Beyond the Cheesecake: The REAL Best Desserts at The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory. The name alone conjures images of towering slices of creamy, decadent cheesecake. While their namesake dessert is undoubtedly popular, limiting yourself to just cheesecake at this culinary behemoth is a HUGE mistake. The Cheesecake Factory boasts an expansive menu, overflowing with appetizers, entrees, and, crucially, a diverse selection of desserts that rival, and in some cases, surpass, their famous cheesecake. This article will delve into the unsung heroes of The Cheesecake Factory’s dessert menu, providing detailed descriptions, potential copycat recipes (where possible), and persuasive arguments for why you should explore beyond the cheesecake aisle on your next visit. Get ready to discover your new favorite sweet treat!
Why Venture Beyond the Cheesecake?
Before we dive into the delectable details, let’s address the elephant in the (dessert) room. Why should you even consider ordering something other than cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory? Here are a few compelling reasons:
* Overload Aversion: Cheesecake, while delicious, can be incredibly rich. Sometimes, you might crave something lighter or with a different flavor profile.
* Variety is the Spice of Life: The Cheesecake Factory offers a stunning array of desserts, from chocolate extravaganzas to fruit-forward delights. Exploring this variety allows you to discover new favorites and expand your palate.
* Surprise and Delight: Imagine the joy of discovering a hidden gem, a dessert that surpasses your expectations and becomes your go-to order. Stepping outside the cheesecake comfort zone opens you up to this possibility.
* Shareable Sensations: Many of The Cheesecake Factory’s desserts are generously portioned, making them perfect for sharing. Trying different desserts allows you and your dining companions to sample a wider range of flavors and textures.
* The ‘Cheesecake Factory Fatigue’: Let’s be honest, sometimes you just need a break from cheesecake. It’s okay! Embrace the other options.
The Contenders: Best Non-Cheesecake Desserts at The Cheesecake Factory
Now, let’s get to the good stuff! Here’s a breakdown of some of the best non-cheesecake desserts at The Cheesecake Factory, complete with descriptions, potential copycat recipe ideas, and why they deserve your attention:
1. Godiva Chocolate Brownie Sundae
* Description: This is the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream. A warm, fudgy Godiva chocolate brownie forms the base, topped with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge, toasted almonds, and chocolate shavings. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors, from the gooey brownie to the creamy ice cream and the crunchy nuts.
* Why It’s Amazing: The Godiva brownie is incredibly rich and decadent, perfectly balanced by the cool vanilla ice cream and the textural contrast of the almonds. The hot fudge ties everything together in a chocolatey embrace. It’s pure indulgence.
* Copycat Potential:
* The Brownie: Start with a high-quality fudgy brownie recipe. Ghirardelli brownie mix is a good shortcut, but homemade is always best. Ensure the brownie is slightly underbaked for maximum gooeyness.
* The Ice Cream: Use premium vanilla ice cream. Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry’s are excellent choices.
* The Hot Fudge: Homemade hot fudge is surprisingly easy to make. Search for a recipe online, or use a high-quality store-bought version like Smucker’s Hot Fudge Topping.
* The Toppings: Don’t skimp on the toppings! Use freshly whipped cream, toasted slivered almonds, and chocolate shavings for an authentic Cheesecake Factory experience.
* Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after assembling. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh.
2. Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake
* Description: This towering masterpiece is a chocolate lover’s paradise. It features layers of moist chocolate cake, rich chocolate mousse, and chocolate ganache, all topped with chocolate curls. It’s a visually stunning and intensely chocolatey dessert.
* Why It’s Amazing: The combination of different chocolate textures – the cake, the mousse, and the ganache – creates a complex and satisfying experience. It’s not overly sweet, allowing the rich chocolate flavor to shine through.
* Copycat Potential: This is a more ambitious copycat project, but definitely achievable.
* The Cake: Use your favorite chocolate cake recipe. Divide the batter into three or four layers for a taller cake.
* The Mousse: A good chocolate mousse recipe is key. Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
* The Ganache: Chocolate ganache is simply chocolate and heavy cream melted together. Experiment with different ratios for different consistencies.
* Assembly: Layer the cake, mousse, and ganache, chilling between each layer. Decorate with chocolate curls.
* Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled. This dessert is best enjoyed in smaller portions due to its richness.
3. Linda’s Fudge Cake
* Description: A classic chocolate fudge cake, but elevated. It’s incredibly moist, deeply chocolatey, and topped with a generous layer of fudge frosting.
* Why It’s Amazing: Sometimes, simplicity is key. Linda’s Fudge Cake is a testament to the power of a well-executed classic. The cake is incredibly moist and the frosting is rich and decadent.
* Copycat Potential: Relatively easy to recreate.
* The Cake: Use a good chocolate cake recipe that emphasizes moisture. Adding buttermilk or sour cream can help achieve this.
* The Frosting: A basic fudge frosting recipe will work. Experiment with adding espresso powder or a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.
* Serving Suggestion: Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a perfect accompaniment.
4. Warm Apple Crisp
* Description: A comforting and classic dessert featuring warm, tender apples baked with a crispy oat topping and served with vanilla ice cream. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a satisfying crunch.
* Why It’s Amazing: The Warm Apple Crisp offers a welcome change of pace from the richer, more decadent desserts. The apples are perfectly cooked and the oat topping provides a delightful textural contrast. The warm and cold combination of the crisp and the ice cream is irresistible.
* Copycat Potential: Very easy to recreate at home.
* The Apples: Use a combination of tart and sweet apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
* The Topping: Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) for a classic crisp topping.
* Assembly: Toss the apples with sugar, spices, and a little lemon juice. Top with the oat mixture and bake until golden brown and bubbly.
* Serving Suggestion: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
5. Fresh Strawberry Shortcake
* Description: A light and refreshing dessert featuring sweet, juicy strawberries, fluffy biscuits, and whipped cream. It’s a perfect choice for a warm day or when you’re craving something less heavy.
* Why It’s Amazing: The Fresh Strawberry Shortcake is a celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients. The strawberries are bursting with flavor, the biscuits are light and airy, and the whipped cream adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess.
* Copycat Potential: Very easy to make at home.
* The Biscuits: Use your favorite biscuit recipe, or buy pre-made biscuits for convenience.
* The Strawberries: Hull and slice fresh strawberries. Toss with sugar and let them macerate for at least 30 minutes to release their juices.
* The Whipped Cream: Use heavy cream and whip it with sugar until soft peaks form.
* Assembly: Split the biscuits, top with strawberries and whipped cream, and enjoy.
* Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after assembling to prevent the biscuits from becoming soggy.
6. Key Lime Pie
* Description: A tangy and refreshing pie made with key lime juice, a creamy custard filling, and a graham cracker crust. It’s a bright and zesty dessert that’s perfect for summer.
* Why It’s Amazing: The Key Lime Pie offers a delightful contrast to the richer desserts. The tartness of the key lime juice is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the custard filling, and the graham cracker crust provides a satisfying crunch.
* Copycat Potential: Moderately easy to make.
* The Crust: Use a pre-made graham cracker crust, or make your own by combining graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.
* The Filling: Combine key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and lime zest. Pour into the crust and bake until set.
* Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled. Garnish with whipped cream and a lime wedge.
7. Carrot Cake
* Description: A moist and flavorful cake made with shredded carrots, spices, and walnuts, topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
* Why It’s Amazing: This isn’t just any carrot cake; it’s The Cheesecake Factory’s Carrot Cake. It’s perfectly spiced and the cake is incredibly moist with generous amounts of walnuts providing a satisfying crunch. The cream cheese frosting is rich and decadent, complementing the spiced cake perfectly. It’s a truly comforting and satisfying dessert.
* Copycat Potential: There are many carrot cake recipes, but capturing the Cheesecake Factory’s particular moistness and spice blend requires careful attention.
* The Cake: Use a recipe that includes both oil and applesauce for maximum moisture. Finely shred the carrots. Don’t skimp on the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger).
* The Frosting: Use a high-quality cream cheese and don’t overbeat the frosting, as it can become too soft.
* Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled or at room temperature. A sprinkle of chopped walnuts adds a nice finishing touch.
8. Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheesecake
*Description: While technically containing “cheesecake”, this is a hybrid dessert worth mentioning due to its unique flavor profile that departs from the traditional cheesecake experience. A creamy lemon cheesecake swirled with raspberry coulis, creating a tangy, sweet, and visually stunning treat.
*Why it’s amazing: The combination of lemon and raspberry is a match made in heaven. The tartness of the lemon cuts through the richness of the cheesecake, while the raspberry adds a burst of fruity sweetness. The swirling pattern is also visually appealing.
*Copycat Potential:
*The Cheesecake: Start with a basic cheesecake recipe. Add lemon zest and lemon juice to the batter.
*The Raspberry Coulis: Puree fresh or frozen raspberries with sugar and a little lemon juice. Strain to remove the seeds.
*Assembly: Swirl the raspberry coulis into the cheesecake batter before baking.
*Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled. Garnish with fresh raspberries and a lemon twist.
Tips for Ordering Dessert at The Cheesecake Factory
* Consider Sharing: The Cheesecake Factory’s desserts are notoriously large. Sharing allows you to try more than one without feeling overly full.
* Read the Descriptions Carefully: Pay attention to the ingredients and flavor profiles to choose a dessert that suits your preferences.
* Ask Your Server for Recommendations: Servers often have insider knowledge of the best and most popular desserts.
* Don’t Be Afraid to Customize: Ask if you can add or remove certain toppings or ingredients.
* Check for Seasonal Specials: The Cheesecake Factory often offers limited-time desserts that are worth trying.
* Look at Pictures: The online menu and websites like Yelp often have pictures that can help you decide.
* Pace Yourself: Don’t order dessert before you’ve finished your meal. You’ll want to save room to fully enjoy your sweet treat.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Sweet Beyond the Cheesecake
The Cheesecake Factory is more than just cheesecake. It’s a culinary playground with a vast and diverse menu, offering something for everyone. By venturing beyond the cheesecake aisle, you can discover a world of delicious desserts that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more. So, the next time you find yourself at The Cheesecake Factory, be adventurous, explore the menu, and discover your new favorite non-cheesecake dessert. You might just be surprised at what you find! Happy indulging!