The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake at home! This recipe for The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake delivers a dense, creamy, and perfectly crumbly dessert. Get the best tips for baking The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake without cracks.
The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake
Welcome to the definitive recipe for The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake. When we set out to create The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake, we wanted a dense, tall, and exceptionally creamy result, just like the classic deli experience. This is not a light or airy version; this is truly The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake.
What makes this The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake so special? We’ve focused on two main elements shown in our photos. The first is a robust graham cracker crust that must be perfectly crumbly. The second is a rich, tang-heavy cream cheese filling that achieves a velvety texture. For The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake, we use a combination of heavy cream and sour cream for perfect mouthfeel.
To ensure success for The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake, you must use room-temperature ingredients. Cold ingredients will cause cracks, ruining your attempt at The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake. Another key to The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake is using a water bath, which provides gentle heat.
This isn’t just any cheesecake; it’s The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake. Follow these steps to bake The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake and share a picture of your perfectly crumbly slice of The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake!
Ingredients for The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake
Note: All dairy must be at room temperature.
The Crumbly Graham Cracker Crust:
1 ½ cups (180g) Graham Cracker Crumbs (from about 12-14 full sheets)
3 tbsp Granulated Sugar
7 tbsp (100g) Unsalted Butter, melted
Optional: ¼ tsp Cinnamon
The Ultimate Cheesecake Filling:
(4) 8 oz (900g) blocks Full-Fat Cream Cheese, softened
1 ¼ cups (250g) Granulated Sugar
¼ cup (30g) Cornstarch
4 large Eggs, room temperature
1 large Egg Yolk, room temperature
1 cup (240ml) Heavy Cream, room temperature
½ cup (120ml) Sour Cream, room temperature
2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
Equipment:
9-inch (23cm) Springform Pan
Large Roasting Pan for Water Bath
Heavy-duty Aluminum Foil
Step-by-Step Instructions for The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake
Step 1: Prep and the Crust
1.1 Preparation: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). For The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake, you must wrap the outside of your springform pan completely. Use three large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a waterproof barrier around the base and sides.
1.2 Combine Crust: In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and optional cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened (like wet sand).
1.3 Press and Bake: Press the crumbly crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Use the bottom of a flat cup or measuring spoon. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Set aside on a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: The Creamy Filling
2.1 Cream the Cheese: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed until perfectly smooth, about 3 minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl often. For The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake, there can be no lumps.
2.2 Add Sugar and Cornstarch: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add the granulated sugar and cornstarch and mix until just combined and smooth.
2.3 Add Eggs: While the mixer is running on low, add the eggs and the egg yolk one at a time, mixing only until just incorporated. Do not overmix at this stage, or you will introduce air bubbles that will cause The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake to crack.
2.4 The Liquid Ingredients: Add the heavy cream, sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Mix on low until the batter is uniform and velvety. Final scrape down: Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl by hand with a spatula.
Step 3: The Bake
3.1 Fill the Pan: Pour the creamy cheesecake filling over the cooled crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
3.2 The Water Bath: Place the foil-wrapped springform pan inside the large roasting pan. Carefully fill the roasting pan with hot tap water until it reaches halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan. Do not get water inside the foil.
3.3 The Main Bake: Place the whole roasting pan into the oven. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 60 to 75 minutes.
3.4 Check for Doneness: Start checking at 60 minutes. For The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake, the edges should be set, but the center 2-3 inches should still be jiggly, like set Jell-O. Do not overbake!
Step 4: The Cool Down (Crucial!)
4.1 The Oven Cool: Turn off the oven, but leave the roasting pan inside. Crack the oven door open about 1 inch (use a wooden spoon to hold it) and let the cheesecake sit in the water bath and oven for a full hour. This gentle temperature drop prevents cracking in The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake.
4.2 Room Temp Cool: Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Carefully take the foil-wrapped cheesecake out of the water bath and place it on a wire rack to cool to room temperature (about 1.5–2 hours).
4.3 The Chill: Once at room temperature, cover the pan loosely with foil and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours, but ideally overnight. The flavor of The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake develops during this time.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
5.1 Release: Run a thin knife around the edge of the chilled cheesecake. Release the springform latch and remove the rim.
5.2 The Signature Crumbly Topping: For the authentic look of The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake (as seen in image_4.png), reserve 2 tablespoons of extra graham cracker crumbs. Sprinkle them finely and evenly over the top center. Also, scatter a few crumbs around the base on the serving plate for that perfect crumbly presentation.
5.3 Serve: Slice using a clean knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry before each slice. This keeps the edges of your slice clean. Serve and enjoy The Ultimate New York Style Cheesecake!
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