BEST Classic Cheesecake
This New York style cheesecake recipe is light and silky smooth. These easy instructions will guide you into making a fool-proof, impressive classic cheesecake. Pairs with every topping – chocolate sauce, jam, caramel – you name it!
Tips to create amazing cheesecake
Making cheesecake may seem daunting, but with this recipe and a few simple tips, I promise you’ll be on the easy road to success! Elements for a perfect cheesecake:
Springform pan: Spring form pans create a nice even bake and releases perfectly from the edges of the cheesecake.
Room temperature ingredients: Cheesecake batter mixes up SO much better when all of the ingredients are added at room temperature. If you’ve forgotten to set it out on the counter beforehand and are in a rush, I like to put my eggs in a bowl of warm water and put my cream cheese in the microwave for just enough time to soften.
Not over mixing: Once you’ve added the eggs to the cheesecake mixture, the key is to NOT over mix to prevent any air bubbles from getting into the cheesecake
Water bath: A water bath isn’t necessary, but it will almost guarantee that you won’t get any cracks in your cheesecake. If you’re making a cheesecake with an additional layer on top that will cover any cracks, like my Cheesecake Factory Oreo Cheesecake or Biscoff Cheesecake, then it’s not crucial. A large roasting pan makes a great water bath. You wrap the bottom of the cheesecake in a thick layer of aluminum foil, stick it in the roasting pan, and have the water line come about 1/3 – 1/2 way up the pan. Allows for a nice slow, even bake that prevents cheesecake from cracking.
Long cooling time: Another factor that can help prevent a cheesecake from cracking is avoiding any sudden changes in temperature. When the cheesecake is done baking, typically around 55 minutes, I turn off the oven and keep the oven door CLOSED. Then after 30-6o minutes, I crack the oven door open and let it sit in there for another few hours before transferring it to the fridge.
Toppings
The best part about a simple classic cheesecake? It’s easy to please everyone! Bake a cheesecake and host a cheesecake bar with a bunch of different toppings for every taste bud. It’s a fun way to get together with friends. PLUS, cheesecake is SO easy to make in advance, as well as toppings, so it makes for easy (yet impressive!) hosting. Here are some of our favorite toppings, but feel free to get creative with your favorites! My homemade caramel sauce might be my favorite topping!
Strawberry Sauce
Dulce de Leche or
Caramel Sauce
Blueberry Jam
Chocolate Ganache or Hot Fudge
BEST Classic Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs 11 sheets
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 TB melted butter
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
Cheesecake
- 32 oz cream cheese cream cheese (4 standard 8 oz packages)
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 2 TB all purpose flour
- 2 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat oven to 350° F. In a food processor blend graham crackers (or mash in a plastic bag) until blended into fine crumbs. Combine sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Mix until evenly blended.
- Press into the bottom and sides of a 9" springform pan greased with nonstick spray. Bake for about 8 minutes. Set aside.
Cheesecake
- Preheat oven to 325° F. Place a baking pan or roasting pan filled with about 1 inch of water in the oven while you prepare the cheesecake filling. The pan just needs to be large enough to fit your springform pan.(This water bath step is optional if you don't have a pan large enough. It just helps provide a nice slow, even bake & prevents cracks from forming in your cheesecake.)
- Using a handheld or stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the room temperature cream cheese, flour, and sugar together until smooth and combined.(It's VERY important that the ingredients are at room temp to get a smooth, easy to mix, filling.)
- Add the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon juice. Stir again on low speed until just combined. Then one at a time, add the 3 eggs + 1 extra yolk. Once it's combined, stop the mixer immediately. You do NOT want to over mix this. Over mixing can cause cracking.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan with the graham cracker crust. To do the water bath, wrap the bottom of the pan in aluminum foil to prevent water from leaking in. Gently tap the pan to remove any air bubbles, then gently set the springform pan in the water bath. The waterline should not be taller than the aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 55-65 minutes. The center will be just slightly jiggly when it's ready, with the edges set. Turn the oven off, crack the oven door open, and leave it in there to slowly cool down for about 1 hour. (You can also leave it in there for up to 4 more hours if that's what ends up working in your schedule.)
- Transfer it to the fridge and let it chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight. It's delicious and classic to serve plain, or feel free to add your favorite topping! (Ideas in recipe post above!)
Notes
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