Lemon Mousse Cheesecake

I’ve had quite a busy few weeks full of revision, as you know, and they finally came to fruition with my last exam on Thursday. It was a tough one but there was a nice question or two thrown in there, and I think I did alright. I was still haunted by it a couple of nights later, though, as I remember having a complicated dream involving working out many complicated organic mechanisms before half waking and realising that I didn't need to worry any more because it was over! Unlike some of my course mates and all of my housemates, I don't graduate this year despite it being my third year because the course is an undergraduate masters (an MChem, for those who are interested). So don't fret, this academic year might be over but in just a few short months when I start my fourth year you will once again be regaled with tales of studentdom.

Naturally, post-exam we all headed straight for the student union bar for a couple of drinks. I tried Kronenburg for the first time while my friend B had a post-exam, pre-tennis vodka and coke. Hardcore. I then went to the pub with my last remaining housemate; for some reason the pub had nothing but burgers available, though, so the food was a little disappointing. I'd had my eye on a vegetable bake with brie and goats cheese and since the pub denied me of it I'm probably going to make it when I go home to Devon.

I made this cheesecake for my grandparents yesterday - I had gone over to Liverpool for my Grandad’s 94^th birthday, so there was quite a celebration to be had. My aunt bought a birthday cake for him and before my arrival some distant relatives of mine who I haven't met also visited so it was quite a busy day for him. He seemed pleased with all of the attention, anyway. 

This is the first chilled cheesecake that I’ve made in about a year. The last one, also lemon flavoured, was made after buying a similar one from M&S (as a post-exam treat) as I had wanted to replicate it. Unfortunately the gelatine powder in that one aggregated into lumps, but the gelatine leaves that I used this time have worked much better so I’ll buy them to use again at home. I’m pleased with how the cheesecake turned out as I had been worried that it wouldn’t set. The mousse was largely invented on the spot, based on a recipe for chocolate mousse from my GCSE Food Tech recipe book where you just stir egg yolk into melted chocolate then fold it into whisked egg whites and you’re done. The mousse even tastes of lemon as well as having set well, so I’m very happy.

I had planned this cheesecake to have a swirl of lemon mousse running through it, but my method of stirring the two layers together didn’t seem to work and in the end there were just two clear layers. I’d also like to add some yellow food colouring to the mousse next time to get some visual definition between the two layers. I might make the next one a strawberry one, or maybe some kind of tropical flavour? We’ll see.

The main fault in this cheesecake was that I put too little butter in the biscuit base so it crumbled and almost fell apart completely when I took the cheesecake out. I’ve added a little extra butter to the recipe below, though, so it shouldn’t be a problem if you want to make one of your own.

A decorative but very crumbly base.

This cheesecake is deliciously refreshing, so make it to remind you of summer while you gaze out at the grim weather. If you want to serve this to elderly people or children it’s a good idea to pasteurise the egg whites before whisking them. To do this, put them in a bowl over a pan of boiling water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water, and stir for about five minutes. Then pour them into the mixing bowl and carry on as per the recipe.

Ingredients

For the mousse:

• 2 Eggs, Separated
• 150g Caster Sugar
• 1 Lemon
• 2 Leaves Gelatine

For the cheesecake:

• 400g Philadelphia Cheese
• 150g Caster Sugar
•  Rind of 1 Lemon
• 2 Leaves Gelatine

For the base:

• 200g Digestive Biscuits
• 70g Butter

Recipe

•  Line a springform tin with parchment paper.
•  Put the biscuits in a bag (or food processor) and bash until they turn to crumbs.
•  Melt the butter in a pan and then stir the biscuit crumbs into it. Turn them into the springform tin and press them into the bottom and sides. I like to use a spoon now because it gives a more even result, but you can just use your hands if you prefer.
•  Put the tin in the fridge until you need it.
•  To make the cheesecake, put the Philadelphia into a mixing bowl and beat it into the sugar until smooth. Add the zest of a lemon and stir well. Place to one side.
• To make the mousse, grate the zest of a lemon into a small non-stick pan. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze it into the pan.  Add the egg yolks and sugar, then put the pan over a low heat and stir until the mixture boils. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Put the egg whites in a separate bowl and whisk to stiff peaks. Place to one side.
•  Make up the gelatine as per the packaging instructions. I found it easier to put all four leaves in together and then just divide it up when it’s dissolved.
•  Put half the gelatine mixture into the lemon sauce in the pan and stir well. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the egg whites in and gently fold it into them using a metal spoon.
• Next, take the rest of the gelatine and stir it into the cheesecake mixture. Pour the cheesecake into the springform tin, then pour the mousse on top and spread it over.
• Put the tin back into the fridge for at least four hours. Run a knife around the inside of the tin before releasing it to make sure it comes away clean.

For tips on separating eggs and understanding baking terminology, take a look at The Basics.

Everyone in my house has gone home until their graduation in July so I probably won't be baking until I go home to Devon on Friday. I have a bit of Swiss meringue buttercream left over from the Strawberry and Clotted Cream Jubilee Cake, though, so I may make a couple of cupcakes for some creative piping practice.

I hope the weather perks up for all the brits reading this, and those of you who experience sunshine and warmth on a daily basis should encourage it to come our way. See you soon!