Cheesecake lovers, this post is for you. Today, you will learn how to make cheesecake from scratch. Yes, I’m talking about homemade cheesecake!
In spite of its yumminess, this dessert goodness can actually be made easily. Cheesecake recipes are also very flexible – so, you can make it using different methods. As for the ingredients, simple recipes can contain as few as 3 ingredients (yes, really).
Whether you choose to make a baked cheesecake or a no bake variation, you simply can’t go wrong – as long as you know what you’re doing. And again, this article is all about cheesecakes – so, I’ve got you covered.
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Overview of Cheesecake
- What is it?
- THE TASTE
What is Cheesecake?
To put it plainly, we can say that cheesecake is a delicious, sweet dessert (and very popular, at that). It comes in a pie form, consisting of a number of layers of ingredients. The crust serves as the bottom layer and it’s typically made of crushed cookies, biscuits, or wafers.
The main and thickest layer is called the filling – this is the cream cheese part (but it’s mixed with other ingredients). As for the topping, it can be made of a variety of ingredients like sweetened fruits, fresh fruits, preserves (jams), chocolate, and much much more.
Lemon topping Cheesecake
Keep in mind that this dessert is called cheesecake, not cheese cake. So, technically, it really doesn’t claim to be a cake. By its looks and taste, we can say that it can be more appropriately called a pie. Anyway, who really cares about all that stuff, right? It’s a delicious type of dessert – and I think that’s all we really need to know to fully enjoy it.
Cheese for Cheesecake
While the most popular ingredient for cheesecake is cream cheese, different types of cheese are actually used all around the world to make this delicious recipe. I have listed some of the most popular ones below, just in case you’re curious.
Cream cheese | This is the main ingredient for cheesecakes in America and Canada and other countries as well. Having soft, smooth texture makes it an ideal filling for the recipe. For added creaminess, other types of cream can also be added to the recipe (e.g. sour cream, whipped cream, condensed milk, etc.). |
Ricotta Cheese | As a type of cheese that’s also used in lasagna recipes, Ricotta cheese is often used as the main ingredient or filling for Italian and Italian-style cheesecakes. Instead of ricotta Cheese, some substitute are recommended. |
Mascarpone Cheese | This is another type of Italian cheese and is often used interchangeably with Ricotta cheese as cheesecake filling. It’s soft and creamy – that’s why it’s a popular choice for making cheesecake. |
Neufchâtel Cheese | French cheesecakes are mostly made from Neufchâtel cheese. It’s soft, creamy, and crumbly in nature. Because if this crumbly characteristic, a gelatin mixture is often added to the recipe to achieve a good, solid form. |
Quark Cheese | German cheesecakes and European cheesecakes typically use Quark cheese. It’s a creamy and crumbly type of cheese, so gelatin can also be added to the main mixture. |
Ingredients of Cheesecake
Cheesecakes can contain a lot of ingredients, depending on the variety. However, just to give you an idea as to how simple this recipe is, I will show you the ingredients you need to make a baked no-crust cheesecake. Don’t be surprised, but you can make a basic cheesecake with just these 3 ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Condensed milk
- Eggs
Of course, cheesecake recipes that use crust layers and toppings need more ingredients – as you will see in the sample recipes that are included in this post. In this section, I simply showed you how simple cheesecake-making really is. Yes, you can already tell yourself that you can easily make a homemade cheesecake right after reading this article.
Compared to Other Cakes
If you are not new to baking cakes, you already know that one of the main ingredients in baking cakes is flour. Well, cheesecakes really don’t use flour because its main ingredient is cream cheese. While there are some recipes that make use of flour, it’s very minimal.
So again, cheesecakes are very much different from cakes – especially in form and texture. Cakes are generally spongy while cheesecakes are smooth and creamy. The only real similarity they have is that they’re both delicious!
Ways to Cook Cheesecake
Note that there are 2 basic types of cheesecake:
- Baked Cheesecake
- No Bake Cheesecake
I am going to discuss both in detail below. Please note that both recipes have 3 major sections:
- Making the crust
- Making the filling
- Making the topping
How to Make Baked Cheesecake?
Making The Crust
To make the crust, here are the typical ingredients:
- Crushed crackers/ cookies/ wafers
- Sugar
- Butter
To make the crust, follow these steps:
How to Make Baked Cheesecake Make the Crust via Wikihow
STEP 1 | Crush the crackers/ cookies/ wafers in the blender, or manually crush them by using a rolling pin. |
STEP 2 | Combine the crushed crackers/ cookies/ wafers, butter and sugar. If you’re using an electric mixer or food processor, you can just throw everything in there to mix and combine the ingredients easily. You also have the option of combining the ingredients by hand (just make sure everything is mixed and combined well). |
STEP 3 | Press the crust into the baking pan. You can use your fingers to form and flatten the crust mixture onto the bottom and sides of a pan. You can also use a spoon or drinking glass for this purpose. |
STEP 4 | Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. |
STEP 5 | Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until cooked. Then remove it from the oven and set it aside. |
Making The Filling
To make the filling, these ingredients are usually used:
- Cream cheese
- Sugar/ condensed milk
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Sour cream
- Whipping cream
To make the filling, follow the steps below:
How to Make Baked Cheesecake Make the filling via Wikihow
STEP 1 | After baking the crust, reduce the oven heat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. |
STEP 2 | Beat the cream cheese using hand mixer or stand mixer. |
STEP 3 | Add in the sour cream, heavy cream, eggs, sugar, salt and mix until creamy, smooth, and fluffy. |
STEP 4 | Pour the filling mixture into the baking pan (over the baked crust). |
STEP 5 | Bake using water bath method for about 1 ½ hours. Or bake the conventional way for about 45 minutes. |
STEP 6 | Allow the cake to cool off and set. |
STEP 7 | Cover the cheesecake with aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator. |
STEP 8 | Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours before serving. |
Making The Topping
To make the topping, you can use fresh fruits and other ingredients like these:
- Raspberries/ strawberries/ blueberries, chocolates, etc.
- Sugar
- Water
Follow the steps below to create the topping:
STEP 1 | Get a saucepan and turn on the heat to medium. |
STEP 2 | Put the raspberries, water and sugar into the pan. |
STEP 3 | Cook and stir until the mixture turns into a thick sauce with chunky bits of raspberries. |
STEP 4 | Remove from the pan and allow to cool. |
STEP 5 | Serve by drizzling the topping on each slice of cheesecake. |
How to Make a No Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients
The typical ingredients to a no bake cheesecake crust are the following:
- Crushed biscuits
- Butter
- Sugar
Making The Crust
To make the crust, follow these steps:
STEP 1 | Crush the biscuits and combine with butter and sugar. Mix well. |
STEP 2 | Spread and press crust mixture onto the base and sides of a baking pan. |
STEP 3 | Place the baking pan with crust mixture in the refrigerator to get firm. |
Making The Filling
For the filling, these ingredients are usually used:
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Water
- Gelatin
- Cream (whipped cream or sour cream)
Cream cheese and whipped topping no-bake cheesecake via Wikihow
To make the filling, follow the steps below:
STEP 1 | Get a mixing bowl and combine the cream cheese and sugar. |
STEP 2 | Boil some water and pour in the gelatin mixture. Keep stirring in low heat until gelatin powder is completely dissolved. |
STEP 3 | Add the cream cheese mixture into the gelatin water |
STEP 4 | Allow to boil for a few minutes. |
STEP 5 | Pour the mixture into the baking pan with ready crust. |
STEP 6 | Allow to cool. |
STEP 7 | Place the cheesecake in the refrigerator to set. |
Nutella No Bake Cheesecake via Wikihow
Making The Topping
Lastly, for the topping, this recipe only requires this:
- Fresh strawberries or your favorite fruit.
This particular recipe has a very simple topping. The steps below make for the finishing touches for this no bake cheesecake:
STEP 1 | Slice strawberries into halves. |
STEP 2 | Arrange the strawberry topping by placing sliced pieces of strawberries along the edges of the cheesecake. |
STEP 3 | Serve. |
Cheesecake Variations
Cheesecakes can be prepared using different methods, styles, and cooking devices. And so, for this section, you will learn about the following:
- The Water Bath Method
- New York Method Cheesecake
- How to Make Cheesecake in the Slow Cooker
- How to Make Cheesecake in the Instant Pot
The Water Bath Method
In the section above on how to make baked cheesecake, the water bath method can be used as an option. It really is a baking technique that can be used for making cakes, but some cheesecake recipes include this method as one of the steps. Basically, it’s just a simple method of placing a pan of water in the oven while baking.
Before going through the steps involved in Water Bath method, let’s look at the 2 advantages of using this technique:
- Having a pan of water inside the oven provides for a moist environment in an otherwise dry setting. High temperature and too much concentrated heat can cause your cheesecake to crack – and that would make for a less-than-perfect cheesecake.
- With a pan of water in the oven, your cheesecake will cook from indirect heat. Direct heat can cause overcooking – and that won’t result in a perfectly-made cheesecake.
In this example, water bath is used on a springform pan as it’s the most suitable baking pan for making cheesecakes. Since springform pans are known to leak, however, securing it with a layer of aluminum foil is a must.
Here are the steps to making cheesecakes using the water bath method:
STEP 1 | Secure the bottom and sides of the springform pan by using aluminum foil to seal and wrap the bottom and edges. |
STEP 2 | Get a baking pan that is large enough to hold your chosen springform pan for your cheesecake. It should also have ample space to accommodate the water that will surround the springform pan. |
STEP 3 | Prepare your cheesecake by following the steps in your particular recipe. |
STEP 4 | Pour the filling inside the springform pan.  HOW TO BAKE CHEESECAKE USING A WATER BATH via A Family Fest |
STEP 5 | Place the springform pan inside the baking pan that you’re going to use for the water bath. |
STEP 6 | Pour hot water into the baking pan (about 1 inch high). |
STEP 7 | Bake the cheesecake according to the instructions in the recipe.  HOW TO BAKE CHEESECAKE USING A WATER BATH 2 via A Family Fest |
New York Method
By this time, you already know how to bake a cheesecake, right? When making a cheesecake using the New York method approach, you need all your previous knowledge on how to make cheesecake while incorporating some New York cheesecake techniques.
For starters, know that an authentic New York cheesecake carries these characteristics:
- Rich
- Creamy
- Delicious
A perfect New York cheesecake can be achieved through the following:
- Slow cooking at a low temperature.
- Using the right ingredients.
- Performing the proper baking techniques.
Newyork Cheesecake Via Cook Diary
To ensure slow cooking at a low temperature, you can use the water bath method when baking your New York cheesecake. However, there’s another option as you can see below.
| Slow Cooking at a Low Temperature | |
|---|---|
STEP 1 | Bake the cheesecake for 10 minutes at 500 degrees Fahrenheit. |
STEP 2 | Turn down the heat to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and continue cooking for about 1 ½ hours. |
STEP 3 | Turn off heat even if the center of the cheesecake is still loose and wobbly. |
STEP 4 | Allow the cheesecake to cool off in the oven by opening the oven door during the cooling process. (note that the cheesecake is still cooking and setting at this point) |
Using the Right Ingredients
The right ingredients in making a New York cheesecake are as follows:
- Cream cheese (other variations use Neufchatel, Mascarpone, Fromage blanc, Cottage cheese )
- Eggs
- Sour cream
- White sugar (granulated)
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Cookie crumb crust
Special notes:
- Don’t use low fat ingredients.
- Don’t skimp on cheap, low quality ingredients.
- All ingredients should be kept at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour before making the recipe.
New York cheesecake via Food to love
Performing the Proper Baking Techniques
There are special baking techniques involved in making a New York style cheesecake. Keep these things in mind to achieve the perfect result every time you make one.
- Use a springform pan as it’s the best container for making a perfectly formed cheesecake.
- New York cheesecake only requires light beating. Therefore, don’t overbeat the cream cheese – as soon as the mixture becomes fluffy, you can proceed to the next step.
- Eggs are used in baking a cheesecake. Make sure that you add one egg at a time when mixing this ingredient to the cream cheese mixture.
- When ready, the filling mixture should be poured in a chilled cookie crust (the crust is done first).Once cooked, cool the cheesecake uncovered.The topping should only be added 1 or 2 hours before serving the cheesecake.
Making Cheesecake in the Slow Cooker
Cooking in a slow cooker is also one of your options when making a cheesecake. Since the cooking process is slow, the final result will be smooth, creamy, and silky cheesecake. Of course, you can always make a flavored cheesecake or one with topping. In the example that I’m about to give you, the recipe uses cinnamon and vanilla for flavoring.
What you will need:
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Eggs
- Crushed Graham crackers
- Sugar
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Chocolate (chopped)
- Peanut butter cups
- Almonds (toasted and sliced)
Very Vanilla Slow Cooker-Cheesecake Via Taste of home
Here are the steps to cooking cheesecake in a slow cooker using the ingredients listed above:
STEP 1 | Grease a springform pan. Wrap it with aluminum foil to prevent leaks. |
STEP 2 | Pour water into the slow cooker. |
STEP 3 | Roll 2 layers of foil, form this into a circle and position it inside the slow cooker. This will serve as the rack for the springform pan. |
STEP 4 | Make the crust by combining crushed crackers, sugar, cinnamon, and butter. |
STEP 5 | Prepare the filling by mixing together the cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs. Beat and mix at low speed. |
STEP 6 | Pour the filling into the springform pan and position it in the slow cooker. |
STEP 7 | Close the slow cooker’s lid and cook the cheesecake for about 2 hours. |
STEP 8 | Turn off the slow cooker, but keep the lid close. Let the cheesecake cook thoroughly and set properly. |
STEP 9 | Remove the springform pan from the slow cooker and let the cheesecake cool on the counter. |
STEP 10 | Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and refrigerate (covered). |
STEP 11 | Add the topping when the cheesecake is already cool. |
Making Cheesecake in the Instant Pot
If you have an Instant Pot, you can use it to cook cheesecake – almost like an oven. Since this modern version of pressure cooker is faster and more efficient than older versions, you can make your cheesecake faster and easier as well.
Basically, the methods for making cheesecake in the Instant Pot is very similar to the other ways of making this recipe. The procedures are broken down into the following:
- Making the crust
- Making the cheesecake filling
- Using the Instant Pot pressure cooker to make the cheesecake
- Finishing, topping and serving the cheesecake
To explain the procedures involved in cooking cheesecake in the Instant Pot, I will give you a sample recipe. For this particular recipe, the following ingredients are needed:
- Crushed Graham crackers
- Butter
- Sea salt
- Sugar
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla extract
Making the Crust
STEP 1 | Combine the crushed Graham crackers, sea salt, sugar, and butter. |
STEP 2 | Form the crust by pressing the mixture onto the bottom and sides of a baking pan. |
STEP 3 | Put the pan and crust mixture in the freezer to allow it to form firmly. |
STEP 4 | While waiting for the crust to set, prepare the cheesecake filling. |
Making the Cheesecake Filling
STEP 1 | Combine the corn starch, sea salt and sugar. Set the mixture aside. |
STEP 2 | Beat the cream cheese for about a minute until fluffy. |
STEP 3 | Slowly add in the sugar mixture you set aside (in step 1). |
STEP 4 | Add in the sour cream and vanilla extract to the mixture and continue beating. |
STEP 5 | Add in the eggs (1 egg at a time). |
STEP 6 | Pour the mixture in the crusted baking pan |
Using the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker to Make the Cheesecake
STEP 1 | Pour water in the Instant Pot. |
STEP 2 | Place a rack inside the Instant Pot (the cheesecake should be elevated above the water). |
STEP 3 | Position the cheesecake pan on top of the rack and close the lid. |
STEP 4 | Cook in High pressure for about 25 minutes. |
Finishing, Topping and Serving the Cheesecake
STEP 1 | When cooked, open the Instant Pot’s lid slowly (be careful, as hot steam will escape). |
STEP 2 | Allow the cheesecake to cool and remove from the baking pan. |
STEP 3 | Chill before serving. |
Tips and Tricks
How to Buy Cheese for Cheesecake
The ingredients for making a cheesecake are really easy to buy. Just go to the grocery store and you will surely find everything there. If you are particularly concerned about the cream cheese ingredient, our friends from the DigitalSpy.com forum recommend these:
- Philadelphia cream cheese
- Mascarpone cream cheese
- Quark cream cheese.
The above-mentioned brands of cream cheese have been tried and tested by many – and cheesecake recipes always turn out delicious and tasty with these as the main ingredient. Of course, you can also use and experiment with other brands – who knows, you might be able to discover something good (do share with us, if you do).
How to Freeze Cheesecake
Freezing cheesecake is a good way of preserving its quality and extending its life. When frozen properly, cheesecakes can actually stay fresh for several months. However, according to the experts at Leaf.tv, you must follow the rules listed below:
- Rule #1 – If you’re planning on freezing your homemade cheesecake, do the recipe without putting on any toppings and decorations yet (this can be done when the cheesecake is thawed and ready to be serve).
- Rule #2 – Make sure that the newly baked cheesecake has totally cooled off before putting it in the freezer.
- Rule #3 – For proper storage, wrap the freshly made cheesecake in an aluminum foil and put it in a freezer bag.
- Rule #4 – Thaw the cheesecake by transferring it to the refrigerator overnight (for serving the next day).
How to Keep Cheesecake from Cracking
Mainly for the sake of appearances, it’s good if you know how to make a cheesecake without cracks. The experts from WikiHow.com have the following suggestions on how to prevent cheesecakes from cracking (applicable to baked cheesecakes only):
- Grease the sides of the baking pan using cooking spray or butter. Keep in mind that cheesecakes shrink as they start to cook – and sticking to the sides will result in having cracks on the surfaces.
- Don’t overmix. Remember to stop mixing as soon as the batter is already smooth and creamy. Long, continuous mixing will encourage the formation of air bubbles – and these will escape while cooking and cause cracks.
- Consider adding cornstarch to your cheesecake recipe. This ingredient somehow prevents shrinking, and there will be less chances for the cheesecake to have cracks.
- Add the egg ingredients into the batter mixture last. The presence of eggs results in more trapped air bubbles – and you want to avoid this.
- Use the water bath method. Baking using the water bath method adds moisture to an otherwise dry environment (this can cause cracks). Likewise, a very hot temperature can also result in cracks – and having a pan of water inside the oven will prevent the atmosphere in the oven from getting too hot.
- Don’t bake at a very high temperature setting. Baking at a very hot temperature can cause cracks. The recommended temperature for baking cheesecakes is 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Do not overbake. Overcooked cheesecakes are very prone to drying and cracking.
- Let the cheesecake cool slowly. After taking the cheesecake out of the oven, let it rest on the counter to cool off. Don’t immediately place it in the refrigerator as exposure to sudden changes of temperature can also cause cracks.
How to Have a Smooth Cheesecake Filling
The cream cheese batter, which is made up of different ingredients (especially if it’s a baked recipe) is the cheesecake filling itself. And yes, it’s the main layer in this delicious dessert – that’s why it’s the most important as well.
Expert bakers at TheKitchn.com tell us to whisk, whip and beat until the batter is satiny smooth.
Our friends from KraftRecipes.com on the other hand, say that it’s a must for the cream cheese to be at room temperature before using it. Allowing it to sit at room temperature for about an hour will ensure smoother, lump-free batter.
How to Store Cheesecake
Cheesecake is highly perishable, that’s why you shouldn’t just leave it on the counter (at room temperature). Most people also like their cheesecakes chilled and cold – so, you really need to store it in the refrigerator all the time. Leaf.tv has the following tips to share with us when storing cheesecakes:
- If you’ve just finished baking a cheesecake, don’t immediately put it inside the fridge. The cheesecake must not be hot when you do this – so, allow it to cool off at room temperature for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- You can place a warm, freshly baked cheesecake in the refrigerator – but you must keep it uncovered for about 2 hours. After this, you can cover it.
- The best way to store cheesecake is to put it in a sealed container.
- Keep the cheesecake in the refrigerator if you’re not going to serve it yet.
- Always return uneaten portions of the cheesecake back into the refrigerator to retain its freshness and quality.
How to Make Low Carb Cheese Cake
If you are concerned about the amount of carbohydrates in cheesecakes – well, you’ll be glad to know that it’s already a low-carb dessert in itself. According to the experts at LowCarbLab.com, the main ingredients in a cheesecake (cream cheese and eggs) are low in carbs. However, keep the following points in mind:
- Cheesecake recipes require the use of sugar, which is a source of carbohydrates. Therefore, monitor the amount of sugar in your recipes. Note that a teaspoon of sugar has around 4 grams of carbs, a tablespoon has about 12 grams of carbs, and a cup of sugar has almost 200 grams of carbohydrates.
- Also, if you want to cut down on carbs on your cheesecake, consider using fresh fruits as toppings instead of sweet ingredients that use sugar (such as jams and chocolates).
How to Choose the Best Toppings for Cheesecake
You can use different types of toppings for your homemade cheesecakes. My favorite topping has always been blueberries, but anything sweet (whether fresh or preserved) would be good. The following toppings are suggested by TheDailyMeal.com:
- Chocolate sauce – Just heat cream and add the hot mixture to a bowl of chocolate chips and you already have yummy chocolate sauce for your cheesecake.
- Berry sauce – You can sprinkle sugar on fresh berries to create a delicious, sweet sauce. You can use a food processor for making this sauce or you can manually do it by using a fork (to crush the strawberries).
- Peanut Butter Sauce – To make peanut butter sauce topping for your cheesecake, simply heat peanut butter and some honey in the microwave.
Good Substitute for Cream Cheese
A lot of people have suggestions at Quora.com as to what would make for good substitutes for cream cheese when making cheesecake. Here are just some of them:
- Neufchatel cheese
- Mascarpone cheese
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Ricotta cheese ( freeze it to keep it fresh and extend its life)
- Plain Greek yogurt combined with Ricotta cheese
- Cottage cheese combined with half-and-half (or cream) and a little butter
7 Common Mistakes When Making Cheesecake
Mistake #1 – Not Making a Good Crust
Mistake #2 – Neglecting the Room Temperature Rule
Mistake #3 – Hand Mixing Instead of Using an Electric Mixer
Mistake #4 – Using Too Many Eggs
Mistake #5 – Overbaking
Mistake #6 – Using Baked Crust Recipe for No Bake Filling Recipe
Mistake #7 – Freezing to Chill
Experts’ Advices
How to Make Mini Cheesecakes
You can make mini cheesecakes if you want this baked goodness served in single-sized portions. According to an article at WikiHow.com, all you need to do is follow the recipe you typically use – but instead of using 1 large baking pan, use a muffin pan.
Opening Oven Door While Baking?
Our friends at TheSpruce.com advice against opening the oven door while in the process of baking a cheesecake. The reason for this is that the sudden change of temperature (as heat will escape as soon as you open the oven door) will cause the cheesecake to crack.
Damage Control for Cheesecakes
Just in case your cheesecake recipe didn’t turn out as expected, don’t lose hope. The expert cooks at TheSpruce.com have these to say about damage control:
- Don’t weep over cracked cheesecakes – the cracks can always be covered with toppings and decorations.
- If the filling is lumpy, you probably made the mistake of not mixing long enough or not using the ingredients at room temperature. Let this be a lesson – learn from it and do better next time.
- If you forgot to grease the pan and then find it hard to remove the cheesecake, just learn from the mistake and move on. You can still appreciate the delicious taste of your cheesecake even if it’s all broken and disarranged.
Top 10 Recipes with Cheesecake
Top 1 - Cream Cheese and Whipped Topping No Bake Cheesecake
Cream cheese and whipped topping no-bake cheesecake via Wikihow
This is a simple recipe that’s oh-so-delicious. It only requires the following ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Whipped cream
- Sugar
- Crushed graham crackers
Top 2 – No Bake Lemon Cheesecake
No Bake Lemon Cheesecake via 365days of baking and more
This no bake recipe is again very easy to prepare, mainly because of its simplicity. The combination of cream cheese and lemon gives this recipe a delightful twist.
To give you an idea, look at the ingredients needed for this yummy dessert:
- Cream cheese
- Lemon gelatin powder mix
- Fresh lemon juice
- Boiling water
- Cold water
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cool whip
- Crushed Graham crackers
- Butter
Top 3 – Pumpkin Cheesecake
Here’s a Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake version from Todd Wilbur. It makes use of canned pumpkin plus other easy-to-find ingredients such as the following:
Pumpkin Cheesecake via Food
- Crushed Graham crackers
- Butter
- Sugar
- Cream cheese
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Ground cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Whipped cream
Served with whipped cream, this cheesecake is truly creamy and yummy as well.
Top 4 – Oreo Cheesecake
We all love Oreo cookies. Surely, we’ll all love baked Oreo cheesecakes, too, right? If you haven’t tried it yet, the ingredients listed below will give you an idea as to how delicious it is.
Oreo Cheesecake via Wikihow
- Philadelphia cream cheese
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Whipping cream
- Oreo cookies
Don’t forget to be generous with Oreo cookies when you make this recipe.
Top 5 – Condensed Milk No Bake Cheesecake
Here’s another easy to make no bake recipe, and even the ingredients are simple and few. All you need for the filling are the following:
Condensed Milk No Bake Cheesecake via Wikihow
- Cream cheese
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Fresh lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
You can add your own twist to this basic cheesecake recipe. Topping it with whipped cream and fresh berries would really make for a wonderful dessert.
Top 6 - Nutella No Bake Cheesecake
This cheesecake recipe will surely delight Nutella lovers. It’s also a very simple no bake recipe – in fact, making the filling only needs the following ingredients:
Nutella No Bake Cheesecake via Wikihow
- Cream cheese
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Sour cream
- Nutella spread
- Cool whip
After making this cheesecake recipe, you will love Nutella even more.
Top 7 – New York Cheesecake
We can’t have a cheesecake Top 20 list without New York cheesecake, right? For this special New York style cheesecake, you need the following ingredients:
New York cheesecake via BBC
- Digestive biscuits
- Butter
- Full-fat cream cheese
- Sugar
- Sour cream
- Flour
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
This recipe is a baked cheesecake – and since it’s New York style, make sure that you follow all the ingredients and all the steps to the dot.
Top 8 – Strawberry Cheesecake
Here’s another baked cheesecake recipe. If you’re one of those people who prefer baked cheesecake than no bake cheesecake, this one will surely be a winner.
Here are some of the ingredients you need to make this variety of cheesecake:
Strawberry Cheesecake via Woman and Home
- Graham crackers
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Frozen strawberries
- Cream cheese
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Eggs
- Corn starch
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
This recipe makes for a pretty looking cheesecake. And needless to say, it’s yumm-o!
Top 9 – Chocolate No Bake Cheesecake
Since no bake cheesecake contains fewer calories and lesser fat than baked cheesecake, you might want to indulge a little in this no bake chocolate cheesecake. Here are some of the ingredients that you need:
Chocolate No Bake Cheesecake via Wikihow
- Dark chocolate chips
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Butter
- Whipped topping
This recipe is really easy to do, and you can satisfy your chocolate cravings in just a few hours (it’s best served chill, you know).
Top 10 – No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
Here’s another no bake cheesecake recipe that you will surely love making again and again. The main filling calls for the following ingredients:
No Bake Cherry Cheesecake via TopInspired
- Philadelphia cream cheese
- Sugar
- Whipped topping
- Cherries (canned)
Since this is a no bake cheesecake recipe, you wouldn’t need to wait long hours for it to set. Just 3 hours in the refrigerator is enough to enjoy this delicious dessert.
Nutrition Facts of Cheesecake
Cheesecake Nutrition Profile
Let’s look at the nutrition profile of a slice of cheesecake.
- Calories – 257
- Fat – 18 grams
- Sugar – 18 grams
- Protein – 4 grams
- Carbohydrates – 10 grams
You will also benefit from the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin A
- Selenium
- Riboflavin
- Phosphorus
- Calcium
- Iron
Cheesecake Health Benefits
Yes, eating this delicious dessert can also be beneficial to one’s health. Just consider the points listed below.
Let us find out how it would be for us!
- Cheesecakes contain less sugar compared to regular cakes.
- Cheesecakes carry less carbs than regular cakes.
- Eating cheese (different varieties) in moderation is good for your overall health.
- The calcium content in cheesecakes is good for your teeth and bones.
Health Concerns
One should always consider his or her health when eating food. In the case of eating cheesecakes, in particular, please remember the following:
- When eating cheesecakes, take note of the fact that it’s quite high in sugar, fat, and calories. Large consumption of sugar can cause diabetes and other diseases. Also, too much fat in the system can cause your cholesterol level to increase. High calorie foods, on the other hand, can cause weight-gain.
- You can make homemade versions of a low-fat cheesecake. Simply replace some of the ingredients with low-fat substitutes (e.g. low-fat cream cheese, plain 0% fat Greek yogurt, etc.).
- You can increase the nutritional value of cheesecakes by using fresh fruits for toppings (e.g. strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, etc.).
- There are vegan recipes for cheesecakes wherein some of the possible ingredients are as follows:
- vegan cream cheeses
- ilken tofu
- vegan sour cream
- soy creamer
FAQ
Can You Freeze Cheesecake?
How long Does Cheesecake Last?
How to Know When Cheesecake is Done?
How Long to Bake Cheesecake?
Does Cheesecake Need to Be Refrigerated?
How to Cut Cheesecake?
How to Tell if Cheesecake is Spoiled?
Conclusion: Enjoy Eating Cheesecakes in Moderation
There’s no doubt about it – cheesecakes make for delicious desserts. In my opinion, as long as you eat this yummy goodness in moderation, you’ll be fine (unless you have a special medical condition).
I will be waiting for your feedback in the comment section below. Also, if you have other cheesecake recipes to share, I’ll be glad to see it. And don’t forget to share this post, ok?
Resources and Further Reading
- What is Cheesecake by Wikipedia.com
- Cheesecake Recipe Ideas by Delish.com
- How to Bake a Simple Cheesecake by WikiHow.com
- Baking Cheesecake Step by Step by AllRecipes.com
- How to Bake Using a Water Bath by AFamilyFeast.com
- New York Method of Baking Cheesecake by OurEveryDayLife.com
- How to Make Cheesecake in Instant Pot by PressureCookRecipes.com
- How to Keep Cheesecake from Cracking by WikiHow.com
- Common Mistakes When Baking Cheesecakes by BonAppetit.com
- Mistakes to Avoid When Making No Bake Cheesecake by TheKitchn.com
- The Perfect Cheesecake Tips and Tricks by TheKitchn.com
- Tips for Making Cheesecake by TheSpruce.com
- How to Make Cream Cheese by BiggerBolderBaking.com
- Fat Content of Cheesecake by HealhtyEating.SFGate.com
- How Many Calories in a Slice of Cheesecake by LiveStrong.com
- Health Benefits of Cheese by FoxNews.com
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