Sometimes, the craving to bake or make something is so bad, that I just need a recipe that is quick, fool-proof and simple. By simple I mean one or two pans, minimal utensils (i.e minimal washing as our dishwasher is still out of action) and ingredients I readily have in the house. If this isn’t your first time on my blog, you would know I use Valrhona chocolate and always have a good stash of it in the house. If you don’t have access to this beautiful chocolate, please use the best you can find. Trust me, it makes all the difference to your desserts.

This is my go-to no bake cheesecake recipe, which combines all the things I like – Valrhona chocolate, Westgold butter, Tim Tams and cold desserts.

There aren’t many seperate elements to prepare in this recipe, which qualifies it as simple. I don’t even need the oven, just some fridge and freezer space. Tick.

I have been practising my chocolate tempering techniques and love how the cut chocolate shapes can keep for a while in a cool place, so I can use it on my desserts whenever I need them. i.e. readily available.

The beautiful dome shapes are made using Silikomart molds, and the design is inspired by the stunning work of Maja Vase, one of my favourite foodies on Instagram. These molds can be purchased online and through Savour, a Melbourne patisserie school by none other than Kirsten Tibballs. I dream of the day I fly over for their many cooking classes.

I’ve just taken delivery of some new molds and am so excited with the new cake designs that I am going to do soon. (People walking past me must wonder what good news I have, with the big grin on my face 😅). But for now, I give to you this velvety chocolate goodie.

P.s. by ‘quick’, I am referring to the making time, not how long before I can eat it. That part I don’t worry so much as I am more of a maker than eater, which I leave for my tasters.

Ingredients

• 350g Tim Tam Biscuits, Iced Coffee flavour (2 packets)
• 120g butter, melted (I use Westgold)
• 3 teaspoon gelatine powder
• 60ml (1/4 cup) boiling water
• 500g cream cheese, at room temperature
• 150g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
• 400ml cream (35% fat minimum)
• 120g milk chocolate, melted (I use Valrhona Jivara 40%, notes of caramel and vanilla enhanced with a touch of malt)
• 120g dark chocolate, melted (I use Valrhona Manjari 64%, heavenly acidulous red fruit and dried-fruit hints. Single Origin Madagascar)

Directions

1. Release the base of an 8cm-deep, 22cm (base measurement) springform pan and invert. (This is so that you get a sharp 90 degree bottom edge.)
2. Grease the base disc and line with a large piece of baking paper, then secure the ring over the base disc, allowing the baking paper edges to overhang. The baking paper is now held in place by the pan. Grease the side of the pan and line with baking paper.
3. Process the Tim Tams in a food processor until finely crushed. Add the butter and process until well combined. Transfer the biscuit mixture to the prepared pan. Use a straight-sided glass to spread and press the mixture over the base of the pan. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
4. Place the boiling water in a small heatproof glass. Sprinkle over the Gelatine powder. Stir until gelatine dissolves and set aside.
5. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in the bowl until smooth. Add cream and beat until smooth. Add the gelatine mixture and beat to combine.
6. Divide mixture between 2 bowls. Add the melted milk chocolate to one of the bowls and stir to combine.
7. Fill 12 half spheres of the silikomart micro dome molds with the milk chocolate cheesecake mixture. Place in freezer to set overnight. For the rest of the milk chocolate cheesecake, pour over the biscuit base and smooth the surface. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
8. Fold the melted dark chocolate into the remaining bowl of cream cheese mixture until combined. Fill 6 of the silikomart quenelle molds with the dark chocolate cheesecake. Place in freezer to set overnight. For the rest of the dark chocolate cheesecake, pour over the milk chocolate layer and smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 4 hours or until set.

Assembly

Remove cream cheese micro domes and quenelles from freezer and place strategically on the cheesecake. Sprinkle over Valrhona crunchy pearls and decorate with tempered chocolate discs.