Brazilian Guava Cheesecake

The state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeast of Brazil, is home to two of the coffees featured in this month’s Explore Brazil Subscription box: our Regional Blend, Cerrado Mineiro; and our Microlot from Francisco Guimarães.

 Minas Gerais state is known worldwide for both the production of coffees with incredible flavor profiles—the certification of Denomination of Origin of the Cerrado Mineiro testifies to this—and as the source of many delicious recipes.

 The Cerrado Mineiro, located in the northwest of Minas Gerais State, produces over 25 percent of the coffee that comes from Minas Gerais. But it is also Brazil’s center of dairy production, a fact that directly influences the region’s gastronomy. Queijo minas, for instance, is a cheese handmade in the state of Minas Gerais that is known for its softness, freshness, and mild flavor. If you love Brazilian coffee and love Brazilian culture, the recipe below is perfect for you. We hope you enjoy exploring unique coffees from the Cerrado Mineiro region alongside a slice—or more—of Brazilian Guava Cheesecake.

 Torta de queijo branco e goiabada (Brazilian Guava Cheesecake)

Ingredients:

 Crust:

12 graham crackers

1 tbsp sugar

4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

 Filling:

150 g Cream Cheese

1 cup sugar

1 cup table cream

½ tsp vanilla extract

100 g ricotta cheese

100 g minas cheese (or queso fresco)

4 eggs

 Topping:

1 cup guava paste, melted

Instructions:

-   In a food processor, process the graham crackers and sugar to the consistency of powder. Add the melted butter and pulse process until well blended.

-   Grease a cheesecake pan with butter. Transfer the crust mixture to the pan and pat evenly onto the bottom. Set aside.

-   Preheat the oven to 355° F.

-   Mix the ricotta cheese, queijo minas (or queso fresco), cream cheese, egg yolks, table cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a blender until homogenous.

-   Beat the egg whites until firm and gently incorporate them with the filling.

-   Pour the filling into the cheesecake pan and cook it in the oven for 30 minutes.

-   After removing the cheesecake from the oven, spread the guava paste over it. Serve it cool!