Cheesecake with Raffaello

Raffaello Cheesecake – a delicacy that combines the finesse of cheese with the subtle flavors of coconut and almonds. This cheesecake recipe is perfect for any festive occasion, from birthdays to family gatherings, and is easy to prepare, no baking required. Start your culinary adventure and get ready to impress everyone with this refined dessert.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Chilling time: 4 hours
Total time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:
- 250 g digestive biscuits
- 125 g melted butter
- 400 g cottage cheese (or mascarpone for a creamier texture)
- 200 g whipped cream
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 100 g coconut flakes (plus extra for decoration)
- 2 packets of gelatin (approx. 16 g)
- 4 Raffaello (plus extra for decoration)
- 1 vanilla essence (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the biscuit base
Start by chopping the digestive biscuits in a food processor until they become a fine powder. If you don’t have a processor, you can place them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Add the melted butter and mix well until the mixture is moist and homogeneous. This will form the perfect base for your cake.

2. Forming the base
Line a springform pan (approximately 23 cm in diameter) with parchment paper. Press the biscuit mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan, smoothing it out with a spatula. Place the pan in the refrigerator to set while you prepare the cheese cream.

3. Preparing the cheese cream
In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese (or mascarpone) with the powdered sugar and vanilla essence, if using. Mix with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth. In another bowl, whip the cream until firm, then gently fold it into the cheese mixture using a spatula to keep the air in the mixture.

4. Activating the gelatin
In a small bowl, add the gelatin to 50 ml of cold water and let it hydrate for 5 minutes. Then, heat the gelatin in a double boiler or microwave (10 seconds) until it becomes liquid but not hot. Add the gelatin to the cheese mixture, stirring quickly to incorporate it evenly.

5. Adding the coconut flakes
Fold in 100 g of coconut flakes into the cheese cream, mixing with circular motions to avoid deflating the mixture.

6. Assembling the cake
Remove the biscuit base from the fridge and pour the cheese cream over it. Smooth the surface with a spatula and return the cake to the fridge for at least 4 hours, or until the cream has completely set.

7. Decorating the cake
Once the cake has set, decorate it with coconut flakes and halved Raffaello, arranging them beautifully on top. You can also add some toasted almonds for a contrast of textures and flavors.

8. Serving
Slice the cake and serve it chilled, accompanied by a glass of lemonade or sweet wine. This will enhance the delicate flavors of the dessert and make each slice an unforgettable experience.

Practical tips:
- If you want a less sweet cake, reduce the amount of powdered sugar.
- You can replace the coconut flakes with other ingredients like chopped nuts or white chocolate to give a personalized touch to the cake.
- Make sure the gelatin is well dissolved and that no granules remain to avoid lumps in the cake.

The Raffaello Cheesecake is a quick and simple dessert to prepare, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any festive meal. Enjoy every bite and let yourself be carried away by its delicious flavors!