Description
Creamy vanilla cheesecake delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, silky texture and classic New York-style appeal. Indulgent graham cracker crust and smooth cream cheese filling create a memorable finale for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Cheesecake Filling):
- 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
Garnish/Optional Ingredients:
(None specified in original recipe)
Instructions
- Set the oven temperature to 325F (160C) to prepare for baking the cheesecake.
- Create a sturdy base by mixing graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, then firmly pressing the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese and sugar until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate sour cream and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, stirring until thoroughly blended.
- Gently introduce eggs into the mixture one by one, carefully folding after each addition to maintain a smooth texture.
- Transfer the creamy batter onto the prepared graham cracker crust, ensuring an even distribution.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, watching for slightly jiggly center and set edges as indicators of perfect doneness.
- Once baking completes, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool gradually inside with the door slightly ajar, preventing sudden temperature changes.
- Chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight to achieve optimal flavor and texture before serving.
Notes
- Prevent cracks by avoiding overmixing the batter and using room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth incorporation.
- Create a water bath by placing the springform pan in a larger pan filled with hot water to promote even baking and prevent surface cracking.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version.
- Experiment with flavor variations by adding lemon zest, chocolate chips, or fruit compote swirls to customize the classic vanilla cheesecake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg