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Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe

You’re going to flip for this Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe. I mean, who wouldn’t love a cheesecake that’s not only fun and festive with its quirky Frankensteins design, but also gluten-free and packed with the earthy, vibrant flavor of matcha? Whether you’re making it for Halloween or just craving something a little different, this cheesecake strikes the perfect balance between creamy richness and that subtle grassy hint that matcha lovers adore. Grab your apron — I’m about to walk you through how to get this recipe just right so it turns out as fantastic as mine does every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Perfect Texture: The cream cheese and whipped cream combo creates a light yet creamy cheesecake that’s not too dense.
  • Gluten-Free Crust: A homemade cocoa almond crust gives that chocolatey crunch without any gluten drama.
  • Matcha Flavor That Pops: Using high-quality matcha powder ensures vibrant color and authentic taste.
  • Fun Halloween Flair: The black sesame icing makes those Frankensteins come alive with easy but impressive decoration.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe strikes a great balance between unique flavors and textures, thanks to a few thoughtfully chosen ingredients. The crust is chewy yet crisp, while the matcha cheesecake filling is silky and perfectly sweetened.

  • Heavy Cream: Whipping this adds airiness and lightness to the cheesecake, preventing it from feeling dense.
  • Cream Cheese: The star of any cheesecake, it brings richness and tang that balances the matcha’s earthiness.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sift it well to avoid lumps and ensure smooth sweetness throughout your filling.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: A subtle hint that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
  • High-Quality Matcha Powder: This gives you that iconic green color and really fragrant flavor—don’t skimp here!
  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Crust Ingredients: Almond flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, gluten-free oat flour, and tapioca flour work together for a sturdy, flavorful crust that holds the filling perfectly.
  • Unsalted Butter: Cold and cubed to make sure your crust dough clumps just right without getting greasy.
  • Black Sesame Seeds and Oil: For the fun, jet-black icing that transforms your cheesecake bars into little Frankensteins.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how versatile this Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe is. Over time, I found fun ways to tweak it for different occasions or just to suit my mood, and honestly, you should do the same!

  • Matcha Intensity: If you’re newer to matcha, start with less powder and bump it up gradually until you find that perfect grassy kiss without overpowering sweetness.
  • Crust Alternatives: Don’t stress if you don’t have all the flours—crumbled gluten-free chocolate cookies mixed with butter work great here (I’ve done it plenty of times).
  • Sweetener Swap: You can swap powdered sugar for confectioner’s erythritol for a keto twist — just be mindful it might change the texture a tiny bit.
  • Decorations Variations: Instead of black sesame icing, try white chocolate drizzle or crushed pistachios for a different flair.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Gluten-Free Chocolate Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper—trust me, this makes cleanup so much easier. In a stand mixer or food processor, sift together the almond flour, cocoa powder, oat flour, sugar, and salt for that impeccably smooth chocolate crust. Then add the cold cubed butter and vanilla extract. Beat it on medium-low until the dough starts clumping—that crumbly to hold-together transition is your cue that it’s ready. Press this into your pan evenly, prick all over with a fork, and pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. When it’s chilled, bake it for about 16 minutes until firm but not burning. While still warm, press the crust down with a glass—this little trick helps it hold together beautifully once cool. Speaking from experience, if you’re like me and hate waiting, slide it onto a cooling rack and pop it in the fridge while you prep the filling.

Step 2: Make the Luscious Matcha Cheesecake Filling

Switch over to your mixer with the whisk attachment and whip the heavy cream until you see those lovely firm peaks. I always use the stand mixer here, but a hand mixer works just fine. Once whipped, set it aside. Now, clean or switch to the paddle attachment, and beat the softened cream cheese until it’s utterly smooth and fluffy. Slowly add in powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing thoroughly. This is where that reserved 2 tablespoons of filling comes into play—scoop it out now if you’re decorating the Frankensteins’ eyes later. Next, sift in your matcha powder and beat it until the filling is an even, striking green. Finally, fold in the whipped cream gently—don’t rush this or you’ll lose that light texture. Smooth this gorgeous mixture over your completely cooled crust with an offset spatula, getting it as even as you can. Now chill it for 2-3 hours—it’s worth the wait for that firm, slice-ready cheesecake.

Step 3: Get Creative with Black Sesame Icing & Frankenstein Faces

While your cheesecake chills, make the black sesame icing. Toasted black sesame seeds take center stage here—they get pulsed until almost paste-like in a high-speed blender or food processor, combined with powdered sugar, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt. This icing is thick and velvety, perfect for piping. Chill it for at least 20 minutes so it firms up nicely. Load the reserved cheesecake filling into a piping bag with a tiny round tip and make those cute little eyes on each cheesecake bar. Then pipe on the black sesame icing for hair, pupils, and that iconic Frankensteins’ stitched mouth. Back in the fridge they go until you’re ready to impress your guests.

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Pro Tips for Making Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe

  • Room Temperature Cream Cheese: I always let mine soften completely for that smoothest filling, otherwise you’ll have lumps.
  • Sift Your Matcha & Sugar: This prevents clumps and gives you that gorgeous even-colored filling.
  • Use an Offset Spatula: Makes smoothing the cheesecake filling a breeze to achieve a professional look.
  • Clean Your Knife Between Slices: Wiping the blade with a damp paper towel keeps your pieces smooth and clean-cut every time.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe

The image shows several square green cookies arranged on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two small round white eyes with black centers near the top. Below the eyes, there is a black zigzag mouth that looks like stitched lines. At the top edge of each cookie, there is also a black wavy line looking like hair. The cookies appear to have two layers: a darker base and a smooth green frosting layer on top. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I often dust a tiny bit of extra matcha powder over the tops just before serving for that elegant, fresh look. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of toasted black sesame seeds to echo the icing flavor and add a subtle nutty crunch—plus it looks cool! A dollop of whipped cream on the side never hurts, either.

Side Dishes

This cheesecake pairs wonderfully with lightly brewed green teas or jasmine tea to keep that delicate, earthy vibe going. For a party, I like to serve fresh berries or a fruit compote on the side to add bright, juicy contrast to the cheesecake’s creaminess.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween gatherings, I’ve laid the cheesecake bars out on a black slate board with cobweb decorations and edible eyeballs scattered around for dramatic effect. You can line them up neatly or stagger for that Frankenstein “army” vibe—guests love seeing the quirky faces right away!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, wrapped snugly to avoid any fridge odors sneaking in. They stay fresh and creamy for up to 3 days, though honestly it rarely lasts that long around here!

Freezing

If you want to freeze these—maybe for a party later—I slice them first, then place parchment paper between layers in an airtight container. They freeze beautifully for up to a month. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge to maintain their texture.

Reheating

Since this is a chilled dessert, reheating isn’t necessary; just bring slices to room temperature for 15-20 minutes if you want them softer. Avoid microwaving because it changes the texture too much.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular matcha powder instead of ceremonial or latte grade?

    You can, but I recommend using a high-quality ceremonial or latte grade matcha for this cheesecake. It’s more vibrant in color and less bitter, which is perfect since you want that bright green and smooth flavor. Lower-grade matcha can taste more astringent and dull in color.

  2. Is there an alternative to the black sesame icing for decorating?

    Absolutely! If black sesame isn’t your thing, try melted chocolate or a simple dark chocolate ganache piped for the Frankenstein faces. You could also use black food coloring with royal icing, but I love the nutty flavor the sesame adds.

  3. Can I make this cheesecake without an oven?

    The crust needs baking to firm up properly, but if you’re pressed for time or no oven access, a no-bake crust using crushed gluten-free cookies mixed with melted butter and chilled until firm works well. Just skip the baking step and chill the crust thoroughly before filling.

  4. How do I prevent cracks in the cheesecake?

    This recipe is more of a mousse-style cheesecake, so cracks are less common than in baked cheesecakes. Just make sure to whip the cream properly and fold gently to keep that light, airy texture. Also, chilling it fully before slicing helps maintain clean edges with no cracking.

  5. Can I make these Frankensteins ahead for a party?

    Definitely! You can prepare the whole cheesecake, chill it overnight, and pipe on the decorations a few hours before your event. This way, the icing sets nicely, and you won’t feel rushed on party day.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe is one of those desserts that brings smiles — not just for the cute decoration but for the delightful balance of flavors and textures. It feels like a cozy baking win every time I pull it out of the fridge, and I know you’ll get the same satisfaction making and sharing these with your people. Whether it’s your first time working with matcha or your Halloween showstopper, give it a try — you might just find your new favorite cheesecake!

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Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 11 reviews
  • Author: Madison
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 41 minutes
  • Yield: 16 cheesecake bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Gluten-Free Matcha Cheesecake Frankensteins recipe combines a creamy matcha-infused cheesecake filling with a rich gluten-free chocolate crust. Decorated with black sesame icing for a fun, spooky Halloween theme, these cheesecake bars are perfect for celebrations or a unique dessert treat.


Ingredients

Matcha Cheesecake

  • ⅔ cup heavy cream
  • 2 8-ounce full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1½ tablespoon high-quality matcha powder
  • 1 gluten-free chocolate crust (see below)
  • Optional: black sesame icing for decoration

Gluten-Free Chocolate Crust

  • ½ cup (59 g) super-fine blanched almond flour
  • ¼ cup + ½ tablespoon (30 g) unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup (30 g) gluten-free oat flour
  • 1 tablespoon (8 g) Bob’s Red Mill tapioca flour
  • 2 tablespoons (26 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into ¼-inch cubes
  • ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Black Sesame Icing

  • 1 cup toasted black sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon coconut oil
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt


Instructions

  1. Prepare the gluten-free chocolate crust: Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, sift together almond flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, oat flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and vanilla extract.
  2. Mix the crust dough: Beat on medium-low until dough begins to clump and butter is incorporated, about 3-5 minutes. The mixture will initially be crumbly but will come together when pinched.
  3. Form and chill the crust: Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Prick all over with a fork and chill for 15 minutes while preheating the oven.
  4. Bake the crust: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake crust on the middle rack for 16 minutes, until firm but not burnt. While hot, press down with a cup to hold crust together and let cool completely, preferably placing on a rack in the fridge.
  5. Whip the heavy cream: In a clean bowl with a whisk attachment, whip heavy cream on medium-high speed until firm peaks form. Transfer to a separate bowl and set aside.
  6. Prepare the cream cheese mixture: Beat cream cheese in a bowl with paddle attachment until smooth, light, and airy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
  7. Add matcha powder: Sift matcha powder into the cream cheese mixture and beat until fully incorporated and uniform.
  8. Fold in whipped cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and combined.
  9. Assemble the cheesecake: Spoon the filling onto the cooled crust and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to chill and set.
  10. Slice the cheesecake: Once chilled, slice into 12 (3×4) rectangles, cleaning the knife between slices for neat edges.
  11. Prepare black sesame icing (optional): While cheesecake chills, pulse black sesame seeds in a high-speed blender or food processor for 20 seconds. Add powdered sugar, coconut oil, and salt and process until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag, chill 20 minutes to firm.
  12. Decorate Frankensteins: Reserve about 2 tablespoons of cheesecake filling for piping white eyes. Pipe two dots for eyes on each cheesecake bar. Use black sesame icing to pipe hair, pupils, and cross-hatch mouths. Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use high-quality ceremonial or latte grade matcha powder for vibrant green color; Encha Organic Latte Grade matcha is recommended.
  • If gluten-free flours for crust are unavailable, substitute with 2 cups crushed gluten-free chocolate cookies and 4 tablespoons melted butter, then bake for 9 minutes or chill unbaked until set.
  • Pressing down the crust while hot helps it hold together better when cooled.
  • Wiping the knife between slices ensures clean, professional-looking cheesecake bars.
  • Black sesame icing can be prepared in advance and kept chilled until decorating.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cheesecake bar
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 115 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

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