Cheesecake (Cooking)

Cheesecake is a dessert made with a soft fresh cheese (typically cottage cheese, cream cheese, mascarpone, quark, or ricotta), and sugar, with either eggs or cream depending if it is to be baked or not. It may have a crust or base made from crushed cookies, digestive biscuits, graham crackers, pastry, or sometimes sponge cake. Cheesecake is known for its rich, creamy flavor and smooth texture. It may be baked or unbaked and is usually served chilled. Cheesecake dates back to ancient Greece, and evolved into the modern form around the 18th century. There are many regional variations of cheesecake. Vanilla, spices, lemon, chocolate, pumpkin, or other flavors may be added to the main cheese layer. Additional flavors and visual appeal may be added by topping the finished dessert with fruit, whipped cream, nuts, cookies, fruit sauce, chocolate syrup, or other ingredients.