Introduction to the Japanese Cheesecake Trend
A simple two-ingredient recipe that tastes like cheesecake is taking TikTok by storm — and it may be a trend that lives up to the hype.
On Jan. 7, Stan Fukase, a popular TikToker (@worldofxtra), posted a video where he makes a “cheesecake” using just two ingredients — Greek yogurt and cookies. Its deceptively simple preparation seems to have shook anyone who has tried it — including Fukase himself.
The video cuts to an Asian grocery, where he gathers his yogurt and coconut sables, a kind of French cookie. At home, Fukase says he was instructed to “just, like, shove“ the sables — which he calls “crackers” — into his yogurt container, then pop ‘em in the fridge for 12 hours.
“And apparently it’s going to make cheesecake. Cheesecake, right?” Fukase says before holding up a jar of yogurt with incredulity. “One of these is 30 grams of protein. I would be eating this every day.”
The Preparation and Taste
After a 15-hour clock wipe, a sleepy-eyed Fukase samples the final product, which he says appears remarkably cheesecake-like before he even tastes it.
“No, I love that,” he says — after giving "influencer face". “It’s not crazy sweet because it only relies on the sweetness of the coconut crackers, the yogurt itself is plain Greek yogurt.”
He ends the video by saying he wants to try the food hack with “other crackers like Oreo.”
Fans of "proteinmaxxing" must have found Fukase’s video, which has racked up 630,000-plus views so far. Now, lots of folks are making their own — the hashtag #japanesecheesecake has over 20,000 videos, all riffs on the creamy and cookie-speckled sweet.
Variations of the Recipe
The clip also seems to have spurred a trend that yogurt and cookie brands are likely cheering over: Instead of Fukase’s sables, Oreos, Biscoff and other cookies have been nestled into the crevasses of a jar of yogurt with seemingly equally delicious results.
“In my mind, there’s no way that Greek yogurt and crackers will taste like cheesecake, but we’re gonna test it out,” TikToker @18hens said in a clip.
She subs the coconut crackers in one jar for graham crackers to mimic the actual ingredients used in a cheesecake crust, a switch that people seem to like — to the tune of 5.4 million views.
“Viral food trends, for the most part, are overrated, but I’m being so honest when I tell you that this is the best, most creative food hack I’ve ever tried,” she says at the end of the video.
Origins of the Recipe
It turns out there’s something called Japanese cheesecake that is actually, in fact, a cheesecake. Its texture is much like a chiffon cake so it’s fluffier, lighter and less sweet than the New York style Americans are used to enjoying.
While the provenance of Japanese cheesecake is clear, the origins of these two-, three- or more ingredient cheesecakes (that are actually yogurt recipes) on TikTok are a bit murkier, but some have pointed out that the preparation, texture and short ingredient list bears a striking resemblance to icebox cake, a classic American no-bake dessert that combines chocolate wafer cookies, heavy cream and sugar.
This type of dessert, though, is centuries old — and has gone by many names with different flavors over the years: zebra cake in Australia, tiramisu in Italy, carlota de limon in Mexico, bløtkake in Norway, and the trifle of England, which even Charles Dickens took care to mention.
An Honest Review
I sat and watched a swarm of TikTokers posting their versions of the viral treat, blissing out as they took that first bite, and I knew I had to try it for myself.
Ever the overachiever, I made five different versions of this treat:
Although I am a Fage stan, I wanted to see if another yogurt fared better, so I also used Siggi’s Icelandic Skyr as it was used in some videos. Honestly, I would say they taste about the same since the thickened yogurt is the vehicle that the now-softened cookie can shine in.
The clear winner from my batch was the Fage with Biscoff, tied with the Siggis with K-Town melon creme-filled crackers, which was like having a dessert at a fancy fusion restaurant.
But does it taste like cheesecake? I was fully prepared to tell you #FoodTok is full of snake oil and all these delighted faces were just in it for clicks. But, your neighborhood pessimist is here to tell you that its texture is really like cheesecake.
As for the taste? It’s not cheesecake exactly, but mostly because it isn’t that sweet. If you added sugar before the refrigeration process it might taste more like the real deal. I zhuzhed mine up with by topping it with whipped cream, caramel and strawberries.
However, I’m going to say something controversial: I don’t think cheesecake, as a rule, is that special. Homemade? Wonderful. Store-bought? It’s fine and it’s tasty, but so is this — and I know because I tried it for myself, and so should you. But let’s call it icebox yogurt cake, OK?
Conclusion
The Japanese cheesecake trend has taken the internet by storm, with its simple two-ingredient recipe and delicious taste. While it may not be a traditional cheesecake, it is definitely a unique and tasty dessert that is worth trying. With its creamy texture and sweet flavor, it is no wonder that this dessert has become so popular.
FAQs
Q: What are the ingredients used in the Japanese cheesecake recipe?
A: The ingredients used in the Japanese cheesecake recipe are Greek yogurt and cookies, such as coconut sables or Oreos.
Q: How do you prepare the Japanese cheesecake?
A: To prepare the Japanese cheesecake, you simply need to combine the yogurt and cookies in a jar and refrigerate for 12 hours.
Q: Does the Japanese cheesecake taste like traditional cheesecake?
A: The Japanese cheesecake has a similar texture to traditional cheesecake, but the taste is not exactly the same. It is less sweet and has a unique flavor.
Q: Can I customize the Japanese cheesecake recipe?
A: Yes, you can customize the Japanese cheesecake recipe by using different types of cookies or adding other ingredients, such as whipped cream or caramel.
