Instant Pot Matcha Cheesecake Recipe

Method

• 1)

  Get the Cream Cheese & Eggs to Room Temp:

  Fill a large bowl with hot tap water from your sink, place the 2 Large Eggs into the bowl and set aside to get them to room temp. Cut the cream cheese into small blocks, place it into a microwave safe bowl. Heat the cream cheese for 15 seconds, take it out, give it a stir than microwave for another 10 seconds then stir and check again – continue with 10 second increments until it’s very soft (about 80°F-85°F).

• 2)

  Prepare the Cheesecake Pan:

  Trace the bottom of your 7 inch pan on parchment paper and cut out the circle to line the bottom of the pan.  Using a stick of butter, lightly coat the bottom so the parchment has something to stick to.  Then use the stick of butter to grease the the interior side of the pan.  This makes it easier to release the cheesecake from the pan.

• 3)

  Prepare the crust: 

  My special method will produce a delicious and crispy crust without having to blind bake it first – the crust will also stay crispy for several days.

  In a large non stick pan, pour in 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar and heat on medium. It will take a few minutes for the sugar to liquify, keep and eye on it and stir with a silicone spatula.

  As soon as all the sugar liquifies, add the 2 Tablespoons of unsalted butter and stir well so the butter and the liquid sugar are combined.

  Once all the butter has melted, add 1 Cup of Cookie Crumbs and mix well, coating all the crumbs with the butter-sugar mixture. Keep on medium heat for 1 minute while you’re mixing the cookie crumbs and break up any large pieces.

  Turn off the heat and let the crumbs cool for 3 minutes. Pour the crumbs into your springform pan and press onto the bottom, you can use a spoon or something with a flat bottom like a small ramekin to help you even out the crust. The mixture may still be hot, so be careful when working with it.

  ***If you don’t like your crust crispy, simply melt the butter and mix it well with the cookie crumbs and sugar.

• 4)

  Make the Cheesecake batter:

  I use a KitchenAid stand mixer with a paddle attachment to mix the batter since it incorporates the least amount of air into the batter – you really have to avoid overmixing the cheesecake batter, especially when the eggs are added.  Place 2 Tablespoons of sifted Matcha Powder, ¾ Cup of Granulated Sugar and 1 Tablespoon of Cornstarch into your mixer – whisk until it’s mixed well. Add 16 oz of room temperature cream cheese & mix on low speed until  it looks smooth and combined. Scrape your bowl half way through with a spatula to ensure an even mixture.  (With my KitchenAid, this took about 2 minutes using #3 speed)

• 5)

  Add the 2 Large room temperature Eggs, 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract, and 2 Tablespoons of Heavy Cream, mix using the lowest setting until everything is incorporated and looks smooth. While mixing, scrape your bowl 2-3 times with a spatula to ensure an even mixture. (With my KitchenAid, this took about 2 minutes using the “Stir” speed)

• 6)

  Pour the batter into your cheesecake pan. Pick up the pan and tap it a few times on the counter to even out the batter and this also helps pop air bubbles in your batter. Place a paper towel on top of the pan, it should not touch the cheesecake. Place one piece of foil on top and seal tightly,  then another piece of foil the bottom that wraps up towards the top ~ the entire pan should be covered ~ this helps prevent steam getting on your cheesecake. The cooking time for this recipe is also designed for this wrapping technique (your cheesecake could turn out overcooked if you’re not wrapping the top and bottom)

• 7)

  “Bake” the Cheesecake:

  Place 1½ Cups of water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet into it. Carefully place the the cheesecake pan on top of the trivet or use a Silicone Sling for easy lifting (purchase here). If you have a separate sealing ring you use for desserts, place that one on the lid.  Seal the lid and switch the knob to “Sealing”.   Set the Instant Pot for High Pressure / Manual for 52 minutes. Once the timer is up and you hear the beep, wait an additional 20 minutes while the pot releases the pressure naturally.  If the pin hasn’t dropped on it’s own after 20 minutes, switch the knob to “Venting” and when the pin drops open your lid. Carefully remove the cheesecake from the Instant Pot. Unwrap the foil, the pan will still be hot so use mitts or kitchen tongs.  Leave it on the counter to cool for about 1.5 hours. Cover the pan and place it into the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.

  ***Different Instant Pot models, living in higher elevation or even different springform pans may change the cook time. If there is no jiggle in the very center, the cheesecake is most likely overcooked (overcooked cheesecakes are eggy and grainy instead of creamy), use 5-10 minutes less cooking time next time. If your cheesecake looks like liquid in the middle, it’s under cooked. Make sure there’s still 1½ Cups of water in the pot, recover the pan and cook for another 5 mins on High Pressure and 5 minute natural pressure release (repeat if necessary).

• 8)

  Carefully remove the cheesecake from the Instant Pot. Unwrap the foil, the pan will still be hot so use mitts or kitchen tongs.   Leave it on the counter to cool for about 1.5 hours. Cover the pan well and place it into the refrigerator for at least 12 hours before serving.  Keep the cheesecake in the baking pan, you don’t want to remove the cheesecake until it’s been cooled for at least 12 hours.

• 9)

  Make the White Chocolate Ganache Frosting:

  Heat ⅓ Cup of Heavy Cream in a sauce pan on low heat. As soon as it starts to simmer, pour it over 1 Cup of White Chocolate Chips. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir well with a spoon. Once the mixture is completely smooth, cover and let it cool to room temperature (about 70°F). Place the cooled ganache into your mixing bowl and using the whisk attachment, whisk on high until stiff peaks form. Pipe onto the cheesecake and serve more ganache frosting with the cheesecake slices. Dust the cheesecake with matcha powder before serving & garnish with berries and matcha Pocky. Enjoy!