Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 87 Comments

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4.72 from 28 votes

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Try this Japanese Cheesecake or Cotton Cheesecake recipe for a super fluffy, light-as-air cheesecake you will ever make. Add some fresh berries to make it pretty and ready for any special occasions.

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (1)

  • What is Japanese Cheesecake?
  • The secret for making the perfect Japanese Cheesecake
  • Printable Recipe
  • Japanese Cheesecake

What is Japanese Cheesecake?

It is fluffy, it is jiggly and it is yummy!

Japanese cheesecake or also known as cotton cake, Japanesesouffle cake or pillow cake is a kind of sponge cake where the egg whites are whipped into a meringue and then added to the cream cheese-egg yolk batter to create a fluffy texture. The cake is then baked in bain marieor a hot water bath that makes it moist and jiggly.

It has fewer calories per serving than a regular cheesecake as it contains less sugar and cheese.

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (2)

It took me a while to writeabout this beautiful and heavenly Japanese Cheesecake. The reason for that is, I had to do it three times to get it picture-ready for my blog, but I am not complaining at all, neither is Armin from the looks of it. He was actually the one urging me to make a "better" one and then another. Although the first two Japanese cheesecakes I made were not picture perfect, they were still delicious.

It was only that my first one came up nice after baking but once it cooled down it turned wrinkled at the top. The second one was firmer and nice all throughout even after chilling but it had a big crack on one side separating the top brown part from the rest of the cake, which of course looked weird.

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (3)But after reading a lot of different Japanese Cheesecake recipes and my multipleattempts, (I think) I know now why I failed the first two times.

With all the three cakes I made, I only used the same recipe that my most beautiful sis-in-law, ate Mia, gave me (do not worry that I hurt anybody else's feeling with my superlative comment as she is the only sis-in-law I have).

The secret for making the perfect Japanese Cheesecake

So I knew that it has to be the technique I was using that was causing all the problems. At both times I might have over-beaten my egg whites. This caused the cake to rise too much and with the first cake. The which I baked at 160°C for about 30 minutes then lower the temperature to 140°C because I thought it was already too hot, it made the cake rise then deflate, thus, the wrinkled surface.

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (4)

As for the second cake, which I baked at 200°C for 15 minutes and lowering again to 150°C for another 50 minutes, it did not have wrinkles but cracked instead.

So I, therefore, conclude, that over-beating the meringue and baking the Japanese cheesecake at a temperature that is too low or too high and too long will result to a not so good looking but still delectable cakes.

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (5)For the third cake (this one in the pictures), I beat the egg whites at only medium-high speed (never use high speed) until almostreaching soft peaks and stop there and baked the cheesecake at 200°C for 15 minutes then 150°C for another 15 minutes then turning off the oven and leave it there for another 30 minutes with the oven door closed and another 10 minutes with door open.

Below is a visual to show the stages of beating egg whites to make a meringue. Remember, we only want to get to the 3rd stage, the soft peaks.

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (6)

The result... a perfect dome with no wrinkles nor cracks. With this technique, the cakedid rise but notasmuch as the first two times. Which is good...or bad...depending on how you like it I guess... I like to have the Japanese Cheesecake while it is still slightly warm. But it is equally good when chilled for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (7)

Printable Recipe

Japanese Cheesecake

4.72 from 28 votes

Try this Japanese Cheesecake or cotton cheesecake recipe for a super fluffy, light-as-air and heavenly cheesecake you will ever make.

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Course :Dessert

Servings =6

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Ingredients

  • 10 ounces cream cheese
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 5 large eggs - white and yolks separated
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)
  • ¼ cup sugar

Instructions

  • Line the bottom and sides of an 8 inch round pan or springform with parchment paper. Wrap the pan with 2 sheets of aluminum foil (no need if using aluminum pan) sealing it completely.

  • Fill a larger pan halfway with water. Place it the lowest rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 150°C.

  • Combine the cream cheese and butter in a big microwave safe bowl. Warm it in the microwave until it melts. Add ¼ cup sugar and mix well until mixture is smooth.

  • Using a whisk, add the milk and lemon juice and mix. Add the yolks one a time while mixing. Sift the flour and cornstarch while gradually adding them to the mixture and mix until well combined and smooth. Sieve the mixture if needed to get rid of lumps.

  • Beat the egg whites at low speed for 2 minutes, add the cream of tartar if using and increase speed to medium-low and beat until foamy. Gradually add ¼ cup sugar while beating for another 30 seconds then turn speed to medium-high and beat until almost soft peaks forms.

  • Using the whisk, fold in the meringue into the cream cheese mixture in three parts until well combined.

  • Pour the batter into the lined pan. Tap the pan on the kitchen or tabletop to remove the bubbles. Place the pan into the water bath and bake at 200°C for 15 minutes, lower the temperature to 150°C and bake for another 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the pan in the water bath inside with the door closed for another 30 minutes then another 10 minutes with door open.

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 9gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 229mgSodium: 287mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 0gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 1130IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 1.2mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

Easy Japanese Cheesecake Recipe - so fluffy and jiggly! - Foxy Folksy (2024)

FAQs

Why is my Japanese cheesecake not fluffy? ›

If the oven isn't hot enough, the egg whites will deflate and the cheesecake will be dense and heavy instead of light and airy, so turning on the oven is always the first thing I do.

How do you keep Japanese cheesecake from deflating? ›

Over mixed batter - With meringue based batter, it is crucial to not over-mix. Over-mixing the batter will deflate the meringue, creating a dense cake and separation in the Japanese cheesecake. That's when you see a super dense layer of rubbery cake, usually at the bottom.

What is so special about Japanese cheesecake? ›

One thing that makes Japanese cheesecake different and special is its unique texture. Unlike traditional cheesecakes, which are dense and heavy, Japanese cheesecakes are light and airy. With a combination of whipped egg whites and cream cheese, this dessert takes on the perfect balance of smoothness and fluffiness.

Why did my cheesecake come out fluffy? ›

Cold ingredients are a big no-no when it comes to cheesecake. If your ingredients are cold you will have to mix them longer which will whip too much air into your batter. If the cake has too much air, it will rise too much in the oven and then the middle will sink when cooling.

Why is my cheesecake still jiggly after baking? ›

If there is a large, jiggly area, or if liquid breaks the surface or sloshes over the edges of the pan, the cheesecake is not finished cooking. Bake the cheesecake for another 5 minutes or so before checking it again for doneness. Expect sour cream filling to jiggle more than cream cheese filling.

Why is my cheesecake so wobbly? ›

BAKING & COOLING TIME

Don't worry if the cheesecake is still wobbly in the middle, it should be – like a quiche or a custard tart, a cheesecake shouldn't be cooked until it's firm all the way through.

Does Japanese fluffy cheesecake need to be refrigerated? ›

How long will they last? Our Japanese Cheesecakes can stay in room temperature for up to 12 hours. We recommend putting them in the fridge as soon as possible, and they can last refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Why did my Japanese cheesecake go flat? ›

If you over-mix, the cake will not rise. If you under-mix, your cake will be uneven. The egg white will float to the top and you'll have a meringue-like cake at the top, and a dense cheesecake at the bottom. Pour the well-incorporated, but not over-mixed batter into the baking pan(s).

How do you fix jiggly cheesecake? ›

Remove the oven from the oven and let the cake sit for a few hours. If the jiggly surface is greater than 2 inches or the cooked batter breaks through the surface or spills out to the edge of the baking dish, it is undercooked and you must place it back into the oven for additional time.

What is another name for Japanese cheesecake? ›

Japanese cheesecake (Japanese: スフレチーズケーキ), also known as soufflé-style cheesecake, cotton cheesecake, or light cheesecake, is a variety of cheesecake that is usually lighter in texture and less sweet than North American-style cheesecakes.

What is the difference between Western and Japanese cheesecake? ›

Western cheesecakes are dense, cream cheese forward, and much sweeter. The Japanese counterpart is more eggy with just a hint of cream cheese flavor, and less sweet overall. If made correctly, it will actually jiggle with a consistency akin to a chiffon cake or an angel food cake.

Do you eat Japanese cheesecake warm? ›

After the cheesecakes come out of the oven, they are stamped, placed into the iconic red & white boxes, and are ready to be served to the wanting customer, who in some cases was waiting for the next batch to come out of the oven. Did you know that Japanese cheesecakes can be eaten both warm and cool?

What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›

Adding richness and a smooth texture, the proteins in the eggs set up during the gentle baking process, solidifying the dense network of dairy and sugar into a sliceable whole. Too many eggs will create a cracked and sunken cheesecake with an overly firm texture. Too few eggs and the cheesecake won't set well.

Should cheesecake be dense or fluffy? ›

It should be puffy on the edges but visibly underdone in the center. Around 70-75 min in, you can quickly open the oven door and jiggle the cheesecake gently. It should be firm on the edges but quite jiggly in the center. You can also touch the center of the cheesecake lightly - it should feel firm and bouncy.

Can you over beat a cheesecake? ›

With a few basic tips your cheesecake will bake rich, creamy and more fantastic than ever. Follow our tips for fabulous results. Avoid Overmixing: Unlike other cakes, where beating air into the batter is key, overmixed cheesecake can rise, fall and then crack from that excess air.

Why is my Japanese cheesecake flat? ›

Over-mixing the batter causes the whipped egg whites to deflate. The signature soft and fluffy texture comes from the air whipped into the egg whites. Without the extra air the cake will not be able to rise resulting in a flat and dense cake.

Why is my souffle not rising? ›

If the temperature is too low, the souffle won't rise properly. If the temperature is too high, the souffle will rise just like a popover with big air pockets inside. Ideally, bake the souffle in the lower third of the oven.

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