Classic Creamy Cheesecake Recipes

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Melt the butter, covered in the microwave, in a medium microwave-safe bowl, or a saucepan. Brush a 9-inch springform pan with some of the butter. Stir the remaining butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt. Press the crumb mixture over the bottom of the pan, taking care to get the crust evenly into the edges. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool. Wrap the bottom and up the sides of the pan with foil and put in a roasting pan.
• For the filling: Beat the cream cheese on medium speed with a hand-held mixer until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat just until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl and beaters as needed. Slowly beat in the sour cream, then eggs, vanilla and both citrus zests; take care not to over whip. Pour into the cooled crust.
• Bring a medium saucepan or kettle of water to a boil. Gently place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out of the oven). Pour in enough hot water to come about halfway up the side of the springform pan. Bake the cheesecake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes---the outside of the cake will set but the center will still be loose.
• For the topping: Stir together the sour cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Spread over the top of the cooked cheesecake and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Turn the oven off, cook the cheesecake in the residual heat in the oven for about 1 hour. This gentle finish minimizes the risk of the dreaded crack in your cheesecake.
• Remove cheesecake from the roasting pan to a rack. Run a knife around the edges and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Bring cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Remove the springform ring. Dip a knife in warm water, wipe dry before slicing each piece. Serve with berries, if desired.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar for crust in a bowl until mixture resembles wet sand. Transfer to the prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press crumbs firmly into an even layer.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit on a wire rack until completely cool. Leave the oven on.
• While the crust is cooling, beat cream cheese in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low speed until smooth.
• Add sugar, sour cream, and vanilla. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl and continue to beat until combined.
• Gently whisk one egg with a fork in a small bowl; add to the cream cheese mixture and beat just until combined. Repeat with each remaining egg, whisking and adding just one at a time.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and firmly bang it on the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles.
• Place the springform pan (with the cooled crust) in an oven bag. Fold down the excess and wrap the pan in a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Pour cheesecake mixture into the pan.
• Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan and move it to the lower rack of the oven.
• Pour 2 inches of boiling water into the roasting pan. Bake cheesecake until edges are puffed and surface is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, about 1 ½ hours. Tent the cheesecake with a sheet of foil if the top is browning too much during baking.
• Turn off the oven; keep the oven door closed and let the cheesecake cool slowly for 2 hours.
• Remove from the oven. Take the springform pan out of the water bath and set it on a cooling rack; let sit until it comes to room temperature, about 2 more hours. Place in the refrigerator until fully set, 8 hours to overnight.
• Run the tip of a knife around the edges of the pan. Unhinge the lock and remove the pan sides. Use a warm, clean knife to cut every slice. Top slices with cherry pie filling. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat softened cream cheese slightly. Add eggs, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Beat until light and fluffy. Pour mixture into crust.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until firm, about 25 minutes. Let cheesecake cool then top with cherry or blueberry pie filling, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Mix until evenly moistened; press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and place in the refrigerator.
• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add 1 cup sugar and beat until combined. Add eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; beat on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Pour cream cheese mixture into the chilled cracker crust and spread to evenly cover crust.
• Pour enough water into a rimmed baking sheet to cover the bottom, and place the springform pan on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and increase oven temperature to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Just before cheesecake finishes baking, combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in a bowl for the topping. Spread evenly on top of the cheesecake.
• Return to the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack, and allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 4 hours, before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Mix crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and butter; press firmly onto bottom of pan.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• 55 min. or until center is almost set. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.