Trader Joe's Basque Style Cheesecakes Review: Put This on the Permanent Basque-et

Every once in a while, Trader Joe's releases something that makes me question one of their favorite business decisions:

Why is this a limited run?

Trader Joe's Basque Style Cheesecakes are sold frozen for $4.99. Inside the box are two individually portioned cheesecakes, each with a dramatically browned top that might make you wonder whether someone at the factory forgot to set a timer.

They didn't. That's the point. These were my first experience with Basque-style cheesecake, and after one bite I understood the appeal.

These are absolutely delicious.

Trader Joe's, we're going to need to discuss that "limited run" situation.

Review

Cheesecake comes in a lot of different styles.

You've got classic New York cheesecake, flavored cheesecakes, no-bake cheesecake, Japanese cheesecake, and apparently an entire cheesecake universe I haven't completely worked my way through yet.

Basque cheesecake was one of the styles I hadn't tried.

So when I opened the package and saw just how browned these were on top, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.

But then I took a bite.

Oh. These are good. Really good.

There's a beautiful balance between sweetness and that slightly tangy, cheesy flavor you actually want from cheesecake.

They're rich without becoming obnoxiously sweet, and the individual size is just about perfect.

I went into this expecting to review another frozen Trader Joe's dessert.

I finished it wondering why Trader Joe's isn't selling these all year.

What Is Basque Cheesecake?

If you've never had Basque cheesecake before, the appearance might throw you off.

That dramatically dark top is intentional.

Basque-style cheesecake originated in San Sebastián, Spain, at a restaurant called La Viña. Unlike the classic American cheesecake many of us are familiar with, traditional Basque cheesecake doesn't have a graham cracker crust.

It's baked at a much higher temperature, which creates its signature deeply browned, caramelized exterior while the inside remains especially soft and creamy.

So that dark top?

That's not the cheesecake equivalent of forgetting something in the oven.

That's the assignment.

And it gives Basque cheesecake a very different personality from the pale, perfectly smooth cheesecakes you might be used to seeing.

What Do Trader Joe's Basque Style Cheesecakes Taste Like?

The first thing I appreciated was the balance.

These aren't sugar bombs.

You get sweetness, obviously, but there's enough tangy cream cheese flavor coming through to remind you that you're actually eating cheesecake.

That's important.

Sometimes cheesecake becomes so loaded with sugar, toppings, sauces, crusts, and other flavors that the actual cheese component gets lost.

Not here. This tastes like cheesecake: sweet, creamy, slightly tangy, and rich.

And then you get that deeply browned exterior adding another dimension to the whole thing.

It's relatively simple, and that's exactly why it works.

About That Browned Top

If you're unfamiliar with Basque cheesecake, you might take one look at these and think:

Did Trader Joe's burn my dessert?

Nope. Mine weren't quite as dark as the picture would have you believe.

In fact, the browned top is arguably the most important visual characteristic of Basque-style cheesecake.

The high-heat baking process creates that dramatically caramelized exterior, which provides contrast with the creamy filling underneath.

And Trader Joe's definitely committed to the look.

Don't judge them by appearance alone.

That dark top is hiding a very good cheesecake underneath.

The interior is creamy and rich without being excessively dense.

That's another place where these distinguish themselves from a classic New York-style cheesecake.

A traditional New York cheesecake can be quite dense, firm, and substantial.

This feels softer and creamier.

The contrast between that deeply browned exterior and the creamy interior makes each bite more interesting than the relatively simple ingredient concept might suggest.

And because each cheesecake is individually portioned, you get plenty of that exterior in relation to the creamy center.

I'm not complaining.

Trader Joe's didn't make the mistake of turning cheesecake into pure sugar.

There's enough sweetness to make this clearly dessert, but there's also enough cream cheese flavor to provide some tanginess and balance.

That's exactly what I want.

Sweet cheesecake is good.

Cheesecake that still tastes like cheese is better.

And these manage that balance beautifully. My only complaint is that this is right now a limited-run item.

Serving Suggestions

Personally? I'd start by doing absolutely nothing. These don't need help.

But if you want to dress them up, there are some easy options.

• Fresh berries: Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries would add some acidity and freshness against the rich cheesecake.
• Berry sauce: A simple raspberry or strawberry sauce would work beautifully without overpowering the cheesecake.
• Espresso: Rich cheesecake and strong coffee are natural partners.
• Fresh whipped cream: Keep it lightly sweetened so the cheesecake remains the star.
• A little sea salt: If you enjoy sweet and salty desserts, the tiniest sprinkle could emphasize the caramelized flavor of the browned exterior.
• Fresh fruit: Sliced peaches or other slightly tart fruit could work nicely when in season.

But again, none of this is necessary. Take it out of the package. Put it on a plate. Grab a fork. Done.

FAQs about Trader Joe's Basque Style Cheesecakes

The following are commonly asked questions about this product:

Final Thoughts

Sometimes Trader Joe's releases a limited-run product and I understand why. It's interesting. You try it once. You move on.

Trader Joe's Basque Style Cheesecakes are not one of those products.

Make these permanent. Please.

The deeply browned appearance initially caught me off guard because I'd never had Basque cheesecake before.

The flavor won me over immediately.

They're creamy without being excessively dense, sweet without being cloying, and tangy enough that the cream cheese flavor isn't lost.

Even better, the individual portions are just right.

At $4.99 for two, I think these are an easy recommendation for cheesecake fans.

My only real regret? There were only two in the box.

Trader Joe's, you've made your point.

Now put them in the freezer aisle permanently.