Learn how to make the best cheesecake with this melt in your mouth recipe! Follow these simple tips to ensure your cheesecake turns out light, creamy, and free of cracks every single time.
It’s no secret, I love cheesecake. Who doesn’t? I love the process of making it.
But, even more than that, I love eating it. I can’t resist a thick, creamy homemade cheesecake full tangy vanilla flavor on a buttery graham cracker crust. It's phenomenal with raspberry sauce.
Nutella cheesecake is by far my most favorite. It's wildly popular! If you end up making it then, I suggest also giving this cappuccino cheesecake and butterfinger cheesecake a try!
I often get asked what my secret is when it comes to making cheesecake. So today I’m sharing my favorite tips and tricks for cheesecake perfection.
I’ll discuss each little step, every ingredient, and how to avoid those pesky cracks.
Why this cheesecake recipe works
- Quality ingredients make all the difference! Choose a full-fat brick cream cheese from a top brand. Philadelphia cream cheese is what I use most.
- My technique for folding the eggs in at the very end eliminated excess air in the batter. This helps prevent the cheesecake from cracking.
- A low baking temperature and water bath are used to create the creamiest texture you've ever had.
Ingredients
- Graham crackers: The crust is made from graham cracker crumbs but you could use vanilla Oreos or vanilla wafers also.
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar is in the crust and the filling.
- Butter: Melted butter is the "glue" the holds the crust together.
- Cream cheese: Full-fat brick-style cream cheese is best! Don't try to use the whipped stuff in plastic containers.
- Sour cream: Heavy cream or plain Greek yogurt work for this recipe also.
- Vanilla extract: Choose a high-quality pure vanilla extract.
- Eggs: Give a smoother texture.
How do you make a cheesecake from scratch?
The most important ingredient is, of course, cream cheese. I have found that a high-quality cream cheese yields the best texture.
Personally, I like to use Philadelphia, but any good quality cream cheese will do. And make sure it’s full-fat. Cheesecakes are not meant to be “light”.
Step 1: Make the crust
Combine melted butter with sugar and graham cracker crumbs. The crumbs should resemble wet sand.
Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and about an inch up the sides. Make sure press it firmly to build a tight, firm crust.
Bake the crust for about 10 minutes then let it cool completely before adding the filling.
Step 2: Make the filling
This recipe contains 4 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, but that’s not the only thing it needs.
Most of my cheesecake recipes call for heavy cream, but today I’m using sour cream. Sour cream offers a tang that cuts through the richness of the filling and yields velvety texture.
I also add 4 eggs to hold everything together. It’s important not to whip too much air into the batter once the eggs are added.
Excess air in the eggs will cause the filling to rise during baking. As the cheesecake cools, it will deflate. This is what causes those ugly cracks in the top.
Use stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer and large bowl to beat the cream cheese on medium speed until it's smooth and creamy.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat in the sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until well combined.
Then, lightly beat the eggs with a fork and gently fold them into the batter using a silicone spatula.
Pour the batter into the cooled crust.
Step 3: Prepare a water bath
A water bath creates steam inside the oven which helps cook the cheesecake without drying it out. It’s a method I swear by but it can be tricky.
I get so many emails from people who ruined their cake because water seeped into the pan.
The trick to keeping the water out is to wrap the pan in aluminum foil that is extra wide. Look for 18-inch wide heavy-duty foil.
For an extra layer of protection, you can also set the pan inside an oven bag and roll the sides down to meet the top of the pan.
Fill a roasting pan with a few inches of boiling water, set the cheesecake in the center, and put the whole thing in the oven.
Use this free download to get a printout of how to properly use a water bath and prevent leaks.
Step 4: Cook and cool
Always cook on the lower third rack of the oven. This helps keep the top from getting too brown before the cheesecake has cooked through.
And cook just until the outer edge has set, but the center is still jiggly and looks wet. This takes about 1 hour but it could take a little longer depending on your oven.
Another way to ensure your cheesecake remains free of cracks is to allow it to cool gradually. Turn the oven off and leave it in the oven with the door closed for 1 hour.
Remove it from the water bath, run a knife around the outside edge to loosen it from the pan, and let the it cool to room temperature.
Always plan ahead
Cheesecake needs to be refrigerated for at least 4 hours for it to finish setting up. I prefer to let my cheesecake chill overnight. The texture seems to turn out best this way.
So be sure to allow ample time to make and chill before serving it. You will be disappointed if you cut into the cheesecake too soon.
If you take these steps into consideration, I promise you will have the best homemade cheesecake you've ever had!
Tips for making the best cheesecake recipe
- Begin with room temperature ingredients. Set the cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs out on the counter 30 minutes prior to making the recipe.
- Don't incorporate air into the eggs by beating them in with a mixer. Instead, gently fold the eggs in at the very end by using a silicone spatula.
- For the creamiest texture, be sure to use a water bath.
- After the cheesecake bakes for an hour, turn off the oven and let it sit inside for another hour.
More homemade cheesecake recipes you'll love
The Best Cheesecake Recipe
Learn how to make the best cheesecake with this melt in your mouth recipe!
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups (198 g) graham cracker crumbs, about 16 whole crackers
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake
- 32 ounces (908 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ⅓ cups (267 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (227 g) sour cream, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
Instructions
Make the Crust
- Move the oven rack to the lower third position and heat the oven to 350°F. Wrap the outer bottom of a 9-inch springform pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil. SEE NOTE 1.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and about 2-inches up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool while you make the filling.
Make the Cheesecake
- Reduce the oven temperature to 300ºF.
- In a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and sour cream, beat until well combined. Add the vanilla, beat on low speed until smooth. Using a silicone spatula, gently stir in the eggs just until combined. Pour the batter over the prepared crust.
- Fill a roasting pan with a few inches of boiling water and place the cheesecake in the center. Bake for 1 hour, OR until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Turn the oven off, leave the cheesecake in the water bath in the oven for another hour. SEE NOTE 2.
- Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and place it on a wire rack. Run a small knife around the outer edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan and leave it to cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Remove the sides of the pan just before serving. Garnish with berries and/or whipped cream. The cheesecake will keep for up to 4 days covered and stored in the refrigerator.
Notes
- You can line the inside bottom of the springform pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil if desired. It's not completely necessary but does make it easier to clean the pan.
- Oven temperatures can vary which means your cheesecake may need more time to bake. You'll know it is done cooking when the outer edges of the cheesecake feel firm to the touch while the center looks wet and jiggles when shaken. If the cheesecake doesn't look this way after an hour of cooking, let it cook until it does. Then you can turn the oven off and let the cheesecake rest for another hour in the oven.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 412Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 151mgSodium: 556mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 20g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the values shown are just an estimate.
Bavleen says
Hi! This recipe was insanely PERFECT! My brother in law is an avid cheesecake fan and he loved it. I read a lot of reviews before picking a recipe so I wanted to leave some notes to hopefully help others.
- I didn't have a 9 inch pan so instead I used an 8 inch one, which meant I had left over batter. I crushed up some more graham cracker cookies and threw them into small 5-6cm aluminum foil tins and baked them. They did crack, but once I covered them in the strawberry sauce they were the perfect "thank you" or "take home" portion.
- I didn't do the standard water bath but instead did what others said, and put a tray of water into the oven directly below the cake. And I did bake on the lowest possible rack and it worked perfectly. Do what Jen says, add the water into the tray once it's in the oven. Moving a tray full of water did not go well for me. Oops!
- I felt my graham cracker layer was very crumbly. I would add more butter to the mixture to help keep it together.
Other than that, the cake was incredible. I left the cake in the oven closed for an hour, and didn't take it out until I felt no more heat coming out of the oven. When putting into the fridge, I'd cover it with plastic wrap to help make sure the strawberry sauce stays wet, but that's just me.
Thanks for an awesome recipe! Can't wait to make another flavour!
Kayleigh says
Hi Jen. Your methodology has been wonderful and I love it! It is now my go-to. A friend has asked me to make her a cheesecake but instead of a 9” she wants a 6”. Do you know what changes would need to be made as far as baking temp or time? Thank you so much!
Jen Sobjack says
The baking temp would remain the same but the time would need to be reduced slightly. I'm not sure how long a 6-inch cheesecake takes to bake so I suggest keeping an eye on it. Once the edges are set and the center is still jiggly, the cheesecake is done.
Jessica says
Hi Jen!
Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe, along with others on the page! Just a quick question...what kind of bag do you use in the oven? I've wrapped the pan in foil and noticed that it is a bit of a watery mess when I pull it out of the oven (depending on my wrapping, some water even gets in).
Thanks! 🙂
Jen Sobjack says
It's just an oven bag that is turkey size. You can find them near the aluminum foil.
Zainab says
Hi I have made this cheesecake so many times it turns out perfectly. Just wanted to know if I was to use an 8” cake tin how much would I reduce the ingredients by? Thank you
Jen Sobjack says
I've not tried to reduce the recipe for an 8" cake tin before. But, here is a great resource for converting pan sizes.
Nadine says
Hi there
I made your pecan pie cheesecake and loved it. This one is next on my list for my daughter's birthday party. I would like to make it ahead of time, so I assume it can be frozen just like the pecan pie one?
Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Jen Sobjack says
Yes, cheesecakes will be good for up to 3 months stored in the freezer. Make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Tammy says
Hi there! I've only managed to find medium fat cream cheese, will it still work?
Jen Sobjack says
Medium fat cream cheese is much softer than full fat. This may cause issues with the cheesecake setting properly.
Keyma says
Hi Jen,
Is there any way I can incorporate cornstarch or flour into the recipe to make it a bit firmer? If so, how much would you suggest?
Jen Sobjack says
I don't suggest adding cornstarch since this is a baked recipe. You can bake the cheesecake longer than the recommended time to make it less creamy.
Jenny Freij says
I´m a big fan of your Nutella cheesecake and would like to try this one as well.
Now since I am a blueberry lover: is there any way I could incorporate them in this cheesecake?
Like maybe put a layer of blueberry jam between two layers of filling (instead of drizzling it on top when serving), or would that ruin the cheesecake?
Grateful for any thoughts!
Jen Sobjack says
I'd swirl the blueberry jam into the filling just before putting it into the oven.
Jenny says
Thank you so much 🙂
Michel e says
Hi there! Love your recipe. Just curious as to why this recipe doesn't use salt? Will it be okay if I don't?
Jen Sobjack says
It's fine to not use salt. Cheesecakes don't need it unless they're super sweet and need something to balance it. This isn't one of those cheesecakes.
Kaelyn says
Just wanted to let you know I love your cheese cake recipes! I have made this one about 4 times now and I get so many compliments and I really appreciate your thoroughness with the recipe and ingredients!
sej says
Hi Jen,
I have made and absolutely love your triple chocolate cheesecake recipe. Always get rave reviews. Im not sure why I never tried a regular cheesecake....but am excited to try this recipe. I have a few queries:
1) We don't get sour cream where I stay, so can I use a mix of heavy cream and yogurt --> combined to a 3/4 to get the tang? or 1/2 cup thick yogurt and 1/2 cup cream? or some measure combination?
2) Can I use this recipe for mini cheesecakes?
Thanks!
Jen Sobjack says
I've never mixed yogurt with heavy cream so I'm not sure how it will turn out. You can always experiment with it to see if you are satisfied with the results. I haven't made this particular cheesecake into mini cheesecakes before but I don't see why it would be an issue. You'd just need to adjust the bake time.
Karlo says
Can I use coconut oil instead of butter?
Jen Sobjack says
I've never used coconut oil for the crust but I imagine it would be okay.
Jenny says
Awesome recipe! Every time I make it, all my friends and family have loved it. For the biscuit base i used marie biscuits but i used the whole pack and used heavy cream instead of sour cream (found that it was accepted by all generations).