Joy of Cooking Cheesecake Recipe for Classic Bakers

A joy of cooking’s legendary cheesecake whispers pure dessert magic, transforming everyday ingredients into a sublime culinary experience.

Creamy and seductive, this classic recipe weaves together delicate flavors that melt effortlessly on your tongue.

Smooth as silk and rich with decadent potential, the dessert promises an unforgettable sensory journey.

Bakers cherish such masterpieces for their elegant simplicity and crowd-mesmerizing charm.

Every forkful carries a symphony of textures that dance between luxurious and comforting.

Crafted with passion and precision, this cheesecake speaks volumes about the art of baking.

Get ready to fall in love with a dessert that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 398 kcal

Servings: 8

Cheesecake Ingredients You Can’t Forget

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Select fine, uniform crumbs for a smooth texture and consistent base.
• Unsalted Butter: Choose high-quality butter with rich, creamy consistency for better binding.

• Cream Cheese: Opt for full-fat, room temperature cream cheese for silky, luxurious filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Pick fine-textured sugar that dissolves smoothly without graininess.
• Cornstarch: Use fresh, pure cornstarch to help stabilize and thicken the cheesecake.
• Lime Juice: Select fresh, bright Key limes for authentic, zesty flavor profile.

• Eggs: Choose large, fresh eggs at room temperature for even incorporation and smooth texture.
• Water: Use clean, filtered hot water for creating moisture during baking process.

Tools and Bakeware for Cheesecake Success

• Springform Pan (9-inch): Essential for creating and releasing cheesecakes without damaging the delicate dessert.
• Electric Mixer: Perfect for blending cream cheese and ingredients into a smooth, lump-free mixture.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining filling ingredients with ease.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Small Pan: Used for creating moisture in the oven and preventing cheesecake cracks.
• Spatula: Helps fold ingredients gently and smooth out the batter.
• Oven: Necessary for baking the cheesecake to creamy perfection.
• Refrigerator: Critical for chilling and setting the cheesecake.

Directions for a Smooth and Creamy Cheesecake

• Craft the Crunchy Base

Crush graham crackers and blend with melted butter until perfectly combined. Press the mixture into a springform pan, creating a solid foundation that will cradle your creamy dessert.

• Prepare the Baking Zone

Set your oven to a gentle 300°F and create a steamy environment by placing a water-filled pan on the bottom rack. This trick helps your cheesecake stay smooth and crack-free.

• Whip Up the Silky Filling

Grab your mixer and transform cream cheese into a cloud-like mixture. Blend smoothly with sugar and a splash of lime juice until the texture becomes luxuriously creamy. Fold in eggs with a delicate touch, ensuring each one integrates without creating lumps.

• Bake with Precision

Pour the velvety batter into your prepared crust. Slide the pan into the oven and bake until the edges look set but the center still has a subtle wobble. This typically takes about an hour, so patience is key.

• Cool and Chill

After baking, let the cheesecake rest in the oven with the door slightly open. This gradual cooling prevents sudden temperature shifts that could cause cracking. Once cooled to room temperature, park the cheesecake in the refrigerator for several hours. The longer it chills, the more the flavors will meld and intensify, creating a truly spectacular dessert.

Flavor Ideas and Tips for Cheesecake Fans

• Swap Citrus Flavors: Experiment with different citrus juices like lemon, orange, or grapefruit to create unique variations of this classic cheesecake. Each fruit brings its own tangy twist and vibrant personality to the dessert.
• Temperature Tricks: Use room-temperature cream cheese and eggs to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling. Cold ingredients can create unwanted texture and make mixing more challenging.
• Topping Transform: Elevate your cheesecake with creative toppings like fresh berries, toasted coconut flakes, or a drizzle of passion fruit sauce. These garnishes add extra layers of flavor and visual appeal.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cheesecake up to 3 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. This method allows flavors to meld and makes entertaining stress-free.

Serving Cheesecake Like a Pro

• Garnish with Zesty Flair: Top the cheesecake with thin lime slices or twist lime zest over the surface for a bright, fresh appearance that hints at the Key lime flavor.
• Create Whipped Cream Swirls: Pipe delicate dollops of homemade whipped cream around the edges, adding a creamy contrast to the tangy cheesecake and creating an elegant presentation.
• Sprinkle Tropical Crunch: Scatter toasted coconut flakes or graham cracker crumbs over the top to introduce a delightful textural element and enhance the tropical Key lime profile.
• Drizzle with Sweet Accent: Carefully drizzle a thin line of lime-infused honey or a light lime glaze across the cheesecake to intensify the citrus notes and add a glossy finish.

Storing Cheesecake for Best Freshness

• Refrigerate with Care: Store your Key Lime Cheesecake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap to maintain its creamy texture and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors. Keeps perfectly fresh for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Option: Wrap the entire cheesecake or individual slices in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best taste and texture.
• Room Temperature Strategy: Remove the cheesecake from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance its rich, tangy flavor profile.
• Slice and Serve Smart: Use a clean, sharp knife dipped in hot water between each cut to create smooth, precise slices that showcase the beautiful creamy texture of your homemade cheesecake.

Dreamy Joy Of Cooking Cheesecake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic New York Cheesecake delights dessert enthusiasts with its creamy texture and rich flavor profile. Delicate graham cracker crust and silky cream cheese filling create a luxurious dessert you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 24 oz (680 g) cream cheese, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 g) white sugar
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) graham cracker crumbs
• 6 tbsps (85 g) butter, melted
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) key lime juice
• 1 tbsp grated lime zest
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and thoroughly mix with melted butter until it resembles damp sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan, creating a compact base. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
2. Oven Setup: Heat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit). Position a shallow water bath on the lower rack by placing a metal pan filled halfway with hot water to ensure even baking and prevent surface cracking.
3. Filling Creation: In a large mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, and lime juice using an electric mixer until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency. Periodically scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure thorough mixing.
4. Egg Integration: Gently incorporate eggs one at a time on low speed, then carefully fold in key lime juice by hand to maintain the batter’s delicate texture. Mix minimally to prevent potential surface cracks during baking.
5. Baking Process: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared graham cracker crust. Bake for 55-65 minutes until the center is almost set but still slightly wobbly when gently shaken.
6. Cooling Technique: Turn off the oven and crack the door open about 4 inches. Allow the cheesecake to rest inside the warm oven for 30 minutes to prevent sudden temperature changes and potential cracking.
7. Final Chilling: Remove the cheesecake and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to develop optimal texture and flavor profile.

Notes

• Prevent Crust Crumbling: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to create a stable, compact base that won’t fall apart when serving.
• Master Smooth Texture: Mix cream cheese ingredients at low speed and avoid overmixing to maintain a silky, crack-free surface and creamy consistency.
• Control Baking Temperature: Use a water bath and gentle oven temperature to ensure even baking and prevent surface cracking, crucial for a professional-looking cheesecake.
• Patience Matters: Allow slow cooling inside the oven and extended refrigeration to develop rich flavors and achieve the perfect creamy, dense texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 398
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 371 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 104 mg