Do you want to experience a truly sensational taste of Africa simply melt in your mouth? Amarula cheesecake is the way to go. In fact, millions of South Africans call this type of cheesecake their absolute favourite treat!  If you’re already living and working oversees, you’re probably already missing easily accessible Amarula and what better way to enjoy it than to grab a bottle of it and transform it into a lipsmackingly delicious cheesecake?!

Before we do the honours of sharing our favourite Amarula cake recipe with you, let’s take a look at what Amarula is and its history in South Africa.

 

South African Amarula

The big question that begs to be answered is “what is Amarula”? Amarula is a sheer delight for the senses, that’s what! Amarula is a cream liqueur that originates in South Africa. What’s different about it is that it’s not made from a whiskey or brandy base like other liqueurs are. Instead, it is made from the Amarula fruit, which is distilled to make a unique fruit spirit base. The result is a liqueur that is sweet, creamy, and truly exotic. The popularity of Amarula is undeniable when you consider that it originates in little South Africa and is sold in over 100 countries! The spirit was first released in 1983 and has a fruity caramel taste – perfect for a luxurious creamy drink or to be included in a desert.

The Amarula tree, as you may already know, is a tree much loved across South Africa. The majority of these trees are found in KwaZulua Natal and Limpopo. The tree is also called The Marriage Tree or The Elephant Tree by locals. One of the most heart-warming things most South Africans know about these trees is that their fruit, which is irresistible to elephants, often falls and starts to ferment in the hot African bush. A tasty treat to a passing elephant which soon leads to hilarious drunken behaviour!

Let’s jump right into how to use Amarula cream in a cheesecake recipe! Once you get started on making this and realise just how easy it is, you will want to eat Amarula cheesecake every single day! A delectable treat awaits you!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEDNuBbCt_0

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXwZH8MMUGc

 

Amarula Cheesecake Recipe

Making Amarula cheesecake itself is quite simple. The hard part of an Amarula cake recipe is stopping yourself from drinking all the Amarula before you’ve included it in the desert! Let’s jump right in to gathering all the things you need.

 

What You Need:

• 13 digestive biscuits (this works out to 200g)
• 100g of melted butter
• 200ml whipping cream (this must be cold)
• 150ml of Amarula cream liqueur
• 4 tablespoons of gelatine powder
• 500g of softened, plain cream cheese (this should be at room temperature)
• 130g of caster sugar
• 30g of melted dark chocolate
• A few bowls to work with
• 1 spring form pan (this can be in the range of 22cm)

 

What to Do:

• Put some energy into crushing the biscuits into fine bits and pieces.
• Mix the melted butter into the now crushed biscuits to form a mushy type of biscuit dough.
• Press the butter and crushed biscuits mixture into your spring form pan. Put some effort into ensuring that the base (which will be the crust) is even and firm.
• Place the pan into the freezer for now.
• Whip the cold cream until it forms stiff, firm peaks.
• Now it’s time to use the Amarula. There’s nothing wrong with a little taste, but don’t take it too far!
• Pour 150ml of Amarula with the gelatine into a bowl and allow it to stand for a few minutes. 3 to 5 minutes should suffice.
• Place the bowl into a pan of boiling water to heat the mixture and help the gelatine to properly dissolve.
• Using an electric beater, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until they form a light and fluffy mixture to work with.
• Now, fold the whipped cream into your cream cheese and sugar mixture.
• Remove the base from the freezer and spoon the cream cheese mixture into the crust.
• Drip the melted chocolate onto the top and use the end of a teaspoon to spread it around in fun and interesting patterns.
• Place the pan with crust and mixture into the fridge and allow it to stand over night or for at least 5 hours until fully set and ready to enjoy.

That was a lot easier than you thought, wasn’t it?! Who knew that making a South African cheesecake with Amarula could be quite so easy? You can serve this delight at any time of the night and day. After all, who is going to complain about Amarula cheesecake for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a tea time snack?!

Amarula cheesecake is absolutely delicious on its own, but some do enjoy it with a dollop or two of vanilla ice cream or with a generous amount of custard. Eat your Amarula cheesecake your way – you deserve it!

 

FinGlobal: cross-border financial experts

Another thing that’s easier than expected for South Africans is experiencing a smooth financial and tax emigration process when leaving the country. Let’s talk about that for a bit…
At FinGlobal, we have assisted thousands of South Africans with their financial and tax emigration services. We have also assisted individuals with accessing funds in their South African retirement annuities after moving overseas. Whether you need a fully-provided service or just a bit of advice and guidance, the friendly consultants at FinGlobal are ready and willing to assist. For further assistance, simply get in touch with us. You can send us an email or give us a call at your convenience.