✨The Gilded Table ✨The Duchess’s Delight

A crumble worthy of scandal.

Welcome to The Gilded Table: Seasonal Editions — the most romantic corner In Bianca’s Kitchen yet. Because every season has a flavor—and a story. From spring quiches to wintry tarts, each dish is a chapter in the year’s delicious tale. So pour a cup of something lovely, and stay a while.
— From Bianca’s Spring Kitchen, with love 🌸

This dessert is a love letter from the orchard—sweet, sultry, and impossible to resist.

Velvety cream, the perfume of poached apples, and a hint of Earl Grey steeped in whispers of intrigue… Meet The Duchess’s Delight Cheesecake: a dessert as dreamy as a garden waltz and as bold as a secret rendezvous.

This Bridgerton-inspired beauty rests on a buttery shortbread crust and carries an heirloom charm worthy of Lady Whistledown’s praise. Whether served with tea in fine china or a flute of rosé beneath flowering vines, this cheesecake is both a tribute and a temptation.

☕ Pairs beautifully with: A flute of bubbly rosé or A warm cup of Earl Grey lavender tea.

🍃 Garnish with: Dried rose petals or edible flowers for a fairy-glade picnic feel.

“Rosewater may scent the cake, but mischief stirs the batter.”
— From Bianca’s Spring Kitchen, with love 🌸

Serves: 10–12 | Pan: 9-inch springform

The Duchess’s Delight Cheesecake
Apple-Walnut Cheesecake with Earl Grey Drizzle

Serves: 10–12 | Pan: 9-inch springform

✨ Ingredients

🍪 Buttery Shortbread Crust

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated cane sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

🍮 Vanilla Cream Custard Filling

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated cane sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional, for warmth)

🍎 Poached Apple & Toasted Walnut Topping

2 medium apples, peeled, cored & finely diced (preferably Honeycrisp or Gala)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves (optional)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted

☕ Earl Grey Drizzle

1 Earl Grey tea bag
1/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

📝 Instructions

Prepare the Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the softened butter and vanilla until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom of a greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs one at a time, beating just until incorporated. Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
Poach the Apples & Toast the Walnuts: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook until apples are just tender, about 5–7 minutes. Let cool slightly. Gently fold in toasted walnuts.
Top & Bake: Spoon apple-walnut mixture evenly over the cheesecake filling. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 45–50 minutes, or until center is just set. Turn off oven, crack door slightly, and let cheesecake rest inside for 15–20 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before refrigerating for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
Earl Grey Drizzle: Steep the Earl Grey tea bag in 1/4 cup boiling water for 3–4 minutes. Let cool. In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with 1–2 tbsp of the cooled tea and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle gently over chilled cheesecake before serving.

🥂 Serving Suggestion

Garnish with dried rose petals or edible flowers for a fairy-glade picnic feel.
Pair with: A flute of bubbly rosé for sparkle and romance or a warm cup of Earl Grey lavender tea for a soothing, fragrant complement.