This better-than-the-bakery cheesecake recipe is rich and creamy – with a classic graham cracker crust. You can store this make-ahead cheesecake recipe in the springform pan and pop it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add a swirl of whipped cream on top right before serving the cheesecake!
Best Cheesecake Recipe
Few things in life are better than sinking your fork into a slice of cheesecake! From the crunchy graham cracker crust to the silky smooth cream cheese filling… this seemingly fancy dessert is pure perfection! And actually quite easy to make at home.
And did I mention it’s the ultimate holiday dessert? Because you can make it days – or even months – in advance. Which is a good thing because although it’s an easy dessert, it’s definitely a time consuming one.
So be sure to read all of my tips and tricks for saving you time and money!
Better than The Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake?
Have you ever wondered: how are Cheesecake Factory Cheesecakes baked? You’re definitely not the only one pondering that question! I worked there for over 5 years as waitress, serving dessert to thousands of cheesecake lovers. And during that time, people asked me that exact question over and over again.
I probably consumed over 1 million calories taste-testing my way to the answer! I’d take a slice or two home almost every night… sometimes even more! And quickly it became my life mission became to learn how to bake next level cheesecakes. And after years of research, I finally created the perfect cheesecake recipe.
The Best Cream Cheese?
The most important ingredient in this cheesecake recipe is cream cheese! But with dozens of cream cheese options at the grocery store, it can be hard to know which variety works best, right? Well, I can tell you that after baking HUNDREDS of cheesecakes, the best cream cheese is brick-style cream cheese. I love Philadelphia brand, but use your favorite brand.
Just be sure your cream cheese is:
- Brick-Style
- Plain (Unflavored)
- Full-Fat
- And Room Temperature (before you begin baking)
Key Cheesecake Ingredients
Did you know you can make the best cheesecake with just 7 simple ingredients? Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cream Cheese: Our number one ingredient, so be sure to read all my cream cheese tips above. And do not attempt to make this without cream cheese.
- Granulated Sugar: I don’t suggest reducing the amount of sugar in this recipe. Or using an alternative sweeteners, not even brown sugar.
- Eggs: Be sure to use large eggs, and bring them to room temperature before use. You’ll use both whole eggs and egg yolks. You can save the egg whites for another recipe.
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract adds so much delicious flavor. Do not use artificial or imitation vanilla.
- Heavy Cream: Aka heavy whipping cream. Do not sub milk, half and half, or sour cream for this ingredient!
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Pre-crushed graham cracker crumbs are the easiest choice, but if you can’t find them, don’t fret. You can crush graham crackers in a blender until they’re fine crumbs, then use them as called for in the crust.
- Butter: Unsalted butter works best, but in a pinch, salted butter will work just fine.
Some people ask if they can add lemon juice to this recipe to cut the richness, and you can. But don’t add more than a teaspoon.
Make the Graham Cracker Crust
- Wrap the bottom and side of the springform pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil. When you place your pan in the water bath, the foil will protect the pan from water leaks.
- Spray the entire baking pan with non-stick spray. If you don’t have canned spray, feel free to grease the pan with butter. Greasing the entire pan will ensure your crust and cake don’t stick to the pan. No sticking equals perfect slices!
- Combine the melted butter, crushed graham cracker crumbs, and sugar until well combined. This is your graham cracker crust mixture!
- Press the crust down into the bottom of the springform pan firmly. A firmly packed crust will bake up nice and thick, and most importantly, won’t crumble much when sliced.
How to Make the Best Cheesecake
- Cheesecake Prep: Preheat the oven at least 20 minutes before you plan on baking. This gives the oven plenty of time to reach the proper oven temperature. Prep you baking pan by wrapping it with aluminum foil and spraying it with nonstick baking spray.
- Par-bake the Graham Cracker Crust: This extra steps ensure a crunchy graham cracker crust. Allow the crust cool as you make the cream cheese batter.
- Make the Cream Cheese Batter: Use a food processor, stand mixer, or a handheld electric mixer to make the batter. This will create the smoothest filling! Slowly pour the cheesecake batter on top of the crust. Then smooth the top.
- Water Bath: Place the cheesecake pan inside a large roasting pan and fill with hot water. Loads of tips on this step below!
- Bake the Cheesecake: Bake until the cheesecake is firm, but the center is just a little wiggly. Don’t over bake, it’ll firm up a good amount as the cake cools.
- Cool: This is by far the hardest part of baking a cheesecake! But be patient and let it chill at least 6 hours! I promise it’s worth the wait.
- Slice and Serve: The best way to get clean slices of cheesecake? Use a large sharp knife, and wipe it between slices. Top with a giant swirl of whipped cream right before serving! This is also delicious with homemade chocolate sauce or raspberry sauce.
- Storage: Wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or follow my “how to freeze cheesecake” guide below and you can freeze for up to 2 months.
Do I have to make a Water Bath?
Yes, a water bath is an essential step in making the best cheesecake! The water bath helps the cake stay nice and moist! And it also ensures a crack-free presentation. But I promise, making one isn’t as hard or scary as you might think! Once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature.
Learn how to make an easy water bath with this step by step tutorial! It’ll turn you into a total water bath pro.
How to Freeze Cheesecake
Baked cheesecakes freeze great, making them an incredible make-ahead dessert option! Here’s what you need to do:
- Remove the baked cheesecake from the oven cool completely at room temperature! This will take several hours, so be prepared to be patient.
- Wrap the whole cake – or slices – in two layers of saran wrap. Then wrap tightly in a piece of aluminum foil.
- Transfer the wrapped dessert into a freezer bag, tightly seal, and place in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To defrost, simply thaw the wrapped cake in refrigerator overnight. Do not attempt to thaw in the microwave or oven!
Equipment Needed for This Recipe
- Electric Mixer: There’s no way to make this extra rich and creamy cheesecake without an electric mixer, so be sure to have a stand mixer, food processor, or electric hand mixer ready to go.
- Heavy-Duty Aluminum Foil: I suggest using this heavy-duty aluminum foil because it’s extra wide and thick, which helps ensure no water leaks through to your cheesecake crust.
- Spring Form Pan: This cheesecake pan is a total workhorse and releases the cake effortlessly every single time.
- Roasting Pan: You’ll need a pan large enough to place the spring form pan inside. And while a large skillet or baking sheet with high sides might work ok, a roasting pan definitely works the best.
Extra Rich and Creamy Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups (198 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) sugar
- 7 tablespoons (99 grams) butter, melted
For the Creamy Cheesecake:
- 5 blocks of full-fat cream cheese (40 ounces total) room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 5 large eggs room temperature
- 3 large egg yolks room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) heavy cream room temperature
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Lightly spray a 9″ springform pan with non-stick spray.
- Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with heavy duty tinfoil. I recommend doing several diligent layers here to ensure no water creeps through when you place the pan in the water bath. Set pan aside.
- In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter; stir well to combine. Firmly pat the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes. Place partially baked crust on a cooling rack and set aside while you prepare the filling.
For the Creamy Cheesecake Filling:
- In the body of a high power blender, food processor, stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a very large bowl using a hand held mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until completely smooth, scraping the bowl as needed.
- Add sugar and vanilla and beat smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom of bowl as needed. Add in the eggs and yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add in the cream and beat until it’s just incorporated in the batter.
- Pour filling into prepared crust and, using a silicone spatula, smooth the top.
- Place the cheesecake pan into a large, deep pan. Fill the pan with 2 inches of hot water. This is your water bath and will help ensure your cheesecake comes out crack free.
- Carefully place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Turn oven off and let the cheesecake sit, undisturbed, for 45 minutes, inside the oven with the door shut. The cheesecake should be still slightly wiggly.
- Remove cake from oven and gently run a knife very around the edge of the cake. Place the cheesecake pan on a cooling rack and cool completely, then loosely cover the pan with saran wrap and chill for at least 8 hours.
- Cheesecake will keep, covered in the fridge, for 5 days. Cheesecake may be frozen for 2 months. Thaw overnight before slicing.
Trey says
The flavor is amazing, I used fresh cane sugar from right here in Louisiana. The flavor was way better than regular granulated sugar, then I added a strawberry topping to it. Epic recipe
Ann Rogers says
I don’t understand step 7. Why do you run a knife around the cheesecake when it is still hot, then let the pan cool? Can I wait until after it has cooled and I want to remove the pan from the base to run the knife around the cake? (I use a springform pan)
Thank you.
Melissa says
Running a knife around the sides of the cake when it’s hot helps to keep it from cracking as it cools. It shrinks when it cools and if it sticks to pan, then you may have cracks. I also run the knife around the pan before I take it out of pan.
Rosann Waters says
This is to keep the top of the cake from cracking as it cools.
Em says
running a knife around outside while it is still warm helps to prevent cracks in the top as it cools and contracts.
Maggie says
Hi there, are there any adjustments needed for high altitude? Time or temp?
Paulina says
I make it in a cast iron skillet, no water bath and it’s delicious.
Ellen says
Hi, I cannot wait to make this cheesecake for Thanksgiving!
I just have a question, I have 2 sets of springform pans. One is non-stick and is dark in color (I would spray it with non-stick spray anyway) and the other is a regular silver. Does it matter which pan I use? Thank you for your help and for this recipe! Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Kimberly Butler says
They are no way this fits a 9 inch pan. It don’t even fit a 10 inch cheese cake pan. Why would you say a 9 inch pan when clearly it don’t work. Please explain it to me . Not being disrespectful but help me understand.
Ashia Lacey says
You have to use a 9 inch *spring form pan* not a traditional cake pan which is probably what you’re using. This is my go-to cheesecake recipe I’ve made at least 10 times minimum for events & it’s perfect everytime. It fits perfectly in a 9 inch spring form pan.
Kimberly Collins Butler says
Thank you. I made it and it was behind fabulous. I didn’t use a spring from pan that was tall enough and changed to a bigger 9 inch and it turned out amazing. Now I’m making for my friend who said she has had many cheese cakes and this is far the best she’s ever eaten, even better than cheesecake factory. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. You rock!!!! With your cheesecake recipes. Your the best
Sissy says
It fits my 9” springform pan perfectly
Jessica says
My first ever attempt at a “from scratch” cheesecake. Instructions were easy to follow and it came out perfectly. I don’t see any reason to ever look for another recipe!
Michelle says
The best cheesecake recipe ever!
Erin says
This cheesecake recipe looks amazing!! Do you have any recipe recommendations for different cheesecake toppings for this cake?
Pam B says
For those that have problems with a water bath. Try this , form your foil around pan then gently remove foil. That gives you a foil form . When your chessecake is ready for oven. Place the pan in a crockpot liner and then put your pan back into your foil form . Wrap it up tightly. Then you should not have a problem with water leakage. Proceed with the water bath.
Kimberly Butler says
Just one question ❓ how do you put ALL the ingredients in a 9 inch cheesecake pan. No way!!!. I made it and you would need a 10 inch pan.
Laura says
Kimberly, I’ve made this a couple of times and it is a little much to fit in a 9in pan. Just put the extra in a smaller dish, or bake it separately. This cheesecake is so good!
Kimberly Butler says
Thank you. I’ve looked at alot of cheesecake recipes and I choose this one out them all. I will comment when I make it. So rich that it has to be delicious. Thanks again
Jo says
How did it come out? Was it creamy? Thanks!