Scrolling through Instagram in one of those dessert-craving moments, I stumbled upon The Sugar Collective. Their feed is a haven for every sweet tooth, with images of beautifully crafted macarons, cakes, and other irresistible desserts. While I wasn’t specifically looking for Burnt Basque Cheesecake, my cheesecake cravings convinced me to give it a try.

The Order

I placed my order for their 6-inch Burnt Basque Cheesecake, priced at ₱680. Burnt Basque Cheesecakes are notoriously hard to nail down. They require the perfect balance of textures: a creamy, custardy interior that’s almost mousse-like in consistency paired with the golden, caramelized, and slightly charred “burnt” crust on top. At ₱680 for the promise of craftsmanship involved, I thought it was worth trying out.

First Impressions

Excited and ready to indulge, I dove straight into my first slice—but I have to admit, it didn’t match the expectations I had built in my imagination. The mousse-like creamy texture I was looking forward to was absent. Instead, the interior leaned toward a firmer texture. The caramelized crust was delightfully crisp and added a nice touch, but I felt like that coveted custard-like center either didn’t develop fully or maybe the smaller 6-inch size somehow affected the outcome.

Refrigeration Revelation

I decided to refrigerate the cheesecake overnight, unsure whether I would give it a second bite the next day. When I took it out of the fridge the following morning, something surprising had happened—the bubbles inside the cheesecake had flattened out, altering both the texture and the look. Upon tasting it again, the texture resembled more of a dense New York-style cheesecake, albeit topped with that signature burnt layer. It was enjoyable in its own way but felt like something other than what I’d categorize as a true Burnt Basque experience.

Final Thoughts

Truth be told, I was slightly disappointed. Basque Cheesecake is supposed to feel like a dessert celebration in every bite, with its creamy custard center stealing the show. Unfortunately, this one missed that mark. Thank goodness we weren’t collaborating because giving honest feedback like this would have been tough.

Would I order the Burnt Basque Cheesecake again? Maybe not. But the good news is, The Sugar Collective has plenty of other temptations on their menu, and their macarons look particularly divine. I might explore their other offerings next time and give them another shot to wow me.