Decadent Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Delight
Indulge in the creamy, luscious flavors of our Decadent Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Delight, inspired by TGI Fridays' legendary dessert. This cheesecake boasts a rich graham cracker crust, a velvety cream cheese filling infused with real vanilla beans, and an elegant white chocolate mousse topping. The experience finishes with a luscious dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream. Although the ingredient list may seem extensive, the resulting cheesecake is bound to impress family and friends, making it a perfect centerpiece for any gathering. A delightful treat for any occasion, this cheesecake is worth every moment spent preparing it!
12
Servings
292
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Graham crackers, finely crushed
1 1/2 cups (Crushed)
Granulated sugar
1/4 cup (None)
Unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup (Melted)
Egg yolk
1 (Beaten)
Vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Cream cheese
16 ounces (Softened)
Sour cream
1 cup (None)
Cornstarch
2 tablespoons (None)
Granulated sugar
1 cup (None)
Unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons (Softened)
Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Vanilla bean
1 (Seeds scraped from the pod)
Heavy whipping cream
1 cup (None)
Powdered sugar
2 tablespoons (None)
Cream cheese
4 ounces (Softened)
White chocolate baking squares, melted
4 ounces (Melted)
Heavy whipping cream (for topping)
1 cup (None)
Powdered sugar (for topping)
1 tablespoon (None)
Vanilla bean
1 (Beans scraped from the pod)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). To create the crust, combine the crushed graham crackers and sugar in a bowl. Mix in the melted butter, beaten egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Coat the bottom of a springform pan with non-stick foil and firmly press the graham cracker mixture into the base to form an even layer. Bake the crust for about 8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
2
For the cheesecake filling, in a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cornstarch, and sugar. Mix on low speed until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Add in the softened butter, vanilla extract, and the vanilla bean seeds, mixing gently until all ingredients are well incorporated but do not overmix. Pour the filling onto the cooled graham cracker crust.
3
Bake the cheesecake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes or until the center is set and only slightly jiggly. Once baked, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door ajar for 1 hour to cool gradually.
4
While the cheesecake cools, prepare the white chocolate mousse. In a cold mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add in 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar, beating until stiff. Transfer the whipped cream to the refrigerator. In the same bowl (don’t wash it), mix the 4 ounces of softened cream cheese until fluffy. Blend in the melted white chocolate until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped cream until fully combined. Refrigerate the mousse until the cheesecake is ready.
5
For the vanilla bean whipped cream, use a cold mixing bowl to beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. Once soft peaks form, slowly add 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar and the vanilla bean seeds, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
6
After the cheesecake has cooled for 1 hour, spread the white chocolate mousse evenly over the top. Place the cheesecake back in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to set. Once set, gently spread the vanilla bean whipped cream atop the mousse. Refrigerate the cheesecake for several hours or overnight before serving.
Nutrition Information
19g
Fat
27g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Delight?
It is a rich, multi-layered dessert featuring a graham cracker crust, a vanilla bean-infused cream cheese filling, white chocolate mousse, and vanilla bean whipped cream.
What is the inspiration for this cheesecake recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the legendary vanilla bean cheesecake served at TGI Fridays.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 12 servings.
What are the nutritional facts per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 292 calories, 19g of fat, 27g of carbohydrates, and 5g of protein.
What ingredients are needed for the crust?
The crust requires 1 1/2 cups of crushed graham crackers, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 beaten egg yolk, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.
At what temperature should the crust be baked?
The crust should be baked at 375°F (190°C) for about 8 minutes.
What makes the cheesecake filling creamy?
The filling uses a combination of softened cream cheese, sour cream, and softened butter to achieve its velvety texture.
How much sugar is in the cheesecake filling?
The filling contains 1 cup of granulated sugar.
How do I prepare the vanilla bean for this recipe?
You should scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean pod to incorporate them into the filling and the whipped cream.
At what temperature and for how long is the filling baked?
The cheesecake is baked at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes.
How should the cheesecake cool after baking?
Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door ajar for 1 hour to cool gradually.
What is the white chocolate mousse topping made of?
It consists of heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and melted white chocolate baking squares.
How do I make the white chocolate mousse?
Beat heavy cream and sugar into stiff peaks, then fold it into a mixture of whipped cream cheese and melted white chocolate.
What are the components of the vanilla bean whipped cream?
It is made from 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar, and the seeds from one vanilla bean.
How do I assemble the layers?
Spread the white chocolate mousse over the cooled cheesecake, let it set in the fridge for an hour, then top with the vanilla bean whipped cream.
How long should the cheesecake chill before serving?
The cheesecake should be refrigerated for several hours or overnight for the best results.
What type of pan should be used?
A springform pan coated with non-stick foil is recommended for this recipe.
Why is cornstarch added to the cheesecake filling?
Two tablespoons of cornstarch are added to help stabilize the filling and give it a clean slice.
Does this recipe use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifically calls for unsalted butter in both the crust and the filling.
How do I know when the cheesecake is finished baking?
The cheesecake is done when the center is set and only slightly jiggly.
Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla beans?
While vanilla beans provide the best flavor and visual 'specks,' you can use vanilla extract if beans are unavailable, though the recipe uses both.
Is there an egg in the crust?
Yes, one beaten egg yolk is included in the graham cracker crust mixture.
What kind of white chocolate is best for the mousse?
The recipe suggests using 4 ounces of white chocolate baking squares, melted.
What speed should I use when mixing the filling?
The filling should be mixed on low speed to ensure the sugar dissolves without incorporating too much air.
How many vanilla beans are used in total?
A total of two vanilla beans are used: one for the cheesecake filling and one for the whipped cream topping.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized as a Cheesecake.
What is the texture of the white chocolate mousse?
The mousse is light and fluffy because it involves folding whipped cream into cream cheese and chocolate.
Is the sour cream added to the filling or the topping?
The 1 cup of sour cream is added directly into the cheesecake filling.
What tags describe this dessert?
Tags include cheesecake, dessert, vanilla bean, white chocolate, creamy, sweet, baked, homemade, indulgent, and tgi fridays inspired.
Is this a good recipe for a special occasion?
Yes, its decadent layers and elegant presentation make it a perfect centerpiece for any gathering.