Easy Cheesecake Recipe

If you’re looking for a decadent and creamy dessert, this easy cheesecake recipe is just the thing!

With a simple four-ingredient filling, this cheesecake is fail-proof and delicious. Top it with assortment of fresh berries or sauces!

a slice of baked cheesecake on a white plate with berries

Ingredients for Cheesecake

This classic cheesecake recipe is easy to make and needs few ingredients.

Graham Cracker Crust: I purchase graham cracker crumbs, but you can also pulse graham crackers in a food processor to make your own crumbs. A bit of sugar adds sweetness while butter binds the crust.
Cream Cheese: Full-fat blocks of cream cheese are recommended in this recipe. For a lighter version, low-fat cream cheese can be used but the texture will be much softer.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds flavor to the cheesecake filling.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix smoothly into the batter. If short on time, place the eggs in warm water for 5 minutes to quickly reach room temperature.

Crust for cheesecake with ingredients in the background

How to Make Cheesecake

Prepare crust: Mix the graham crust ingredients and press them into a springform pan.
Prepare filling: Combine filling ingredients according to the recipe below. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust.
Bake: Bake according to the recipe below. Cool and chill before serving.

Do you Need a Water Bath for Cheesecake?

No, you don’t need a water bath for baking cheesecake but it helps with even baking and it helps eliminate cracks. While it might seem like a bit of a task, I can assure you it’s easy to do and only takes a few minutes extra.

To avoid cracks, line two layers of aluminum foil around the outside of the springform pan and place them in a large pan. Fill the pan halfway up with water. If you choose this method, bake it and allow it to cool for a bit in the oven. Cool in the refrigerator.

If you don’t use a water bath, your cheesecake will still be great. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and run a knife around the edge of the crust to loosen the cheesecake from the pan. Remove the pan from the cheesecake and let the cheesecake cool completely in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Cheesecake with berries on top and in the background

This is what’s so great about cheesecake! There are dozens of toppings and sauces for every cheesecake occasion!

Delicious Cheesecake Toppings

This is the perfect cheesecake recipe for any occasion! Serve it topped with fresh fruit, dessert sauces or even pie filling.

Storage & Freezing

Keep cheesecake up to 5 days in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container.

Slice the cheesecake before freezing if you’d like to enjoy a few slices out of the freezer or freeze it as a whole cake. Store cheesecake in the freezer for up to 4 months. Let the cheesecake thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Cheesecake Favorites

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Slice of cheesecake on a plate with berries

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This homemade Cheesecake is so decadent, rich & creamy!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Chill Time 4 hours

Total Time 5 hours 50 minutes

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, combine graham crumbs, sugar, and butter. Mix until well combined and press into the bottom and about ¾-inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
In a medium bowl, with a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until just until incorporated (do not overbeat, this will cause cracks).
Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust and wrap the bottom of the springform pan in 2 layers of aluminum foil. Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan and pour enough water in the roasting pan to reach halfway up the springform pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes.
Once the cheesecake is set, turn the oven off, open the door slightly, and allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven for 1 hour.
Remove from the oven and run a butter knife along the edges. Remove from springform pan and cool completely in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Remove springform pan and cool completely in the fridge at least 4 hours or overnight.

To Bake Without a Waterbath: A water bath (bain marie) is recommended to avoid cracks in the cheesecake. This cheesecake can be baked without a waterbath but you may get some cracking in the cheesecake. To bake without a waterbath, place the cheesecake directly on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the center is almost set. (It will still be a tiny bit wobbly in the middle). Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes. Gently run a knife around the edge of the crust to loosen. Cool for 45 minutes and then refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine American

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