive fruit! I don’t find it offensive but I’ve heard well-mannered people swear when they’ve smelt it and others complain of gas leaks! Well, I’d eat it and I’m sure those who won’t can at least appreciate how good it looks!
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[...] Spring has finally arrived! From memory, I think this winter has been one of the coldest that I have experienced. Finally, gone are the harsh windy and wet weather, replaced by beautiful bright sunny days. Not to mention that we’re inching closer towards daylight savings, all the more reason to celebrate. Most people do a spring clean just to freshen and brighten things up around the house, to get them in to a happy mood and generally ready for summer. For me, I like to bake, ditching my messy room for my messy kitchen. What better way to celebrate this glorious weather then to whip up something simple, something that can be done within a couple of hours as opposed to a couple of days. [...]