Description
Creamy New York-style cheesecake emerges perfectly from this classic water bath method. Precise temperature control and gentle baking ensure a silky, crack-free dessert you’ll savor with each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 (8 ounces) packages cream cheese, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) melted butter
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 325F (163C) and meticulously shield the springform pan with aluminum foil to block water infiltration.
- Craft the foundational crust by blending graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, firmly pressing the mixture into the pan’s base.
- Create a velvety cream cheese base by whipping softened cream cheese until silky smooth, then incorporate sugar and vanilla, ensuring thorough integration.
- Gradually introduce eggs, mixing comprehensively after each addition to maintain a uniform texture, then fold in sour cream and flour until perfectly combined.
- Transfer the luxurious cheesecake mixture into the prepared crust, positioning the springform pan inside a larger roasting vessel.
- Carefully cascade boiling water into the roasting pan, ensuring it ascends precisely halfway up the springform pan’s exterior.
- Bake for 55-70 minutes, watching for a center that sets with a subtle tremor, then deactivate the oven and allow the cheesecake to rest internally for one hour.
- Extract the cheesecake from its water bath, permit complete cooling to ambient temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or ideally overnight before serving.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps and create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Wrap the springform pan with multiple layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil to guarantee no water leaks into the delicate crust.
- Use a water bath to create gentle, even heating that prevents cracking and produces a silky, perfectly baked cheesecake.
- Avoid overmixing the batter after adding eggs to prevent incorporating too much air, which can cause surface cracks during baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 535
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg