Description
Classic creme brulee cheesecake blends French and American dessert traditions into one luxurious treat. Rich cream cheese filling meets caramelized sugar topping, delivering elegant indulgence you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
Cream Cheese:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, softened
Eggs:
- 3 large eggs
Heavy Cream:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Supporting Ingredients:
Sugar:
- 1 3/4 cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
Vanilla:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Craft a buttery foundation by combining graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a springform pan, creating an even base. Bake at 325F for 10 minutes to set the crust, then allow it to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sugar until the mixture becomes silky and smooth. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next. Gently fold in vanilla extract and heavy cream, blending until the filling achieves a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Transfer the cheesecake filling into the prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Position the springform pan inside a larger baking dish filled with hot water, creating a protective water bath. Bake at 325F for 50-60 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center that indicates perfect doneness.
- After baking, turn off the oven and crack the door open, allowing the cheesecake to gradually cool inside for about 30 minutes. This prevents sudden temperature changes that could cause cracking.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight, enabling it to set completely and develop rich, complex flavors.
- Before serving, generously sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar across the cheesecake’s surface. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar, moving continuously until it transforms into a crisp, golden-brown crust that shatters beautifully when tapped.
Notes
- Crush graham crackers finely to ensure a smooth, compact crust that holds together perfectly when sliced.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to create a silky, lump-free filling that blends seamlessly.
- Create a water bath by wrapping the springform pan in aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping into the cheesecake and causing a soggy bottom.
- Torch the sugar topping just before serving to maintain the crisp caramel crackle that defines a classic creme brulee experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg