Homemade cheesecake is one of the most classic, iconic desserts that belongs in the repertoire of every home baker. This is a tried-and-true cheesecake recipe that gives perfect results every time. Each slice is a sweet, creamy, crunchy piece of heaven, and I just can’t get enough! I have made cheesecake in so many ways, and this is definitely one of the easiest. While I don’t mind doing a simple water bath, and it definitely does give good results, I’m a big fan of this simplified method, especially because the result is so impressive. It’s so good that it stands on its own without any additional toppings but it’s just a delicious covered in cherry pie filling, raspberry sauce, caramel sauce, blueberry pie filling, or just served with sliced fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream! If you’re crazy for cheesecake like us, then you’ll also want to check out this super easy No-Bake Cheesecake, my Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake, or this White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake!
Why We Love This Recipe
Customize this classic cheesecake recipe with your favorite toppings, or add different flavors to the filling as you like. Made using simple ingredients you may already have at home! This easy method will give you a perfectly creamy cheesecake with less fuss.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Graham crackers – We use our favorite honey graham crackers for the base of this cheesecake, but you could sub in biscoff cookies, Oreos, Nilla Wafers, or other options. Sugar – Granulated white sugar gives just the right amount of sweetness to the cheesecake filling. Butter – This will bind the graham cracker crust together while adding buttery flavor. Cream cheese – Full-fat soft cream cheese is best for a fuller flavor, although I have also made this with reduced-fat neufchâtel with good success. Sour cream – Adds a creaminess and slight tang for a classic cheesecake taste. Vanilla – To add flavor and depth to the cheesecake. Salt – This ingredient enhances all of the other flavors. Eggs – They are essential to keep the structure of the cheesecake filling.
How to Make the Best Easy Cheesecake
Tips for Success
Cream cheese: Be sure to use bricks of cream cheese rather than the spreadable cream cheese that comes in a tub. I recommend using full-fat cream cheese and full-fat sour cream for best results but have also had success using Neufchatel instead. Clean cuts: For cleanly sliced cheesecake, I recommend using a long, sharp knife. Run the knife under hot water and wipe clean with paper towels before each cut.
Substitutions and Variations
Cheesecake crust: Try alternative bases like an Oreo crust with finely crushed Oreo cookies, or use Biscoff cookies or Nilla Wafers for other options. Topping: You can use any topping you like to make this cheesecake perfect for your special occasion! My favorite cheesecake toppings include fresh fruit like sliced strawberries, raspberries (any fresh berries really), or even peaches, plums, or pineapple; sweet sauces like caramel, chocolate, or mashed strawberries mixed with a little sugar; and to finish you can add candy toppings like chocolate curls, mini chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, or crushed nuts like pistachios, peanuts, or pecans.
More Cheesecake Recipes
Simple No Bake Cheesecake Recipe Pumpkin Cheesecake Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Classic Instant Pot Cheesecake
Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake
Cheesecake Jars
Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
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