Hojicha Cheesecake with Roasted Tea Swirl (Printable version)

A luscious creamy cheesecake infused with roasted hojicha tea, featuring buttery graham cracker crust and beautiful swirling pattern.

# What You Need:

→ Crust

01 - 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Hojicha Mixture

05 - 2 tablespoons hojicha loose leaf tea or 2 hojicha tea bags
06 - ½ cup heavy cream

→ Cheesecake Filling

07 - 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
08 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - ½ cup sour cream
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool.
03 - In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream until just steaming. Add hojicha tea, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and cool to room temperature.
04 - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix until combined. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add sour cream, vanilla, and flour; mix until just combined.
05 - Divide about ⅓ cup of cheesecake batter into a separate bowl. Mix in the hojicha cream until well combined.
06 - Pour the plain cheesecake batter over the cooled crust. Drop spoonfuls of hojicha batter on top and use a skewer or knife to swirl gently for a marbled effect.
07 - Place the pan on a baking tray. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
08 - Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
09 - Remove from oven, cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted, nutty flavor of hojicha tea provides a deep, earthy contrast to the sweet cream cheese.
  • The marbling technique creates a stunning visual appeal that is sure to impress guests.
  • It balances the rich creaminess of a traditional cheesecake with the refreshing depth of Japanese green tea.
02 -
  • Do not overmix the batter once the eggs are added; this prevents excess air from entering the mixture, which can cause cracks.
  • Steeping the hojicha for the full 10 minutes is crucial for achieving that deep, toasted aroma.
  • Patience is key—allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly in the oven helps maintain its creamy texture.
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