A mango cheesecake is a variation of the classic cheesecake that is either topped with mango jelly or flavored in some other way with this tropical fruit. A traditional cheesecake is a rich dessert usually made with cream cheese or ricotta on a cracker crust. A cheesecake can be eaten plain or flavored with a seemingly infinite variety of fruits and other flavors, such as green tea. A fruit-flavored cheesecake is either imbued with the fruit flavoring or topped with a fruit jelly. A mango is a fruit native to India that can give a cheesecake a light, tropical flavor.
Although recipes for mango cheesecake will vary somewhat, typical ingredients include a sweet graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, and mango pulp or jelly. The cream cheese filling is usually made with cream cheese at room temperature, sour cream, and eggs. Sugar sweetens the filling that is sometimes lightly flavored with lemon zest. In a traditional recipe, the filling is poured into the crust before baking for at least an hour at a low temperature.
When making a mango cheesecake, the filling is either flavored with the pulp of this fruit or topped with mango jelly. If flavoring the filling, diced mango, mango pulp, or mango puree is usually blended in before baking. Cinnamon and nutmeg are common spices added to mango cheesecake. Some recipes may also call for a bit of almond extract. After baking, mango cheesecake is typically cooled in the refrigerator for several hours before serving.
Alternatively, a classic cheesecake filling can be topped with mango jelly. This jelly can be made by dissolving mango jelly crystals in water. Once the mixture has cooled, it can be spread in a thick layer over the baked cheesecake filling and refrigerated. Mango jelly can also be purchased ready-made. Both versions of mango cheesecake are often served with fresh mango slices as garnish.
Mango cheesecake filling is usually made with regular cream cheese, although other countries will use alternate cheese ingredients like ricotta or quark. Regular cream cheese can contain many calories from fat, making it inappropriate for those with certain dietary restrictions. Reduced-fat cream cheese can be a healthier alternative. For those avoiding dairy foods like vegans, cream cheese substitutes made from soy are commercially available.
Native to India, mangoes are a common ingredient in Indian cuisine. The fruit has spread throughout the tropical regions. The typical ripe mango flavor is light and slightly sweet. Its flesh is usually a light orange or golden color that will be imparted to mango cheesecake filling. A raw mango is a good source of vitamins A and C and is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.