Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups (190g) Maria cookies or Graham cracker crumbs
  • 5 tbsp (70g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ tsp (1g) ground cinnamon
  • 16 oz (450g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¾ cup (90g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp (16g) cinnamon-sugar blend
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • ¼ cup (60ml) concentrated horchata syrup
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tbsp (12g) powdered sugar
  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Combine 190g cookie crumbs, 70g melted butter, and 1g cinnamon in a medium bowl until the mixture resembles wet sand.
  2. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan using the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to ensure a compact crust.
  3. Place the pan in the refrigerator to set while preparing the filling.
  4. In a large bowl, beat 450g softened cream cheese on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until completely smooth with no visible lumps.
  5. Gradually add 90g powdered sugar, 16g cinnamon-sugar, 5g vanilla, and 60ml horchata concentrate; beat until combined and ivory-colored.
  6. In a separate chilled bowl, whip 240ml heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  7. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in three batches using a cut-and-fold motion to maintain aeration.
  8. Pour the filling over the chilled crust, smooth the top with a spatula, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
  9. Whip 120ml heavy cream and 12g powdered sugar together.
  10. Pipe small dollops of the whipped cream around the edge of the chilled cheesecake and finish with a light dusting of a pinch of ground cinnamon.