Bakery Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Cheesecake
Treat yourself to the ultimate dessert experience with this decadently rich, unbelievably creamy New York-style cheesecake, perfectly grounded by a buttery, crisp graham cracker crust.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Instructions
6 steps- 1
Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- 2
Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool.
- 3
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Blend in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
- 4
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed just until combined after each addition. Do not overmix to prevent cracking.
- 5
Pour the filling over the crust. Place the springform pan into a larger roasting pan and pour boiling water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan (water bath).
- 6
Bake for 60-70 minutes until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and leave the cheesecake inside for 1 hour. Remove, cool to room temperature, and chill in the fridge overnight before serving.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
76/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving260
Calories
5 g
Protein
35 g
Carbs
12 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
American-style cheesecake rests on cream cheese, a product first made in 1872 in Chester, New York, when dairyman William Lawrence tried to recreate French Neufchatel and ended up with a richer, denser curd instead. Pairing that cream cheese with a baked graham cracker crust, rather than the shortcrust or sponge base used in many European cheesecakes, is what gives the American version its distinct base.
Listahan note
This version relies on a gentle, low oven and a gradual cooldown rather than a hot bake, since rapid temperature swings are what crack a cheesecake's surface.
Technique cues
- Cream cheese needs to be fully at room temperature before mixing, or the batter holds small lumps that never smooth out once the cake is in the oven.
- A water bath, or even just a pan of water on the rack below, buffers the direct heat so the edges do not firm up long before the center does.
- The center two to three inches should still jiggle like set gelatin when the pan is nudged; it finishes firming during the chill, not in the oven.
- Turning the oven off and cracking the door for about an hour before removing the cake lets the temperature drop slowly, which is what prevents surface cracks.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- While Cheesecake is in the oven, measure out any garnish or topping — like the graham cracker crumbs — so it's ready the moment the bake finishes cooling.
- Make-ahead
- Cheesecake's dough or batter (built around graham cracker crumbs) can usually be made a day ahead and refrigerated, then baked fresh — many doughs actually improve with an overnight rest.
- Leftover move
- Leftover Cheesecake freezes well — wrap individual portions tightly and thaw at room temperature, or crumble it over ice cream for a quick second life. This one leans on the graham cracker crumbs. The bake step is what sets the pace here.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Soak the mixing bowl and beaters for Cheesecake right away — sugar and butter residue hardens fast once it cools. This one leans on the graham cracker crumbs. The bake step is what sets the pace here.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
Crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
Main protein or body
Purpose: Crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs gives Cheesecake its main substance and carries the seasoning.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
1/3 cup sugar
Sweetness and aroma
Purpose: cup sugar adds aroma, sweetness, or warmth without needing extra garnish.
Handling: Measure before heating and break up clumps so the mix distributes evenly.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
6 tbsp butter. Filling: 32 oz cream cheese
Main protein or body
Purpose: tbsp butter. Filling: 32 oz cream cheese gives Cheesecake its main substance and carries the seasoning.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use unsweetened dairy-free alternatives only where they still provide enough fat and body.
1 cup granulated sugar
Sweetness and aroma
Purpose: cup granulated sugar adds aroma, sweetness, or warmth without needing extra garnish.
Handling: Measure before heating and break up clumps so the mix distributes evenly.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
1 cup sour cream
Richness and texture
Purpose: cup sour cream rounds the texture and helps the dish feel complete.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use unsweetened dairy-free alternatives only where they still provide enough fat and body.
Technique notes
- Run a thin knife around the inside edge of the pan the moment the cheesecake comes out of the oven, before it has a chance to shrink and stick.
- Chill the finished cheesecake overnight rather than for just a couple of hours so the filling is dense enough to hold a clean slice.
- Dip the slicing knife in hot water and wipe it dry between cuts for edges that look neat rather than smeared.
Ingredient swaps
- Dairy-free direction
- Swap the butter for a neutral dairy-free butter and a full-fat plant milk (oat or coconut give the closest richness) — the texture shifts slightly but the dish holds together. This one's done in around 90 minutes, plated for 8. It belongs squarely to the Bakery table. Just 7 ingredients get this one to the table.
- Egg-aware direction
- Replace the eggs with a flax or chia egg (1 tbsp ground seed + 3 tbsp water, rested 5 minutes) for binding, best when eggs are there for binding rather than structure or rise. Clock it at close to 90 minutes to feed 8. This one is rooted in Bakery cooking. It runs 7 ingredients start to finish.
- Lower-sodium direction
- Season lighter on salt than the recipe calls for, then adjust right before serving — it's easier to add more than to fix an oversalted batch. Budget about 90 minutes for this one — it serves 8. It's a Bakery dish through and through. The ingredient list here is 7 items long.
- Weeknight shortcut
- Mix and chill the batter or mix-ins up to a day ahead so the night-of step is just baking, not mixing. Start to plate, this one takes roughly 90 minutes, enough for 8 servings. Bakery technique drives this recipe. Count the ingredient list and it's 7 deep.
Serve alongside
- Fresh berries
- Citrus fruit salad
- Mint leaves
- Black coffee
- Hot tea
- Sparkling water with lemon
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Store covered for 3 to 4 days, refrigerated when dairy, eggs, custard, or fresh fruit are involved.
- Reheat gently only when warmth improves the texture.
- Freeze sturdy baked portions up to 2 months; avoid freezing delicate fresh toppings.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Baking dish or pan
- Cooling rack
Make this household-aware
Listahan Pro checks this recipe against your household's allergens, finds pantry-aware swaps, builds the shopping list, and helps you plan the week around it.
Plan it in Listahan
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