New York Style Cheesecake
This time last year, I made this very same cheesecake for my daughters’ 6th birthday. Everyone LoVeD it and the whole thing was pretty much gobbled up, except for two pieces that I had as my lunch the next day. But after I pulled this beautifully rustic looking cheesecake out from the oven, I instantly felt guilt and regret for not taking the step-by-steps to post on SS. However I did shared the recipe with all of you here, but I promised myself that the next time I was to make this dessert I’d be sure to photograph the process.
Well,*sniff* my baby turned seven last Thursday, and over the weekend we threw her a family party. And again, like last year, she requested the same cheesecake {that’s my girl!}. She didn’t have to ask me twice. I was on it! Bingo-bango.
Making cheesecake really doesn’t have to be hard work, you know. The reason why I love this cheesecake recipe in particular is because you don’t have to bother wrapping the bottom of the pan in foil and placing it in a water-bath, and freak out the entire time it’s baking, praying water didn’t leak into the cake. Instead you just pop it in a 350 degree oven and it comes out looking rustic, cracked and glorious… as a cheesecake should, in my opinion.
As for the party… it went off without a hitch. Minus the part where my coffee pot over flowed onto the ground and then there was the part when my dog was sprayed by a skunk in the middle of the dang party, but even so, I think my family had a pretty darn good {slightly smelly} time. :/
I know, I know… you’re totally spying those 4 bricks of cream cheese. Don’t worry… it’s totally worth it!
Heavily butter a 9 inch spring form pan.
Open a package of graham crackers, all you need is 7 or 8.
Place them in a food processor and blitz away. This is why I love having a mini-processor. No sense dragging out the “monster” when I have this tiny thing. You could of course place the crackers in a zip-lock baggie and bash them with a rolling pin. Whichever method floats your boat will be fine.
Afterwards they should look like… graham.cracker.crumbs? Sorry, I can’t think of a better analogy.
Add in the melted butter.
Stir until the crumbs are moist but not soaked. If they seem on the dry side, just add more butter.
Pour them into your prepared pan.
And stamp them out with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup.
Build up the sides and press those against the pan as well. Set aside and move on to the cheesecake filling.
Dump in the four, yes FOUR packages of cream cheese. You hate me, I feel it. It’s okay.
Add in the sugar.
While the mixer is running on low add in the whole milk. Blend on low for a few.
And don’t EVEN bother trying to make this cheesecake “light”… I’m not sure it’s even possible.
Add each egg one at a time.
Mix well after each egg.
Add in the cup of sour cream…
Vanilla…
Add sift in the quarter cup of flour, blend until completely combined.
Scrape down the sides one last time.
And pour the filling into the graham cracker crust.
Smoooooooooth it out and lick the spatula. Seriously, it’s part of the recipe. Do it.
Now just place the cheesecake in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for one hour. When the time is up, turn off the oven and let it sit in there, with the door closed, for 5-6 hours {or what feels like eternity!}. It needs time to deflate and slowly cool. After the five hours are up, remove and just place it in the fridge until completely cooled and ready to eat!
I’m serious when I tell you this is the BEST cheesecake evah!
It’s not just another pretty cheesecake…
It’s a phenomenal tasting, thigh clinging, solve-all-your-problems-with-just-one-bite kind of cheesecake! {Just imagine what will happen if you have two pieces like I did! Oh MAN!}
So whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary or just because you need some extra calories in your life… make this A.S.A.P! You’ll get high-fives and compliments that will make you feel like a total rock star!
So, do I even need to say that my daughter loved her cake {again}? Or can you tell by the picture?… Actually, you know what this picture is saying? It’s saying…
“You could totally wait for a fork… but why bother? That’s what hands are for.”
Enjoy!
New York Style Cheesecake
Yield: one 9 inch cheesecake
Ingredients:
FOR THE CRUST
7-8 whole Graham Crackers
3 tablespoons Butter, melted
FOR THE FILLING
4 {8oz.} packages of Cream Cheese
1 1/2 cups of White Sugar
3/4 cup Whole Milk
4 whole Eggs
1 cup Sour Cream
1 tablespoon Real Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup All Purpose Flour, sifted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously butter a 9-inch spring-form pan.
In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs {I used my food processor to make the crumbs} with melted butter, press onto the bottom of the pan using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup.
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time {mixing just enough until incorporated}. Lastly, add in the sour cream, vanilla, sifted flour and mix until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours. Remove and place the cheesecake into your fridge until completely cooled before serving.
Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours! (
i absolutely love the edge on that cheesecake…so much character! and it would make for a very happy day indeed if i was eating that
Just found your blog…stunning!!!!!
You're absolutely right Heather! This would make the worst day turn wonderful, in a single bite!
Thank you Kath!
I love the look of it, and it will be on the menu for our next birthday party. Thanks for sharing (again).
Cant believe I haven't been to your blog before – but what a great post to first visit with. Your daughter has great taste asking for a birthday cheesecake! I hope my little boy does that too one day (still working on getting teeth).
This cheesecake looks fantastic!
Glad you stopped by Chris!
I might die now.
Like, I really might die.
Oh my, just look at how beautiful it is! A complete success!
Happy birthday to your kiddo! Lucky her to have been given this lovely cheesecake to celebrate.
It does look amazing and I know I would have enjoyed a slice-yum!
Great post.
That looks absolutely delicious! Could we possibly add some lemon zest to the filling mixture? What have you done to me, Laurie? Haha, now I think I can *slightly* modify recipes. Love, love, love it. That picture of your daughter is perfect…I mean honestly, who needs forks? Not I, that is for sure. Have a great week! Thanks for posting this!
What a cutie first off…
This cheesecake looks to die for!! WOW
wow…i am drooling over here..
I love NY cheesecake! I always use the "leave it in the oven for hours" methed too. Right before my daughter's 5th birthday party was to begin, our dog got sprayed by a skunk and ran through the house. It does make the day EXTRA-memorable (and smelly)!
So creamy! And I love that this cake can be eaten with your hands
What a gorgeous cheesecake! Simple & elegant. Lovely job!
This looks delicious, fabulous job! Haha your graham cracker crust looks SOO much better than mine, I can never get mine looking right
I would have loved to have this amazing cheesecake on my birthday!
Nothing tops a classic New York style cheesecake. Noting. Winning ;D
Every cheesecake I fall in love with has sour cream in it. I'm thinking that has to be the secret ingredient! And, 4 packages of cream cheese is totally worth it! I mean, hello? You're making cheesecake!
This cheesecake looks amazing and seem so easy to make! I have to make this soon!
That cheesecake looks perfect!!!! Forks are totally overrated and sometimes things are best eaten with your hands.
WOW!!! This is some cheesecake girl!! I have never been a cheesecake fan, but this looks to die for!! Great pics!
xxoo
Looks amazing, Laurie! I would love to try this on my church family, I would need to multiply the recipe x12!
Oh gosh you guys! Thanks for all the love! After working my shift at the hospital, it's so nice coming home and reading your comments! Thanks a bunch! Xo
Looks perfect!!! So delicious!
Oooo perfect timing! I'm embarrassed to admit that I tried the Jello Temptations "cheesecake" last night. I say "cheesecake", because a bite or two in I looked at my husband and said "This is not like cheesecake." So ever since, I've been thinking about real cheese cake. Thanks for posting!
Happy Birthday to your little girl! What an amazing looking cheesecake! Sounds like you have a life long birthday tradition starting.
Beautiful cheesecake. When you said something about it being on your thighs, it reminded me of a day when my daughter and I were talking about making all kinds of cheesecakes. We were thinking up catchy names for them like "Heaven on My Thighs Chocolate Cheesecake" and "You Wear it Well Dulche De Leche Cheesecake".
What an adorable little girl. I can tell she agrees that it is very good.
New York Cheesecake is super!
Mine is in the oven right now. Wish me luck! And thanks for the recipe. I love your site.
Good Luck!!
Simply the best New York Cheesecake I have ever made! Love the rustic look! Thanks for sharing.
Yay Andrea! I love it too! The only time you can say… that "crack" is cool! ha!
I'm going to make this for easter and I was wondering if you could use cherry or raspberry pie filling to top the cheesecake. Thanks!
Of course! Enjoy!
I'm the one who just posted above- AND OH MY GOSH THE CHEESECAKE WAS 2 DIE FOR!!! I'm 13 and I find so much inspiration from you. It was my first time making cheesecake and I got so much compliments from the people at our Easter party. Thank you so so so much! And I hope you had a good Easter!
I did thank you! So happy to hear that this was a hit for you!