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
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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