Millionaire’s Cheesecake: A Luxurious Treat to Savor

Millionaire’s Cheesecake is a luxurious dessert that brings together the best of all worlds—creamy, velvety cheesecake, a buttery shortbread crust, rich caramel, and a silky dark chocolate ganache. This no-bake treat is perfect for impressing guests or simply indulging in something truly special. It’s a dessert that speaks of elegance, yet it’s surprisingly easy to make. Each bite offers layers of texture and flavor, making it a delightful experience from the first taste to the last.

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This cheesecake is not just a dessert; it’s an experience—one that celebrates the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and richness. The base is a crisp, buttery shortbread, the filling a smooth, velvety cream cheese blend, and the topping a decadent caramel sauce and a glossy ganache. Together, they form a rich dessert that feels indulgent but is wonderfully balanced in sweetness. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply craving a treat to elevate your day, Millionaire’s Cheesecake is your ticket to dessert bliss.

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Base:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
• 1 stick butter (114g), cold and cut into pieces
• ¼ cup white sugar (50g)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Cheesecake:

• 3 ¼ cups cream cheese (740g), softened
• ½ cup white sugar (100g)
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (240ml / 240g), chilled (must be 33% fat or higher)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Caramel:

• 1 cup light brown sugar (200g)
• 2 sticks butter (227g)
• ⅓ cup golden corn syrup (100g)
• 1 can condensed milk (397g)
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 1 cup dark chocolate (175g), chopped
• ½ cup whipping cream (120ml / 120g)

How to Create the Perfect Millionaire’s Cheesecake

Crafting the Shortbread Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). For the shortbread crust, place the flour, butter, sugar, and salt into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour and sugar until it forms a crumbly texture.

Squish the mixture together into a dough and then press it firmly into the base of a round, loose-bottomed cake pan. Lining the base of the pan with parchment paper is a helpful tip for easy removal later. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and fragrant. Once baked, allow it to cool before adding the cheesecake filling.

Whipping Up the Cheesecake Filling

While the shortbread crust is cooling, get to work on the cheesecake filling. Start by whipping the chilled heavy cream until stiff peaks form, then set it aside. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, white sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. The mixture should be completely free of lumps.

Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, making sure not to overmix. You want to keep the airy texture of the whipped cream intact for a light and creamy filling. Once combined, pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled shortbread base and smooth it out evenly. Refrigerate while preparing the caramel layer.

Making the Caramel

To make the caramel, melt the light brown sugar, butter, and golden corn syrup in a pan over medium heat. Stir constantly as the mixture begins to boil. Once it reaches a boil, continue stirring for a few minutes as the mixture froths up. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the condensed milk and salt. Return it to the heat and bring it back to a boil for another minute, or until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Once thickened, remove the caramel from the heat and let it cool for about 90 minutes. The caramel should still be warm but not too hot when you pour it over the cheesecake. Set aside about ¼ of the caramel for drizzling or decorating later. Pour the remaining caramel over the cheesecake and smooth it out evenly. Let it chill in the fridge for several hours, or ideally overnight.

Preparing the Chocolate Ganache

For the ganache, chop the dark chocolate into small pieces and place it in a medium-sized bowl. In a saucepan, heat the whipping cream over medium heat until it begins to steam and small bubbles form around the edges. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for about 1 minute before stirring gently to combine. The mixture should turn smooth and glossy.

Allow the ganache to cool to room temperature before spreading it over the top of the cheesecake. Once the ganache has set, drizzle the reserved caramel over the cheesecake slices just before serving.

Chill and Serve

After adding the ganache and caramel drizzle, let the cheesecake chill in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours, preferably overnight, to ensure everything sets properly. Once chilled, carefully remove the cheesecake from the pan and slice it into 16 pieces. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle the remaining caramel on top of each slice before serving.

Tips for Perfect Millionaire’s Cheesecake

• Crispier Base: If you want to ensure the shortbread base stays crisp, you can melt a small amount of chocolate and pour it over the crust before adding the cheesecake filling. This forms a protective layer that prevents the base from becoming soggy.
• Gluten-Free Version: To make this cheesecake gluten-free, use a gluten-free shortbread or alternative cookie base. You can also substitute the flour with almond flour to maintain the shortbread texture.
• Caramel Alternative: If caramel isn’t your favorite, you could swap it for a fruity topping, like a fresh berry compote, or a tangy raspberry layer. This would create a lighter, more refreshing version of the cheesecake.
• Dairy-Free Option: For a dairy-free version, substitute the cream cheese with a non-dairy alternative like cashew cream cheese or coconut-based cream cheese. Replace the heavy cream with coconut cream and ensure the chocolate ganache is dairy-free.

Millionaire’s Cheesecake is the kind of dessert that transforms an ordinary occasion into something extraordinary. Its layers of rich cheesecake, buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate ganache are designed to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. It’s a treat that’s sure to delight, whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply treating yourself to something spectacular.