Celebrate Shavuot with These Twists on the Classic Cheesecake

Chocolate cheesecake
Photo by Allen Rad on Unsplash

The Jewish holiday of Shavuot is basically an excuse to eat cheesecake. It is traditional to eat dairy foods during the two-day festival, which means that cheesecake is definitely on the menu! You can’t go wrong with a classic version of this dessert, but here are some variations that will have you wishing it was Shavuot every day. 

Matcha Tea

Matcha has become a super popular flavor over the last few years, finding itself in dozens of desserts. Adding some matcha powder to your cheesecake batter will not only make it taste good, but it will also create a beautiful marbled effect.

Rosewater and Pistachio

Nothing says the Middle East more than rosewater and pistachios. Infuse the vibrant flavors into the cake by pouring rosewater into the batter (a little goes a long way) and topping it off with crushed pistachios. 

Chocolate and Chili

Enjoy a hint of spice? Then this one is for you. Add a touch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to chocolate cheesecake batter. As the chocolate can be rather rich, the chili balances it out well. 

Coconut Lime

Take your cheesecake to the tropics! Include shredded coconut in the crust of the cake, and infuse the filling with some lime juice and zest.