LEVEL 4: Module 10 — Modern Pastry Architecture
Oreo Cheesecake
A creamy baked cheesecake with chocolate cookie crust and Oreo flavor throughout.
Crust Base
200g Oreo crumbs (without icing)
60g melted butter
Optional:
additional Oreo crumbs for topping
Crust Method
Mix Oreo crumbs and melted butter
Press firmly into prepared pan
Chill or prebake lightly before filling
Cheesecake Filling
370g cream cheese
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
100g sugar
60g sour cream
Cheesecake Method
Beat cream cheese until smooth
Add sugar and mix gently
Add eggs one at a time
Mix in sour cream
👉 Avoid overmixing to prevent excess air.
Pour into crust and bake gently until center still has a slight wobble.
What to Look For
creamy texture
smooth surface
soft custard center
Pumpkin Cheesecake
A spiced cheesecake with creamy pumpkin filling and warm autumn flavors.
Crust
200g Biscoff cookie crumbs
60g melted butter
Spice Blend
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp allspice
pinch nutmeg
pinch cloves
Mix spices together and set aside.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
370g cream cheese
100g sugar
60g sour cream
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
100g pumpkin purée
prepared spice blend
Method
Prepare crust and press into pan
Beat cream cheese until smooth
Add sugar and sour cream
Add eggs gradually
Mix in pumpkin purée and spices
Bake gently until the edges are set and the center remains slightly soft.
Flavor Note
Pumpkin cheesecake should taste balanced and lightly spiced — not overly sweet or heavily seasoned.
Parisian Flan (Flan Parisien)
A rich baked custard enclosed in puff pastry with a smooth creamy texture and caramelized surface.
Ingredients
450g whole milk
125g 35% cream
120g sugar
50g cornstarch
5-6 large egg yolks | 100g
1 vanilla pot
puff pastry shell
Method
Prepare puff pastry shell
Heat milk, 35% cream and half the sugar until steaming
In a separate bowl, whisk:
egg yolks
remaining sugar
cornstarch
Temper egg mixture with warm milk
Return to heat and cook until thickened
Add butter and mix until smooth
Pour into puff pastry shell
Bake at 350°F (175°C) until set and lightly caramelized on top.
What to Look For
smooth custard texture
lightly bronzed surface
clean slices after chilling
Quesadilla Herreña
A traditional Spanish cheese tart from the Canary Islands with a lightly sweet custard texture, warm spices, and delicate citrus aroma.
Baked in a puff pastry shell, this dessert combines fresh cheese, eggs, and spice into a rustic yet elegant pastry.
Ingredients
500g fresh unsalted cheese
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
100g flour
250g sugar
zest of 1 lemon
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 star anise
puff pastry shell
Before You Start
Cheese should be smooth and well drained
Do not overmix once flour is added
Puff pastry should remain chilled before baking
Method
1. Prepare the Filling
In a bowl, combine:
fresh cheese
sugar
lemon zest
cinnamon
Mix until smooth.
2. Add Eggs
Add:
whole egg
egg yolk
Mix gently until incorporated.
3. Add Flour
Fold in flour until smooth.
👉 Avoid overmixing.
4. Prepare the Shell
Line pan with puff pastry.
Pour filling into prepared shell.
Place star anise gently on top or infuse lightly into the filling.
5. Bake
Bake at 200°C until:
golden on top
filling set
pastry crisp and browned
What to Look For
lightly caramelized surface
soft creamy interior
flaky pastry shell
balanced spice and citrus aroma
Common Mistakes
overbaking → dry texture
watery cheese → weak structure
warm pastry → poor puffing
Flavor Note
The combination of lemon zest, cinnamon, and anise creates a warm aromatic flavor that balances the richness of the cheese.
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