Food52
Japanese cheesecake, also known as Japanese cotton cheesecake or Japanese soufflé cheesecake, is an absolute delight. If you can imagine the texture of a light-as-air chiffon or angel food cake with the creamy richness of a classic cheesecake, that about sums up what you can expect in terms of mouthfeel. Japanese cheesecake tends to be less sweet and even a bit jiggly (like a soufflé) as it emerges from the oven; chilling it in the refrigerator will not only develop the flavors, but also result in a firmer, decidedly less wobbly, cake. In this recipe for a pumpkin cotton or soufflé cheesecake, I marry the classic pumpkin pie (or even pumpkin cheesecake) found on many Thanksgiving and holiday tables this time of year with the adorable Japanese cheesecake. While lighter in texture than a standard cheesecake, you can expect some weight in the form of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. The lack of a chemical leavening agent (baking powder, baking soda) requires a close eye on the meringue-making, where egg whites get whipped to firm peaks with the addition of sugar and a touch of fresh lemon juice, whose acidity lends some stability. The result is a beautiful, glossy meringue with enough air and structure to give the pumpkin cheesecake batter added lift to create a cloudlike batter and after baking, the cake’s signature texture. A 6-inch cake pan is used here, but you can use a similarly-sized springform pan as well; just ensure that a layer or two of aluminum foil covers the bottom of the springform to prevent leakage from the bain-marie. In either case, buttering the bottoms and sides of the pan before lining with a parchment circle and collar will give you added assurance that the cake will release, post-baking, with ease. While the pumpkin cotton cheesecake can be enjoyed warm, it will taste even better after spending a minimum of a few hours (preferably overnight) chilling and firming up in the fridge.