Description
Creamy cream cheese cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its smooth, rich texture. Culinary experts and home bakers appreciate this classic American dessert for its delectable simplicity and irresistible charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup sour cream
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) melted butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Flavoring Ingredient:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 325F (163C), ensuring a consistent temperature for baking.
- Create the crust by thoroughly mixing graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar, then firmly press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to form a compact base.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency.
- Gradually incorporate sugar and vanilla extract into the cream cheese, blending until fully integrated and smooth.
- Introduce eggs individually into the mixture, gently mixing after each egg to maintain a uniform texture and prevent curdling.
- Fold in sour cream and heavy cream, stirring until the batter reaches a completely homogeneous and velvety state.
- Carefully transfer the batter over the prepared graham cracker crust, ensuring an even distribution.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 55-70 minutes, monitoring until the center sets and appears slightly firm with a gentle wobble.
- Once baking completes, turn off the oven and leave the cake inside with the door slightly ajar for one hour, allowing gradual cooling and preventing surface cracking.
- Transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 4 hours, enabling complete setting and enhancing flavor development.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cream cheese mixture and even baking.
- Wrap the springform pan’s exterior with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in during potential water bath baking.
- Gently tap the pan on the counter after pouring batter to release any air bubbles, creating a smoother cheesecake texture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg