To make a classic cheesecake, follow these key steps:
Ingredients
- Cream cheese (about 32 oz or 4 packages)
- Sugar (1 cup or slightly more)
- Sour cream (around 2/3 to 1 cup)
- Eggs (4 large)
- Vanilla extract (1.5 teaspoons)
- Salt (a pinch)
- For crust: graham cracker crumbs or similar (about 1.5 sleeves), melted butter (1 stick), sugar, and salt
Instructions
1. Prepare the crust:
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt until it feels like wet sand.
- Press this mixture evenly into the bottom (and slightly up the sides) of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, then let it cool
2. Make the filling:
- Beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy, avoiding over-beating to prevent too much air incorporation.
- Add sugar and mix until creamy.
- Mix in sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Gradually add eggs one at a time on low speed, mixing just until incorporated after each addition.
- Scrape the bowl to ensure even mixing
3. Bake the cheesecake:
- Pour the batter into the cooled crust.
- Bake at 325°F (160°C) for about 50-60 minutes or until the edges are set and the center slightly jiggles when nudged.
- Some recipes recommend a water bath (placing the springform pan in a larger pan with hot water) to ensure even baking and prevent cracking
- After baking, cool the cheesecake in the oven with the door closed for about 1 hour, then at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to fully set
4. Serving:
- Remove the springform pan ring before serving.
- Slice with a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts.
- Optionally serve with fruit sauce or toppings of choice
This method produces a rich, creamy, and classic New York-style cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust
. For a simpler or no-bake version, recipes also exist but the above is the traditional baked cheesecake approach
. Enjoy your homemade cheesecake!
