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:
- Combine 190g cookie crumbs, 70g melted butter, and 1g cinnamon in a medium bowl until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- 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.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator to set while preparing the filling.
- In a large bowl, beat 450g softened cream cheese on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until completely smooth with no visible lumps.
- Gradually add 90g powdered sugar, 16g cinnamon-sugar, 5g vanilla, and 60ml horchata concentrate; beat until combined and ivory-colored.
- In a separate chilled bowl, whip 240ml heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- 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.
- Pour the filling over the chilled crust, smooth the top with a spatula, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
- Whip 120ml heavy cream and 12g powdered sugar together.
- 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.