American · Dessert · All year
New York Cheesecake
4.8 · community
30m
Prep
70m
Cook
Med
Level
460
Energy
Dense, creamy, and tall on a buttery graham crust — baked gently in a water bath and cooled with patience so the top never cracks.
What you need
Ingredients
Servings
12
Before you start
Mise en place
Equipment
23 cm springform pan
Roasting tin for the water bath
Stand or hand mixer
Prep checklist
Graham Crackers — crushed
Butter — melted
Cream Cheese — at true room temperature
Lemon — zest only
4 steps
Method
1
Press the crumb-butter mixture into the pan and bake 10 minutes at 175°C.
10 min — timer available in cooking mode
2
Beat cream cheese and sugar just until smooth; add eggs one at a time on low, then sour cream, vanilla, zest, and flour.
Why this works
Overbeating whips in air, and air is what cracks cheesecakes. Low speed, minimum time.
3
Wrap the pan in foil, set in a hot water bath, and bake at 160°C until the edges are set but the center wobbles like jelly, 55–65 minutes.
60 min — timer available in cooking mode
4
Turn the oven off, crack the door, and let it cool inside for an hour. Then refrigerate at least 6 hours.
60 min — timer available in cooking mode
Why this works
Sudden temperature drops crack the top. The slow exit is the insurance policy.
From the pass
Chef's notes
Taste before serving and adjust salt and acid — the last 30 seconds of seasoning matter more than any single ingredient.
Afterwards
Keep, reheat & pair
Storage
Covered at cool room temperature 2 days, or refrigerated up to 5.
Freezing
Most baked desserts freeze well for 2 months, tightly wrapped.
Reheating
Most baked desserts revive in a 150°C oven for 5–8 minutes. Custards and mousses are served cold — never reheat.
Make ahead
Almost every dessert here is better made a day ahead — flavors settle and textures set. Add crisp toppings just before serving.
Wine pairing
A small glass of something sweeter than the dessert itself.
Beer pairing
An imperial stout alongside chocolate is a genuinely great pairing; otherwise coffee.
On the plate
Serve it with
Sides
Softly whipped cream
A scoop of vanilla ice cream
Fresh berries
Garnish
Powdered sugar
Chocolate shavings
A few flakes of sea salt
Taste map
Flavour profile
Sweet
5
Salty
1
Sour
1
Bitter
1
Umami
0
Heat
0
Per serving
Nutrition
460
kcal
8g
protein
38g
carbs
31g
fat
3g
fiber
520mg
sodium
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