Description
This Cream Cheese Cake is a decadent and easy-to-make dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and a smooth, creamy filling. Perfect for any occasion, it offers a rich, velvety texture and a classic cheesecake flavor that’s irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare crust: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter until evenly mixed. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.
- Make filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar and vanilla extract, and continue beating until fully combined.
- Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed just until blended after each addition to avoid overmixing.
- Incorporate creams: Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the cake: Pour the cream cheese filling over the baked crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the springform pan on a baking sheet and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still slightly jiggly.
- Cool in oven: Turn off the oven and leave the cake inside with the door slightly open for 1 hour to cool gradually, helping prevent cracks.
- Final cooling: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
- Chill: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight to set fully.
- Serve: Serve chilled, optionally topped with fresh fruit or whipped cream.
Notes
- For a crack-free top, place a pan of hot water on the oven rack below the cheesecake while baking.
- You can substitute the graham cracker crust with a chocolate cookie crust for an extra decadent twist.
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully at room temperature before mixing to achieve the smoothest texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
