Learn how to make a simple but perfect cheesecake every time! I am sharing my 10 secrets for the best creamy cheesecake and how to keep it from cracking.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Have you ever had the pleasure of baking a cheesecake and pulling a no-crack-top beauty out of the oven? It's like angels singing and confetti is flying around you! Definitely a baking success worth bragging about and showing off!!
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. So how do you make a perfecr cheesecake? It's quite simple!
I use this classic cheesecake recipe for my Orange Cranberry Cheesecake and the Caramel Apple Cheesecake.
Ingredients:
- cream cheese: must be softened in room temperature; best if you need to scrape it with a butter knife off the wrapper;
- sugar: white, granulated;
- graham crackers: for making the crust; use digestive biscuits if you can't find graham crackers;
- butter: helps the crust mixture come together, I always use unsalted;
- sour cream: adds creamy texture and tangy flavor so the cheesecake is not overly sweet;
- flour: helps to achieve the perfect texture;
- eggs: you need the same amount of eggs as 8 ounce packages of cream cheese;
- vanilla extract: adds that sweet dessert flavor; use the best quality you can get;
- milk: another ingredient that helps achieve the perfect creamy texture.
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.
How to make a perfect cheesecake?
This classic cheesecake recipe is very easy. It makes the best, creamy, and smooth vanilla cheesecake, with a perfect no-crumbling crust.
- 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 the water bath from getting into the pan.
- 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.
- Make the batter:
Beat cream cheese until creamy. Add sugar and mix in. Add flour, sour cream, and vanilla and mix in well.
- Bake the cheesecake:
Add beaten eggs to the batter and mix in on low speed, just until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and set in a roasting pan. Add hot water to the pan and place the cheesecake in the oven.
Helpful 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!
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- 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 the 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- Perfect graham cracker crust for a cheesecake.
This is your secret to a perfect flat crust that will come off 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 ½ cups of cookie crumbs (traditionally graham cracker crumbs, but also gingersnaps, Oreo's, even Ritz crackers!), you should use ½ cup of butter, melted. I highly recommend this ratio for 8 or 9-inch cheesecakes. After 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.
- 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.
- The oven temperature.
Go low and slow. The cheesecake needs time to bake. Do not hurry it! It's not cookies. Bake your cheesecake at 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 an 8" springform pan for 1 hour and 20 minutes at 325 degrees. You can also use a 9" pan and bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes, add more minutes if needed.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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 a 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.
Recipe FAQs:
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.
Always use full-fat cream cheese, not Neufchatel. I am not particular about any brand. More affordable, store brand cream cheese works great!
Eggs along with cream cheese make the custard rich and creamy. I would not skip them in this recipe. Try a no-bake cheesecake, if you need to avoid the eggs.
Pre-baking the crust ensures that it will not crumble. It is a simple yet important step in my opinion. It only takes a few minutes to bake the crust.
Either works great! They help the cheesecake set. I always use flour or cornstarch when making cheesecake.
More cheesecake recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Perfect Cheesecake
Ingredients
for the crust:
- 1 ½ cups finely crushed graham crackers
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
for the filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese softened (3 packages, 8oz. each)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon 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℉.
to make the crust:
- Place graham crackers in food processor and process until finely crushed.1 ½ cups finely crushed graham crackers
- Add sugar and melted butter and process on low until all comes together.1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter
- Press the crust into the 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.24 oz cream cheese
- Add sugar and mix until combined.1 cup granulated sugar
- Add flour, sour cream, vanilla and milk and mix until smooth.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ½ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon milk
- Add eggs and mix on low until completely incorporated. Do not overmix.3 large eggs
- 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 a closed container.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate.
Nutrition
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.
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! 😀