Step 1

Preheat oven to at 325°F (160°C). Prepare and measure all the ingredients and set out on your working area. I used a 9-inch springform pan. Grease the entire pan and line the bottom part with parchment paper. Please refer to notes if you use other pan.

Step 2

On a stove top, melt cream cheese, butter and full milk on low heat. Use a whisk to mix well until the cream cheese melts completely without lumps. Remove from heat.

Step 3

Sift the cake flour and corn starch.

Step 4

Add egg yolks, lemon juice and salt to the cream cheese mixture. Whisk to combine well. Add the cake flour and corn starch, whisk until a smooth batter forms and there is no lump.

Step 5

Make the meringue by whisking egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar until light, foamy and soft peaks form. You can beat with a stand mixer or electronic hand mixer. I used speed 4 and beat for 1-2 minutes or until soft peaks form. DO NOT over beat.

Step 6

Add the cream cheese mixture gently into the meringue, FOLD GENTLY until well incorporated.

Step 7

Pour the mixture into the springform pan. Tap the cake pan gently before baking.

Step 8

Bake the cake using hot water bath. Place the cake pan in a larger pan and add 1 inch of hot water in the larger pan. Bake at the bottom shelf of the oven for 1 hour 10 minutes.

Step 9

Leave the Japanese cheesecake to cool down in the oven with the oven door open, about 30 minutes. This will prevent sudden change of temperature that may cause the cake to shrink. However, it's normal that the cake will shrink about 1/2 - 1 inch after cooling.

Step 10

Refrigerate the cake (with or without the cake tin) for at least 4 hours or overnight. Top the cake with powdered sugar before serving.