Learn how to make a Perfect Cheesecake every time! I am sharing my 10 secrets for the best creamy cheesecake and how to keep it from cracking.
I use this classic cheesecake recipe for my Orange Cranberry Cheesecake and the Caramel Apple Cheesecake.
It took me a few years and many, many cheesecakes to finally learn all the secrets to creating the perfect one each and every time. Mind you, even if there is a crack or crumbling crust - your cheesecake will still be delicious. But if you are committing your time and money to such a time consuming and decadent dessert - might as well make it perfect. Have you ever had the pleasure of baking a cheesecake and pulling out a no-crack-top beauty out of the oven? It's like angels sing and confetti is flying around you! Definitely a baking success worth bragging about and showing off!!
Ingredients (your shopping list):
- cream cheese
- sugar
- graham crackers
- butter
- sour cream
- flour
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- milk
The perfect cheesecake should be:
- smooth
- creamy
- melt in your mouth with every bite
- with no crack
- with no crumbling crust.
It has to look fabulous and taste absolutely amazing.
Step by step instructions:
This classic cheesecake recipe is very easy. It makes the best, creamy and smooth vanilla cheesecake, with a perfect no-crumbling crust.
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Trace the pan on a sheet of parchment paper and line the bottom of your springform pan. This will help with removing the cheesecake from the pan. Simply slide a knife under the parchment and remove the cheesecake from the bottom of the springform pan.
Wrap the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil, to prevent the water from water bath from getting into the pan.
Step 2: Make the Crust
Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Press it into the bottom and up the sides of your pan. Using a flat bottom measuring cup is very helpful here.
Step 3: Make the batter.
Beat cream cheese until creamy. Add sugar and mix in. Add flour, sour cream and vanilla and mix in well.
Step 4: Bake the cheesecake.
Add beaten eggs to the batter and mix in on low speed, just until incorporated. Pour the batter into prepared pan and set in a roasting pan. Add hot water to the pan and place the cheesecake in the oven.
Expert tips:
So what are the secrets to a perfect cheesecake? Well, let's go through all 10 of them. I promise it's easier than you may think!
1. Baking the cheesecake in a water bath.
This is the secret to a no-crack top! It will require you to add about 5 minutes to a preparation time but it is so so worth it. Line the springform pan with two sheets of aluminum foil and place the pan in a roasting pan. Boil 2 cups of water and when the cheesecake is ready for baking, pour enough water into the roasting pan to come up at least an inch up the sides but not too high so it won't go over the foil and flood your cheesecake. You can refill the water after the first 50 minutes of baking.
2. Always use a springform pan.
I can't imagine trying to get the cheesecake out from a regular cake pan or a pie pan. It would be a mess! A springform sides help you release the cake from the pan so you can show off the cake and also perfectly slice it.
3. Softened cream cheese for the smoothest texture.
The cream cheese should be very soft. You should need a knife to scrape it off the silver wrapper. If your cream cheese is not soft enough, you will end up with small chunks of it in the batter and the texture won't be smooth. If you are making a chocolate or pumpkin cheesecake and you can see small white dots in each slice, it means the cream cheese was not soft enough.
4. Cream cheese to eggs ratio.
If you look at all the great cheesecake recipes, you will notice that the cream cheese to eggs ratio is 1:1. Which means that if you are using 3 8oz. packages of cream cheese - you should use 3 eggs. This is your secret to a perfectly rich, dense and creamy cheesecake!
5. Perfect graham cracker crust for a cheesecake.
This is your secret to a perfect flat crust that will come of in one piece when slicing the cheesecake. You do not want half the crust from your piece to be stuck to the pan. You want the crust to be perfectly flat (no hills) to make an ideal base for the filling. For every 1 and 1/2 cups of cookie crumbs (traditionally graham cracker crumbs, but also gingersnaps, Oreo's, even Ritz crackers!), you should use 1/2 cup of butter, melted. I highly recommend this ratio for 8 or 9 inch cheesecakes. In years of experimenting, I find it to be perfect. It's not too much to be stuck in the corners and enough to make a sturdy base for your filling. Pre-baking the crust for 7 to 8 minutes, will harden it enough which prevents it from crumbling while slicing the cake. To make 1.5 cups of graham cracker crumbs, you will need 10 sheets with 4 crackers each, attached to each other.
6. The addition of flour and Greek yogurt.
It may sound strange, but you do want to add a little bit of flour and some Greek yogurt (or sour cream) to your batter. It will help with the smooth texture and perfectly creamy end result. I usually use only 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour in my cheesecakes.
7. The oven temperature.
Go low and slow. The cheesecake needs time to bake. Do not hurry it! It's not cookies. Bake your cheesecake in 325 degrees instead of 350 degrees or 375 degrees. It will prevent it from over-baking and burning the top. You need to adjust the time to the size of your pan. I usually bake my cheesecakes in 8" springform pan for 1 hour and 20 minutes in 325 degrees. You can also use a 9" pan and bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes, add more minutes if needed.
8. Cooling the cheesecake in the oven for 1 hour after baking with the door slightly open.
After the timer beeped on your stove to inform you that the baking time has ended, turn the oven off, open the door and stick a wooden spoon in it to leave it slightly open. Leave the cheesecake in the oven in these conditions for 1 hour. This is another secret to a no-crack top!
9. Loosening the sides with a knife, yet not taking the ring off.
After the cheesecake has cooled in the oven for 1 hour, slide a knife around the sides to loosen them up. Do not take the springform pan ring off. If you don't loosen the edges, the cheesecake will pull away during cooling and that will cause a crack. Chill the cake in the pan. This is your secret to a crack-free cheesecake!
10. Chilling, chilling, chilling! 6 hours to overnight.
Chilling the cheesecake is absolutely crucial. This is your secret to a perfectly smooth, dense and creamy texture! I always try to plan ahead while making a cheesecake for any occasion so I can chill it overnight. It makes a huge difference!
What to do if the cheesecake cracks?
If the cracks are on the sides (that happens if the cheesecake was slightly overbaked), they will close during cooling. If the crack is in the middle, there is not much you can do, except cover it with a topping (sour cream, chocolate ganache, pie filling, etc.).
How to remove cheesecake from springform pan?
If you want to remove the whole cake from the pan to present on a cake stand, I recommend lining the bottom of the pan with a parchment paper circle. Once you remove the side ring of the pan, slide a knife under the parchment paper and remove the bottom of the pan. The paper also helps with removing individual slices without the crust crumbling or breaking.
Storing and freezing:
Since the cheesecake is made mostly of dairy, it should be stored in the fridge. I place plastic wrap over the top (unless there is topping). Any leftovers should be kept in the fridge as well.
You can freeze a whole cheesecake or slice it into individual servings, wrap each one in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month.
More cheesecake recipes:
- Funfetti Cheesecake Bars (perfect cheesecake bars recipe)
- Instant Pot Cheesecake
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake
- Coconut Cheesecake Bars
- Caramel Swirl Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
For more easy desserts, feel free to browse our Dessert Category.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Perfect Cheesecake
Ingredients
for the crust:
- 1.5 c finely crushed graham crackers
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 c unsalted butter melted
for the filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese softened (3 packages, 8oz. each)
- 1 c granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp milk
- 3 large eggs well beaten
Instructions
prepare the water bath:
- Wrap an 8" springform pan in aluminum foil and set in a roasting pan.
- Boil 2 cups of water. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
to make the crust:
- Place graham crackers in food processor and process until finely crushed.
- Add sugar and melted butter and process on low until all comes together.
- Press the crust into a 9" springform pan.
- Bake for 7 minutes in preheated oven.
- Set aside.
to make the filling:
- Place cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer for 30 seconds.
- Add sugar and mix until combined.
- Add flour, sour cream, vanilla and milk and mix until smooth.
- Add eggs and mix on low until completely incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter over baked crust. Tap the roasting pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles from the batter. If they are stubborn, you can poke them with a toothpick.
- Place the roasting pan with the springform pan in the oven. Pour enough water into the roasting pan to come at least 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan but not over the foil.
- Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes. Replace water after the first 50 minutes of baking.
- When the time is up, turn off the oven and insert a wooden spoon in the door, leaving it slightly ajar. Leave the cheesecake inside for one hour.
- Run the knife around the edges of the pan. Do not release the pan. Cool the cheesecake completely on the counter.
- Place cheesecake in the fridge and chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Top with desired toppings (fresh fruit, sauce, ganache, glaze, frosting, chopped candy, etc.)
Notes
- The total time includes the cooling time. You need to let the cheesecake cool completely and then refrigerate it (preferably overnight) for the best results.
- Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days in closed container.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on September 3rd, 2013 and updated on October 9th, 2019.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section. I know many of us bakers have our favorite ways to bake but these are mine. I am not saying that other recipes are wrong, I am just sharing my tips for creating what is a perfect cheesecake in my opinion. I hope my list of tips will be at least a guide.
Mary says
Hi thank-you for the recipe can't wait to try it 😋 would you know how to adjust the temperature and baking time for a convection oven? Thank-you
Lynne Munro says
How would I adjust a cheesecake recipe to my convection oven? It calls for a 9" springform pan to bake in a conventional oven at 325F for 55 minutes; I'll be using my 8" springform pan and I think I need to bake it at a lower temp and shorter time in my convection oven but I can't find this adjustment info. anywhere! Please advise!
Sheens says
Hi Anna! I’ve been making many failed cheesecake bakes from one recipe and your tips are so helpful!
Today I tried the method of switching off the ove. And letting it cool in the oven before removing it onto the counter.
However, there was a crack on the surface ( maybe I over whipped it) but what was most surprising was the entire cheesecake filling dislocated itself from the crust! I’m not sure what happened!
I baked it at 150degrees celcius for about 1 hr 30 mins and then switched off the oven. When an hour was up for me to remove it to chill I noticed the entire cheesecake filling came apart and there is a huge gap between the filling and the crust. 🙁 this has never happened before - even with the various previous attempts.
What do you think could have happened? I feel so helpless! x thank you ◡̈ sheens
Sheens says
Btw my crust is just a mix of butter and digestive / graham biscuits. I haven’t yet tried it with sugar as my recipe didn’t call for it. But I’m keen to try it especially if the sugar does help to bind it together.
My crust is terribly crumbly and I’m trying to figure out how to make it harder.
JoAnna says
Hello,
My cheesecake just finished baking and I have a wooden spoon holding the door slightly open where it will cool for one hour. After that your recipe says to leave it on a rack on the counter to cool completely and then to chill overnight in the oven but elsewhere it says to leave it in the pan and do not take it out of the springform pan so is it supposed to chill in the pan in the fridge or can I remove it from the pan after it’s chilled out on the counter completely?? Then place to chill without pan in the fridge? It doesn’t really specify at what point do you release the pan. I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you so much!
JoAnna
Anna says
Hi JoAnna! In step 9, I say to run the knife around the edge of the cheesecake, don't release the pan and let it cool completely on the counter. Place cheesecake in the fridge, in the pan to chill overnight. After that, you can release the sides. I hope this helps! Let me know how it turns out!
Bob says
I think conversion to metric not correct for the cheese
Carol Sanders-Sheehan says
My math is telling me it should be 675 grams of cream cheese.
Paula wells says
I made this for my daughter's birthday. I made it in a 10" springform pan and used 3 1/2 cream cheese, 1 1/2 cup butter etc,.
If turned out perfect, my family absolutely loved it.
I am making another one right now for a friend.
Thank you for your very detailed hints. I used everyone of them,
Paula W.
Kim says
Perfection. Recipe is fabulous very detailed and specific and easy to follow. I had one minor crack which is expected no problems with anything else. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
kim says
Do you completely remove the cheesecake when changing the water?
Anna says
Hi Kim! I do not. Just add more water to the pan.
Kim says
Thank you!
vanessa says
Thank you for the recipe. My family loved the cheesecake. ❤
Cheesecake man says
I have found that a removable bottom cake pan works much better than a spring form pan. But even better is a deep (3"-4") cake pan with parchment paper on the bottom works even better. Cool and flip. Then you don't have to worry about water getting into the pan. Also, both of these are much easier to clean. I like Fat Daddios.
Anna says
Thank you so much for sharing!
JERENE HAYNES says
I made my first baked cheesecake for my family’s Christmas Eve dinner and it was a BIG hit!! Thank you for sharing!!
Anna says
Thank you for trying my recipe, Jerene!
Cathy says
Hi Anna, thank you for this great recipe! I made it last night and after it was done cooling in the oven, I noticed that water had gotten into the foil. I had only added the 2nd layer to half of it. Will that mean the crust will be soggy? I hope I can still serve it tomorrow. Any suggestions?
Anna says
Hi Cathy! The foil is a double protection in case the pan leaks. Let me know how you liked the cheesecake!
Gerald says
Hi Anna,
For the spring form pan, is the size an 8inch or 9 inch pan?
I see both sizes listed in the recipe.
I can't wait to try it! Thanks!
Anna says
Hi Gerald! I use 8" springform pan. You can use 9" but the cheesecake won't be as thick as the one on the photo. I hope you love this recipe! Let me know.
Gerald says
The cheesecake in the photo looks perfect! I will use the 8 inch pan.
Thanks So Much Anna!
Anna says
No problem at all! If you have any other questions, just let me know!
Catalina says
I love the texture of this cheesecake! Thanks for these tips!
Erin says
I need to try this cheesecake immediately, it looks so good!
Melanie says
You've done it! You've made it look easy to make the perfect cheesecake!
Anna says
It really is easy! 😀 Thanks, Melanie!
Julie Blanner says
Cheesecake is one of the best desserts ever created! This is so creamy and a perfect dessert for any meal!
Anna says
I agree! Thank you, Julie!
wilhelmina says
I finally baked a cheesecake with no cracks! Thanks for the great tips, this cheesecake is phenomenal!
Anna says
Yay! That's fantastic! I am so glad my tips are helpful. Thank you, Wilhelmina!
Valerie says
Cheesecake is my favorite dessert in the world. I always enjoy seeing the different ways people make them.
Anna says
Same here! Thanks, Valerie!
Dorothy Reinhold says
This really is the perfect cheesecake! Your tips and tricks are really great. I never thought about the egg and cream cheese ratio!
Anna says
Thank you, Dorothy!
Sara Welch says
Cheesecake is my utmost favorite dessert and this one looks worthy of a restaurant, indeed! Yum!
Anna says
Thank you, Sara!
Kristyn says
This cheesecake really is perfection!! It's creamy & soft! I like to add a little drizzle of chocolate!
Anna says
Yes! Chocolate drizzle is a must. 😀 Thanks, Kristyn!
Pam Dana says
All your tips were SO helpful and my cheesecake turned out perfect! Thank you!
Anna says
That's wonderful, Pam! Thank you for trying my recipe!
Wendy says
Hello,
I am going to try your recipe and I'm just wondering if I substituted the melted chocolate for chopped up candy bars, how much should I use? The same amount? I've seen 2 cups in other recipes. Thank you!
Anna says
Hi Wendy! If you are not melting the candy bars, then add 1/2 cup at a time and stir into the batter until it looks good. I hope this helps!
Wendy says
Thank you I will try that. I always worry about adding too much or stirring the batter WAY too much when attempting to add my fill-ins in small batches.
Diba says
I love you tips. What if I wanted to make Oreo cheesecake can I use the same recipe but just add a few chopped oreos? Would it turn out ok?
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Diba! Yes! You can stir in chopped cookies, M&M's, any candy really. Have fun! Thanks!
Wendy says
Just wanted to let you know. I made the cheesecake yesterday. It turned out GREAT!! (And this is coming from a non-cheesecake person!) It is now my go-to recipe for cheesecake.
I made a candy bar version with chopped candy bars for filling (instead of the melted chocolate) and a candy bar topping. I used about 1.5 cups chopped candy bars for the filling. I also used Balkan 6.5% yogurt as that's all I had on hand (instead of greek yogurt or sour cream). Other than that I followed your instructions and your tips. Thanks!
Rita says
thanks so much for your quick reply! i'll try the parchment paper. i did try spraying the bottom and sides of the pan w/Pam for my second cheesecake, but the graham cracker crust was very soggy, and i think it was due to the Pam spray. it was still tasty, but not at all the same texture as the graham cracker crust on my first cheesecake (same crust recipe). so i'm a bit leery of the spray Pam where it touches the crust. but i'll definitely try the parchment and spray the pan bottom then lay the parchment on it. i know it's just a matter of trial and error until i learn to get my cheesecakes out of the pan beautifully! thanks again for your great recipes and so helpful tips!
Rita says
Hi, thank you for your wonderful tips on making a perfect cheesecake! Could you also please share your tips on removing the finished cheesecake from the metal pan bottom. my 2 cheesecakes have turned out perfectly, but when it comes time to remove them, some of the crust invariably sticks to the pan, even though i use a metal cheesecake lifter. Help! after all that work and a beautiful cheesecake, i HATE that it gets messed up moving it to the serving plate. (i usually freeze my cheesecakes overnight, rather than just chilling. that helps wonderfully when slicing, and i thought it would also help with removing it from the pan bottom, but so far, no luck.)
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Rita! One of my readers just left a comment with tips for getting the cheesecake out of the metal bottom. Kathy said: "I have found that if you cut a piece of parchment to fit the bottom of your pan, spray the pan then the parchment add your crust. When the cheesecake is cooled loosen it with an off-set spatula and you can even move it to a serving plate." Let me know if this helps!
Laura Donaldson says
Can you please upload a video for Chocolate Cheesecake?
Baking Beginner says
You didn't mention how much yogurt to add
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Baking Beginner! The amount is in the recipe. Thanks!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi! I would say cut the baking time in half if you are making half the recipe. Check the cheesecakes for signs of being done: the edges should appear set and the center should be slightly jiggly when you shake the pan. Let me know how it goes! Thank you!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Maria! I recommend my recipe. It does not have an eggy taste. I've had a fantastic feedback from my readers who made this recipe. I think you are going to love it!
TheStewie says
Hi, I have recently started making cheesecakes. After reading your tips, I can definately make a better cheesecake. Thank you!
The hardest part I have come across so far is getting the bottom part of the pan off without tearing up the crust. Is parchment paper the answer?
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi there! Yes, it can definitely make it easier. I do find my crust to be perfect and always comes off without crumbling. Thanks for the question!
Dexter says
Bunch of thanks for this! All my clients are amazed by our cheesecakes after following this helpful guide. 😀
CrunchyCreamySw says
So glad I could help! Thanks, Dexter!
Humble Baker says
I doubled the recipe to make a taller cheesecake. Will I need to bake it longer?
CrunchyCreamySw says
I have never made a cheesecake with 6 packages of cream cheese but I would definitely recommend baking it longer. Add at least 30 minutes. What pan are you using?
Humble Baker says
9 inch spring form pan. It's about 5 1 / 2 inches tall. I figured I would do the 'shake' test every 15 minutes or so?
CrunchyCreamySw says
Let the initial time go by before you open the oven to check on it. This way it won't disturb the cake during rising. Definitely let me know how it's going!
SRR says
I just wanted you to know that I came across your blog when I was searching for a way to make the perfect cheesecake. I followed your steps and recipe exactly (minus the chocolate part) and my husband said it was definitely the best cheesecake he's ever had! I didn't get to try it since I made it for him to take to a Holiday luncheon at his work. This was only my second attempt at making one, and while the first one was good, I was disappointed when I pulled it out of the oven and it had cracked. After following your directions I was so excited to pull a perfect looking cheesecake out of the oven. Thanks for sharing these tips and recipe! I will definitely be making this again!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Oh how wonderful! Thank you so so much for letting me know! This totally made my day!
Allie says
I don't make cheesecake nearly as often as I should. Your tips are so useful and your photos are gorgeous! You've got me totally inspired! 😀
Jennie says
The crack gets me every time. This is such a great tutorial. Thank you!
Annie says
How incredible!!! This looks absolutely stunning. What a beautiful post and pictures!!!
Ashley says
This is such a wonderful post, Anna! So helpful, too. You're a cheesecake queen! xo
Emily says
Great tips and secrets here! Thanks for sharing xo
Colette says
Flour and yogurt, that's new to me. Can't wait to test this, Anna. xo
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! Do let me know what you think, Colette!
Nancy says
Anna, you're the best! Thanks so much, girl, for compiling this incredible list of cheesecake tips. I haven't made a cheesecake in over 10 years, mostly because they intimidate me and it'd be super dangerous to have a giant delicious cheesecake lying around. I'm pinning this so that I can make gorgeous, glorious, perfect cheesecakes all winter long (I'll need the extra padding since the weather's cooling 😉
CrunchyCreamySw says
Sweet, Nancy! You can totally do it! xoxo
Curry and Comfort says
I am the queen of no back cheesecake for a reason... I need your tips!! 🙂 Thanks for all this advise... I am definitely going to use it and make a real baked cheesecake soon. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
I would love to see it! Now off to vote!
Georgia says
Love your helpful advice in this post, Anna. I've never made a full-sized cheesecake, but I do love making cheesecake bars. Wonderful recipe, too!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you so much, Georgia!
Jessica says
Great tips Anna! That chocolate cheesecake looks so rich and fudgy!
CrunchyCreamySw says
It really is! Thanks, Jessica!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Your tips are so informative!! Need to try them out the next time we make a cheesecake. Beautiful photos too!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Awww, thanks, guys!!
Lori Lange says
Great tips! So very helpful as cheesecake can be so tricky!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Absolutely! So glad my tips can be helpful! Thank you, Lori!
Riverside Baking says
The other challenge is always getting it off the spring form base, any tips?
CrunchyCreamySw says
I found that the perfect ratio of cookie crumbs and butter for the crust and pre-baking the crust helps a lot here. Running a knife around the base (after you take the ring off) helps to get the perfect first slice! Hope this helps!
RhiRhiBC says
if you butter the pan, and sprinkle it with sugar, there is no need to run a knife around. It will come off all on it's own.
Kathy says
I have found that if you cut a piece of parchment to fit the bottom of your pan, spray the pan then the parchment add your crust. When the cheesecake is cooled loosen it with an off-set spatula and you can even move it to a serving plate.
Tutti Dolci says
Great tips, I haven't made many cheesecakes but this makes it sound so easy!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Laura!
wearenotmartha says
The only thing more perfect than a cheesecake is a chocolate cheesecake! This looks seriously amazing. Thanks for the tips 🙂
Sues
CrunchyCreamySw says
Agreed! Thanks, Sues! 🙂
Averie Cooks says
WOW this is so helpful! Pinning! I dont make enough cheesecakes for basically all the reasons (problems) you laid out!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Oh yay!!! Thanks so much, Averie! And thank you for pinning!
The Joy of Caking says
Looks perfect to me Anna! I am embarassed to admit I have never made a cheesecake because most recipes make such huge cakes. And I hate to experiment with a new dessert when I'm expecting a crowd because it would be my luck it would be a flop - lol...
CrunchyCreamySw says
I know what you mean. Cheesecake happens to be our very favorite dessert so experimenting was fun 🙂