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IndyAssa Japan

Have you ever heard about Japanese cotton cheese cake?

When I was living in Dubai, many friends asked me « Do you know how to make Japanese cotton cheesecake? ». Actually I didn’t know that the cotton cheesecake is a specialty of the Japanese.

I thought it was just one of many kinds of cheesecake.

Japanese cotton cheesecake is very different from the regular cheesecake.

It offers the same iconic sweet and tangy flavor of cheesecake with a soft, light and airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Read more

Have you ever heard about Japanese cotton cheese cake?

When I was living in Dubai, many friends asked me « Do you know how to make Japanese cotton cheesecake? ». Actually I didn’t know that the cotton cheesecake is a specialty of the Japanese.

I thought it was just one of many kinds of cheesecake.

Japanese cotton cheesecake is very different from the regular cheesecake.

It offers the same iconic sweet and tangy flavor of cheesecake with a soft, light and airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The big difference between a regular cheesecake and Japanese cotton cheese cake is the addition of the meringue, so the cake becomes airy and fluffy.

It looks simple but I realized it is not after I tried baking it a couple times and failed many times. For this course, I’m going to show you not only the recipe, but also the reasons why we fail, the solutions, and helpful tips. When you have questions, you can ask me anytime from my Q&A page in the course.

Also I’m going to introduce a new trendy Japanese cheese cake, which is Japanese cheese tart.

Japanese cheese tarts have been getting popular here over the last 5 years. Cheese tart shops have been increasing everywhere not only in Japan, but also in other parts of Asia.

It’s crispy sweet crust filled with fluffy rich cheese cream.

This is originally made from Japanese cheese but after re-doing the recipe over 10 times to find an original blend, I succeeded in a version which you can make with ingredients outside of Japan.

I will explain every single step and give you all the tips, so let’s enjoy baking together.

So if you are interested in Japanese cuisine, want to add a new and delicious dessert to your collection or just want to impress your guests are the next dinner party…. this class is for you.

Are you ready for exploring the world of Japanese sweets and desserts?

Let’s get started.

Asami

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Become an expert at baking amazing fluffy japanese cheesecake and rich fluffy cheese tarts.
  • Learn to bake perfect crispy tart dough called "pâte sucrée".
  • Learn basic techniques for custard cream (pastry cream) and italian meringue.

Syllabus

Welcome!
What is Japanese cheesecake?
Ingredients
Learn how to bake beautiful Japanese cotton cheesecake
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores Japanese cheesecake and cheese tarts, which are trendy and gaining popularity in the culinary world, especially in Asian countries
Teaches how to make custard cream and Italian meringue, which are fundamental techniques applicable to a wide range of pastry recipes
Includes tips and solutions to common baking problems, which can help learners avoid frustration and improve their baking skills
Features a section on decoration ideas, which can help learners elevate the presentation of their baked goods and impress guests
Requires specific ingredients for Japanese cheese tarts, but offers a version that can be made with ingredients available outside of Japan

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Reviews summary

Mastering japanese cotton cheesecake and tarts

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive approach to baking Japanese desserts. Students report achieving successful results, particularly with the Japanese cotton cheesecake, finding the instructions clear and easy to follow. The instructor's helpful tips and troubleshooting advice are frequently praised, making it easier to understand not just the 'how' but also the 'why' behind baking techniques. While many found the ingredients accessible, a few experienced difficulty with the Japanese cheese tart recipe, noting issues with texture. The course seems best suited for beginners to intermediate bakers, offering a solid foundation in these delicate pastries.
Well-suited for new or less experienced bakers.
"As a beginner to baking, I found this course very accessible and encouraging."
"Great course for someone new to Japanese baking or delicate pastries like these."
"More experienced bakers might find parts of it a bit slow or basic."
"Perfect if you're starting out with these types of desserts or specific techniques."
Instructor provides valuable troubleshooting advice.
"The troubleshooting section and baking tips were invaluable for understanding potential pitfalls."
"I learned why my meringue failed in the past thanks to this course's explanations."
"The tips on checking syrup without a thermometer were super useful and practical."
"Instructor's advice helped me prevent my cake from shrinking after baking."
Recipes are easy to follow, step-by-step.
"The step-by-step videos were very helpful, especially for visual learners like me."
"Instructions were precise and easy to understand, even for a beginner baker."
"I appreciated how every single step was explained clearly and slowly."
"Following the instructions resulted in perfect pastry the first time."
Achieve light, fluffy Japanese cheesecake.
"The Japanese cotton cheesecake turned out perfectly light and fluffy following the detailed steps."
"I finally made a cheesecake that didn't crack on top and was so moist!"
"The steps for the cheesecake were very clear, leading to great results."
"My family loved the cotton cheesecake; it was exactly like the ones from Japan I've tried."
Some learners struggled with the tart recipe.
"I found the cheese tart recipe more challenging than the cheesecake, especially the filling."
"My cheese tart filling didn't set quite right; it was too runny even after chilling."
"The tart dough was perfect, but I had trouble with the cream filling texture and piping."
"Would have liked a bit more troubleshooting specifically for the cheese tarts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Japanese Pastry Course #2 Japanese Cheesecake with these activities:
Review Basic Baking Techniques
Reviewing basic baking techniques will help you better understand the nuances of Japanese cheesecake and tart making.
Browse courses on Baking Techniques
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on basic baking techniques.
  • Practice basic techniques like creaming butter and sugar.
  • Review oven temperatures and their effects on baking.
Review 'The Professional Pastry Chef'
Referencing a comprehensive pastry book will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of baking.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on meringue and custard cream.
  • Review the chapters on dough and tart crusts.
  • Take notes on key techniques and ingredients.
Practice Making Meringue
Practicing meringue making will improve your technique and ensure a light and airy texture in your Japanese cheesecake and cheese tarts.
Show steps
  • Gather ingredients and equipment for meringue.
  • Follow a meringue recipe and pay attention to detail.
  • Experiment with different meringue types (Italian, French, Swiss).
  • Evaluate the texture and stability of your meringue.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'Japanese Patisserie: Exploring the Beautiful and Delicious World of Wagashi'
Reading about Japanese patisserie will provide cultural context and inspiration for your baking.
Show steps
  • Read about the history and cultural significance of wagashi.
  • Explore the different types of wagashi and their ingredients.
  • Look for inspiration for your own baking creations.
Document Your Baking Journey
Creating a blog or video series documenting your attempts at making Japanese cheesecake and tarts will reinforce your learning and help you identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Create a blog or video channel.
  • Document each step of the baking process.
  • Share your successes and failures.
  • Reflect on what you learned from each attempt.
Perfect Your Own Cheesecake Recipe
Starting a project to perfect your own Japanese cheesecake recipe will allow you to apply the techniques learned in the course and develop your own unique style.
Show steps
  • Experiment with different ingredients and ratios.
  • Adjust baking times and temperatures.
  • Document your changes and their effects.
  • Solicit feedback from others and refine your recipe.
Explore Advanced Meringue Techniques
Following advanced meringue tutorials will help you refine your skills and achieve professional-level results.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on advanced meringue techniques.
  • Follow the instructions carefully and practice each technique.
  • Experiment with different variations and flavorings.

Career center

Learners who complete Japanese Pastry Course #2 Japanese Cheesecake will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Pastry Chef
A Pastry Chef creates a variety of baked goods, often including cakes, tarts, and other desserts. This course helps build a foundation in creating melt-in-your-mouth Japanese cotton cheesecake along with crispy tarts filled with rich cheese cream. The course is beneficial for a pastry chef as it specifically teaches unique techniques such as working with meringue to achieve the light, airy texture needed in Japanese cheesecake. It also addresses common issues that one may encounter when baking these kinds of pastries, providing solutions and helpful tips to overcome failure. These particular techniques help bakers of all skill levels. Furthermore, learning a variety of dough making processes is included in the course.
Baker
Bakers are responsible for preparing bread, pastries, and other baked goods, applying their expertise in a kitchen setting. This course is useful for any baker as it offers hands-on preparation for specific recipes like Japanese cotton cheesecake and cheese tarts. The course covers the fundamental components of both recipes, such as crafting custard cream, meringue, and sweet tart doughs, which are applicable across many baking recipes. Furthermore, the course provides critical troubleshooting tips and strategies, which could be helpful for improving a baker's foundational understanding and skill. Learning the unique properties of Japanese dessert techniques from this course can help a baker distinguish themselves in the field.
Dessert Specialist
A Dessert Specialist focuses on creating and perfecting dessert items, often with an emphasis on innovative flavor combinations and presentation. This course helps any dessert specialist explore the world of Japanese sweets and broaden their repertoire with techniques specific to Japanese baking. The course emphasizes making the unique Japanese cotton cheesecake and Japanese cheese tart, which offers a unique flavor profile and texture unlike typical desserts. This course also teaches crucial elements like making the meringue, various tart and custard creams, allowing the specialist to gain the knowledge needed to diversify their dessert abilities. Learning how to diagnose and fix problems that occur during preparation is also a key skill that is taught.
Catering Chef
A Catering Chef is tasked with preparing food for large events, and this role often involves creating a diverse menu of items to suit various tastes. The Japanese techniques learned throughout this course can add a unique and sophisticated offering to any catering menu. This is especially true for the skills that this course provides in the construction of cheesecakes and tarts. Specifically, the skills in making meringue, custard cream, and sweet tart doughs can be used in many dishes. Furthermore, the recipes covered in the course, such as the light and airy cotton cheesecake, can translate well for catering event dessert needs. The course can help a catering chef impress clients with new flavor profiles.
Recipe Developer
Recipe Developers create original recipes for cookbooks and culinary publications. This course may be helpful to a recipe developer interested in mastering the nuances of Japanese desserts. A recipe developer may find the specific techniques such as making the perfect Italian meringue, which is key to a light texture, or the sweet tart dough described in the course useful. This course provides insights into Japanese cheesecakes and tarts, which can be used to add a unique cultural touch to their creations. Also, the course’s focus on fixing common baking mishaps and recipe alterations can help a recipe developer better understand the art of baking.
Food Blogger
Food Bloggers create content centered around recipes, cooking, and food culture and may find this course particularly helpful when expanding their knowledge of Japanese pastry. The course provides food bloggers with hands-on training in making a light and airy Japanese cheesecake and cheese tart. These unique pastries will certainly be of interest to readers. The course goes into detail about the key steps of the recipes, such as crafting the perfect meringue or making crispy sweet tart crust. This course is also beneficial because it offers troubleshooting advice and baking tips, which can be shared with online readers. This course would be excellent for a food blogger who wishes to add unique international desserts to their repertoire.
Culinary Instructor
A Culinary Instructor teaches cooking techniques and recipes to students. This course may be useful for a culinary instructor who wishes to expand their repertoire to include Japanese desserts. The course covers making both Japanese cotton cheesecake and Japanese cheese tarts. These are pastries that are relatively unknown to most western audiences and are very unique in their texture and taste. The course is helpful because it includes a discussion of common baking mistakes and ways to overcome them. This will make the instructor a better resource for the students. This course can help a culinary instructor feel more knowledgeable on the subject of Japanese pastries.
Restaurant Owner
A Restaurant Owner manages all aspects of a restaurant's operations, and this may include the menu. This course might be helpful for a restaurant owner who wishes to add new items to their menu. This course specifically goes into the details of making Japanese cotton cheesecakes and Japanese cheese tarts. These types of specialized recipes have the potential to draw in new customers. Furthermore, the course teaches techniques for working with custard cream and meringue, which are useful for many other recipes. The course can help a restaurant owner explore new culinary offerings.
Hospitality Manager
A Hospitality Manager oversees the operations of a hotel or resort, including the food and beverage services, and may find this course useful for menu development. The skills learned in this course can be used to improve the offerings at a hotel's pastry shop or restaurant. Specifically, the skills in making Japanese cotton cheesecake and tarts can help a hospitality manager bring new options to their menu. This course provides detailed instructions on how to make the pastry dough, custard cream, and meringue. These are key elements in many kinds of baked goods. This course is useful for a hospitality manager who wishes to improve the food quality at their establishment.
Food Stylist
A Food Stylist prepares and arranges food for photography, film, and other media. This course may be useful for a food stylist as it provides insights into the unique texture of Japanese cheesecakes and tarts. These pastries are known for contrasting textures that can help create eye-catching images, such as the cotton cheesecake’s light and airy texture or the crispy exterior of a cheese tart. The course teaches how to create these distinct textures, ensuring a beautiful representation for the camera. Specifically, this course teaches how to make both a meringue and a variety of pastry creams. This detailed knowledge can help a food stylist create a more visually appealing product.
Product Developer
A Product Developer creates new food products for manufacturers and retailers, and this course may be useful for a product developer interested in creating new unique recipes for the market. The course covers techniques used to create Japanese-style pastries which are currently very popular in Asia. The course goes into the specifics of how to make Japanese cotton cheesecake and cheese tarts, which can serve as inspiration for a new product. The course also covers how to make meringue and various doughs which can be used in other kinds of product formulations. This may be useful for someone who wants to break into the product design space.
Food Photographer
A Food Photographer captures images of food items for various media, and this course may be helpful to learn more about the subject of their craft. The course teaches the creation of Japanese cotton cheesecakes and Japanese cheese tarts, which have unique textures and appearances. These interesting characteristics may be useful for a food photographer who is looking for new subject matter. The course allows the photographer to learn about the nature of these pastries, which can aid in their work. Understanding how the texture and color will look during preparation can help a photographer plan a shoot. This course is useful for improving the quality of photos.
Dietitian
A Dietitian advises on matters of food and nutrition and is often involved in the clinical aspects of nutrition. This course may be useful to a dietitian who is interested in how a specific food is made. The course covers detailed instruction in the preparation of Japanese cotton cheesecakes and Japanese cheese tarts and how ingredients interact with one another during cooking. Understanding preparation may be useful to a dietitian when they advise their patients. The course focuses on techniques like making meringue, custard cream, and sweet tart doughs. These are all items that could come up often in patient discussions. This course is useful for learning about the processes specific to some popular international desserts.
Food Scientist
A Food Scientist researches the physical, chemical, and biological properties of food and this course may be useful when expanding their understanding of baking. This course offers hands-on experience, by providing detailed steps of specific recipes like Japanese cotton cheesecake and Japanese cheese tarts. The specific techniques such as making Italian meringue and sweet tart doughs can help a food scientist better understand the chemical interactions that occur during food preparation. The course also covers the reasons why recipes fail, which can be useful in research. This course will be useful when researching the chemical nature of cooking.
Nutritionist
Nutritionists advise individuals on food choices and healthy eating habits, and this course may be useful in improving their knowledge of certain kinds of foods. Exploring the processes of cooking is a useful topic, such as the techniques in this course in crafting Japanese cotton cheesecakes and Japanese cheese tarts. By learning the steps involved in making these items, a nutritionist may be better equipped to discuss the details with patients. The course covers how to work with meringue, custard cream, and sweet tart doughs. These are common ingredients in many baked goods. This course will be useful for learning more about cooking and food.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Japanese Pastry Course #2 Japanese Cheesecake.
Comprehensive guide to pastry making, covering a wide range of techniques and recipes. It provides a solid foundation in pastry fundamentals, which is essential for mastering Japanese cheesecake and tarts. While not specifically focused on Japanese pastry, it offers invaluable knowledge on basic techniques like custard cream and meringue. This book is commonly used as a textbook in culinary schools.
Explores the broader world of Japanese sweets, providing context for the Japanese cheesecake and tarts covered in the course. It offers insights into the cultural significance of wagashi and the techniques used to create these delicate treats. While not directly related to the course's recipes, it provides valuable background knowledge and inspiration. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.

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