Baked Cheesecake
A rich, velvety classic New York-style baked cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
- •1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (150g)
- •1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (75g)
- •3 tablespoons granulated sugar (35g)
- •4 packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature (32 oz / 900g)
- •1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- •1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- •3 large eggs, at room temperature
- •1 cup sour cream, at room temperature (240ml)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- 2
In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- 3
Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the prepared springform pan, then bake for 10 minutes and let cool.
- 4
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- 5
Add the vanilla extract and beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined to avoid incorporating too much air.
- 6
Gently fold in the sour cream until the batter is completely uniform and silky.
- 7
Pour the cream cheese batter over the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- 8
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly when the pan is gently tapped.
- 9
Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside the oven for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
- 10
Chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, before slicing and serving.
💡 Chef tips
- Ensure all filling ingredients are at room temperature to prevent lumps in the batter.
- Wrap the outside of your springform pan tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil if you prefer to bake it in a water bath to guarantee zero cracks.
- Store the cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished cheesecake should be ultra-smooth, creamy, and dense with a golden buttery crust and a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy flavor.