Basque Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 3 8-oz blocks (681 g) cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups (297 g) white sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 5 eggs
• 3/4 cup (170 g) heavy cream
• Optional ingredients for the chocolate version: ~10 ounces melted 65% chocolate, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp instant espresso

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F
2. Take two sheets of parchment paper and crumple. Cross them over eachother and do your best to fully fit the bottom and sides of a 9" springform. Fold over the excess.
3. Blend all of the ingredients until they are completely smooth. Pour into prepared pan. Cut off the overhanging parchment.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is dark (kinda burnt), the edges are cake, and the center is jiggly. A thermometer 1" from the edge should just reach 185 degrees F.
5. Remove the cheesecake and cool to room temperature in the springform. Serve at room temperature or chilled.