Best Crust Cheesecake Supreme Recipes

BEST CLASSIC CHEESECAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
• If you're starting out with full graham crackers, use a food processor or blender to grind them into fine crumbs. Pour into a medium bowl and stir in sugar until combined, and then stir in the melted butter. Mixture will be sandy. Try to smash/break up any large chunks. Pour into an ungreased 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan. With medium pressure using your hand, pat the crumbs down into the bottom and partly up the sides to make a compact crust. Do not pack down with heavy force because that makes the crust too hard. Simply pat down until the mixture is no longer crumby/crumbly and you can use the flat bottom of a small measuring cup to help smooth it all out if needed. Pre-bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and place the hot pan on a large piece of aluminum foil. The foil will wrap around the pan for the water bath in step 4. Allow crust to slightly cool as you prepare the filling.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice then beat until fully combined. On medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until just blended. After the final egg is incorporated into the batter, stop mixing. To help prevent the cheesecake from deflating and cracking as it cools, avoid over-mixing the batter as best you can. You will have close to 6 cups of batter.
• Watch my video tutorial below; the visual guide will assist you in this step. Boil a pot of water. You need 1 inch of water in your roasting pan for the water bath, so make sure you boil enough. I use an entire kettle of hot water. As the water is heating up, wrap the aluminum foil around the springform pan. Pour the cheesecake batter on top of the crust. Use a rubber spatula or spoon to smooth it into an even layer. Place the pan inside of a large roasting pan. Carefully pour the hot water inside of the pan and place in the oven. (Or you can place the roasting pan in the oven first, then pour the hot water in. Whichever is easier for you.)
• Bake cheesecake for 55-70 minutes or until the center is almost set. If you notice the cheesecake browning too quickly on top, tent it with aluminum foil halfway through baking. When it's done, the center of the cheesecake will slightly wobble if you gently shake the pan. Turn the oven off and open the oven door slightly. Let the cheesecake sit in the oven in the water bath as it cools down for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and water bath, then cool cheesecake completely uncovered at room temperature. Then cover and refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Use a knife to loosen the chilled cheesecake from the rim of the springform pan, then remove the rim. Using a clean sharp knife, cut into slices for serving. For neat slices, wipe the knife clean and dip into warm water between each slice.
• Serve cheesecake with desired toppings (see Note). Cover and store leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

CLASSIC NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the lower middle position. Wrap a 9- or 10-inch springform pan with one large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, covering the underside and extending all the way to the top so there are no seams on the bottom or sides of the pan. Repeat with another sheet of foil for insurance. Spray the inside of the pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until well combined. Press the crumbs into an even layer on the the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, until set. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Set a kettle of water to boil.
• Make the batter: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour together on medium speed until just smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to be sure the mixture is evenly combined. Add the vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt; beat on low speed until just combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated, scraping the bowl as necessary. Mix in the sour cream. Make sure the batter is uniform but do not over-mix.
• Check to make sure your oven has cooled to 325°F, then set the cheesecake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour the batter on top of the crust. Pour the boiling water into the large roasting pan to come about 1 inch up the side of the cake pan. Bake until the cake is just set, 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. (If the cheesecake starts to look too golden on top towards the end, cover it loosely with foil.) The cake should not look liquidy at all but will wobble just a bit when the pan is nudged; it will continue to cook as it cools. Carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Cool the cheesecake in the water bath until the water is just warm, about 45 minutes. Remove the springform pan from the water bath and discard the foil. If necessary, run a thin-bladed knife around the edge of the cake to make sure it's not sticking to the sides (which can cause cracks as it cools), then cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to cool for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• For serving: Remove the sides of the springform pan. Serve the cheesecake right from the base of the pan; or, to transfer it to a serving platter, run a long, thin spatula between the crust and the pan bottom, and then use two large spatulas to carefully transfer the cheesecake to a serving dish. Slice with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between slices. Serve with berry sauce, if you like.
• Make Ahead: The cheesecake can be made and stored in the springform pan in the fridge, tightly covered with plastic wrap, up to two days ahead of time.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cheesecake can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the cake in the freezer briefly, unwrapped, to firm it up. Then double-wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before you plan to eat it.
• Pro Tip: Springform pans are notorious for leaking. Since a cheesecake bakes in a water bath, the foil prevents the water from seeping in during baking. Please do not attempt to use standard 12-inch (30cm) aluminum foil - you can't have any foil seams on the bottom or sides of the pan. No matter how well (or how many times) you wrap the pan, if there are seams exposed to the water, the water will find a way in. Even when wrapped properly, you can occasionally get some condensation inside the foil. If this happens, don't worry - the crust is likely just a bit moist around the edges. Simply remove the sides of the springform pan before refrigerating and let it dry out in the refrigerator.

THE BEST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Put the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl, cover with a paper towel and melt in the microwave in 10-second increments. Brush a 9-inch springform pan with some of the melted butter.
• Stir together the remaining butter with the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan, taking care to get the crust evenly to the edges. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool. Place the pan on a large sheet of foil and wrap up the sides. Place in a roasting pan.
• For the cheesecake: Beat together the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Mix in the eggs by hand, one at a time, until just combined. (Take care not to overmix or the cheesecake will puff up and crack.) Pour the batter evenly over the crust, smoothing the top. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the foil-wrapped springform pan. Bake until the outside of the cake is set but the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan once more and unlock to unmold the cheesecake. Transfer to a serving platter or cake stand and smooth the edges with a knife.

NORTHWEST CHEESECAKE SUPREME

Steps:

• Combine crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and margarine, press onto bottom of 9-inch spring form pan.
• Bake at 325 degrees F., 10 minutes.
• Combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and flour, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.
• Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Blend in sour cream and vanilla; pour over crust.
• Bake at 450 degrees F., 10 minutes.
• Reduce temperature to 250 degrees F.; continue baking for 1 hour.
• Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan.
• Chill.
• Top with pie filling just before serving.
• VARIATION:.
• Substitute 1 1/2 cups finely chopped nuts and 2 T sugar for graham cracker crumbs and sugar.

CHEESECAKE SUPREME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Mix the graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup of the white sugar, and the melted butter together. Press mixture into the bottom of one 9 or 10 inch springform pan.
• In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, eggs and egg yolks; mix until smooth. Add the remaining 1 3/4 cups white sugar, the flour and the heavy cream. Blend until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 10 minutes, then turn oven temperature down to 200 degrees F (100 degrees C) and continue baking for 1 hour, or until filling is set. Let cheesecake cool, then refrigerate.

CHEESECAKE SUPREME

Steps:

• First, make crust.
• Preheat oven to 325F degrees.
• Combine crumbs, sugar and melted margarine in a bowl; press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes; remove from oven and turn oven temperature up to 450F.
• Now, make filling.
• Combine softened cream cheese, sugar and flour with an electric mixer at medium speed until well mixed.
• Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• At slow speed, blend in sour cream and vanilla; pour into crust.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 250F and bake for one hour more.
• Remove from oven and loosen cake from rim of pan but do not remove rim of pan until completely cool.
• Chill; top servings with pie filling if desired.

CHEESECAKE SUPREME

Steps:

• MAKE CRUST: Combine first 3 ingredients.
• Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
• Add egg yolk and vanilla.
• Blend throughly.
• Pat 1/3 of the dough on the bottom of a 9-inch spring-form pan (sides removed).
• Be sure to leave the edges clear to put the sides on later.
• Bake in 400 degree oven about 8 minutes or until golden, Cool.
• Attach sides to bottom, butter and pat remaining dough on sides to height of 1 3/4 inches.
• MAKE FILLING: Beat cream chesse until creamy.
• Add vanilla and lemon peel.
• In a separate bowl mix together sugar, flour and salt.
• Gradually blend into cheese mixture.
• Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beater after each just to blend.
• Gently stir in whipping cream.
• Pour into the crust lined pan.
• Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes; reduce heat to 300 degrees and continue baking 55 minutes.
• Remove from oven; cool.
• Loosen sides with saptula after 1/2 hour.
• Remove sides at the end of 1 hour.
• Allow to cool 2 hours longer.
• Serve plain or top with Strawberry or Pineapple Glaze.
• STRAWBERRY GLAZE: In a saucepan crush 1 cup of the berries; add the water and cook 2 minutes.
• Mix the cornstarch with the sugar (amount depends on how sweet the berries are).
• Stir into hot berry mixture.
• Bring to boiling; stirring constantly.
• Cook until thick and clear.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Place remaining strawberries on top of the cooled cheesecake.
• Pour glaze over the strawberries and chill about 2 hours.
• PINEAPPLE GLAZE: Combine sugar and cornstarch in saucepan; stir in pineapple juice and lemon peel.
• Heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to boiling.
• Cook and stir until thick and clear.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Cut canned pineapple rings in half; arrange in a spoke fashion around edge of cheesecake.
• Spoon glaze over; chill 2 hours.

ORIGINAL NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• The day before you plan to serve the cheesecake:
• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Make and bake the cake crust as directed and leave it in the pan. Keep the oven on.
• 2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment if your mixer has one, beat 1 package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch together on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl several times. Blend in the remaining cream cheese, one package at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl after each.
• 3. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat in the remaining sugar, then the vanilla. Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in the cream just until completely blended. The filling will look light, creamy, airy, and almost like billowy clouds. Be careful not to overmix! Gently spoon the batter over the crust.
• 4. Place the cake pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes halfway (about 1 inch) up the side of the springform. Bake until the edge is light golden brown, the top is light gold, and the center barely jiggles, about 1 1/4 hours. If the cake still feels soft around the edge, let it bake for 10 minutes more (the cooking time will be about the same for both the 8- and 9-inch cheesecakes). Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 2 hours (just walk away-don't move it). Then, leave the cake in the pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until completely cold before serving, preferably overnight or for at least 6 hours.
• On serving day:
• 5. Release and remove the side of the springform, leaving the cake on the bottom of the pan. Place on a cake plate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice with a sharp straight-edge knife, not a serrated one, rinsing the knife with warm water between slices. Refrigerate any leftover cake, tightly covered, and enjoy within 2 days, or wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

BEST CLASSIC CHEESECAKE

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.

BEST CRUST CHEESECAKE SUPREME

Steps:

• To prepare crust, combine flour, sugar, and lemon peel. Cut in butter until crumbly, and then add egg and vanilla. Pat just enough into the bottom of a 9" springform pan (with sides removed) to cover. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 7 minutes or until golden; cool.
• Butter the sides of the pan and attach to bottom. Pat remaining dough onto the sides of the pan to a height of 1 3/4" and set aside. Note: you may have extra dough left, and if so discard. I doubled the crust recipe because I found the original did not make enough.
• For the filling, in a large mixer bowl beat the cream cheese, lemon peel, and vanilla until fluffy. Stir together the sugar, flour and salt and then gradually stir into the cream cheese mixture. Add eggs and egg yolk all at once, beating at low speed until just combined. Stir in mulk, and pour into crust-lined pan.
• Bake in a 450 degree oven for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 and bake for 50-55 minutes more or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes, then loosen sides of cheesecake from pan with a spatula. Cool another 30 minutes and then remove sides of pan. Cool about 2 hours longer, then chill thoroughly before topping with pie filling.