Today I’m so excited to show you how to make the best Cheesecake Recipe of your life. Simple, classic, and no water bath required!! The texture is smooth, rich, and creamy, served over a crisp homemade graham cracker crust.
I’ve included tons of detailed tips and important info in today’s post so you can make the perfect creamy cheesecake every time. For a visual how-to, be sure to check out my step-by-step video beneath the recipe!
The Perfect Cheesecake Recipe
This cheesecake recipe has been a long time coming.
For a recipe with so few ingredients (cream cheese, eggs, sugar, sour cream, vanilla & salt), it took a lot longer than you might think to develop the perfect version. I’ve shared a few cheesecake variations in the past, including my No-Bake Cheesecake, but getting a perfected classic version took lots of testing. Finally, here we are.
Oh, and we are skipping the water bath! I’ve always found them to be largely unnecessary with cheesecakes. Cook yours on a low temperature and follow my tips below and you’ll have a perfectly creamy and crack-less cheesecake without all the hassle of a water bath.
Other tested/perfected classics to try: my Pound Cake, Chocolate Cake, and Carrot Cake, (to name just a handful).
Must-Know Tips for Baking the Perfect Cheesecake (Without a Water Bath!)
Use room temperature ingredients
It’s important that your cream cheese comes to room temperature before you begin making your cheesecake. This will prevent any lumps and ensure a cheesecake with a smooth, creamy texture. However, to ensure that all of your ingredients blend together nicely and give you the desired result, they should all be at room temperature before you begin.
Take it easy on the eggs
Over-beating your eggs is one of the quickest ways to ruin a cheesecake. Over-beating can ruin the texture and can cause cracks. To prevent this, lightly scramble each egg before adding it into your batter. Keep your mixer on low speed and stir until just combined. Be sure to pause after each addition and scrape down the sides and bottom of your mixing bowl.
Don’t open the oven!
I know how tempting it can be to want to check on your perfect, beautiful cheesecake, but wait until it’s finished baking (or close to it) before opening the oven door! Yes, you will have to test for doneness at some point and there’s a real possibility it will need more time in the oven, but minimize opening the oven as much as possible.
Opening the oven door can drastically reduce the temperature of your oven, which will slow the baking process and might cause your cheesecake to sink or crack.
Free your crust!
Once your cheesecake is done baking, allow it to cool for 10 minutes on top of the stove. Then, run a knife around the inside of the springform pan to loosen the crust from the sides.
As your cheesecake cools, it may to shrink a bit. If the crust is stuck to the pan, your crust won’t give but your cheesecake will (leaving you with cracks). Free the crust from the sides so it can contract with your filling as needed.
Cool at room temperature before moving to the fridge
I always let my cheesecake come to room temperature before chilling. For bests results, let it cool as gradually as possible. I put mine on top of my oven (the warmest spot in my house) so it can gradually cool off as the oven does.
This pre-chilling cooling period can take an hour or two, but it’s worth it. An abrupt temperature change (moving the cheesecake directly from oven to fridge) is likely to make it crack.
How to Store Cheesecake
Cheesecake should always be stored chilled in the refrigerator. When I’m ready to store mine, I’ll usually replace the springform ring and then cover the top with foil.
Cheesecake shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for more than 4 hours (or less if it’s particularly hot/humid!).
Can I Freeze Cheesecake?
Yes, you can freeze your cheesecake! Fortunately, this cheesecake recipe actually freezes very well. To freeze, first allow your cheesecake to cool on the stovetop and in the fridge as instructed. Once it’s chilled, you can freeze by wrapping thoroughly in plastic wrap and then wrapping in foil. Cheesecake will keep in the freezer for several months.
To thaw, transfer to the fridge and let it thaw there overnight.
Here’s a great source for more information on freezing cheesecake, including suggestions if you’d like to freeze by the slice.
Other Cheesecake Variations You Might Like:
- Oreo Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cheesecake
- Or try something different and serve this cheesecake on an Oreo Crust!
Enjoy!
The BEST Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust¹
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (170g)
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar (can substitute white)
- 7 Tablespoons butter melted
Cheesecake
- 32 oz cream cheese² softened to room temperature (910g)
- 1 cup sugar (200g)
- ⅔ cups sour cream (160g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs room temperature, lightly beaten
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F (160C).
- Prepare Graham Cracker crust first by combining graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and brown sugar, and stirring well. Add melted butter and use a fork to combine ingredients well.1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 7 Tablespoons butter
- Pour crumbs into a 9” Springform pan and press firmly into the bottom and up the sides of your pan. Set aside.
Cheesecake
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl (using a hand mixer) add cream cheese and stir until smooth and creamy (don’t over-beat or you’ll incorporate too much air).32 oz cream cheese²
- Add sugar and stir again until creamy.1 cup sugar
- Add sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt, and stir until well-combined. If using a stand mixer, make sure you pause periodically to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula so that all ingredients are evenly incorporated.⅔ cups sour cream, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- With mixer on low speed, gradually add lightly beaten eggs, one at a time, stirring just until each egg is just incorporated. Once all eggs have been added, use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl again and make sure all ingredients are well combined.4 large eggs
- Pour cheesecake batter into prepared springform pan. To insure against leaks, place pan on a cookie sheet that’s been lined with foil.
- Transfer to the center rack of your oven and bake on 325F (160C) for 50-60 minutes (or longer as needed, see note 3). Edges will likely have slightly puffed and may have just begun to turn a light golden brown and the center should spring back to the touch but will still be Jello-jiggly. Don't over-bake or the texture will suffer, which means we all suffer.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on top of the oven⁴ for 10 minutes. Once 10 minutes has passed, use a knife to gently loosen the crust from the inside of the springform pan (this will help prevent cracks as your cheesecake cools and shrinks). Do not remove the ring of the springform pan.
- Allow cheesecake to cool another 1-2 hours or until near room temperature before transferring to refrigerator and allowing to cool overnight or at least 6 hours. I remove the ring of the springform pan just before serving then return it to the pan to store. Enjoy!
Notes
1) Graham cracker crust
For more details on making this crust or to use whole graham crackers, please see my Graham Cracker Crust Recipe.2) Cream cheese
Make sure that you use the brick-style cream cheese, not the spreadable version that is available in tubs.3)Bake time
Exact bake time can vary depending on your oven, whether you bake your cheesecake on a baking pan or not, the color of your springform pan (light or dark), and even the precise temperature of your ingredients. Because of this I recommend checking your cheesecake at 50 minutes and adding time as needed. However, it is not uncommon for the cheesecake to take as long as 75 minutes to bake, but it's better to check sooner.4) Cooling cheesecake
I recommend the top of the oven because it is usually the warmest place in my house (after it’s been on for over an hour). This will help to cool the cheesecake more gradually and will also help avoid cracks).Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Samantha
Okay, wish me luck this is will be my first attempt on a cheesecake. You’re recipe seems great and I’m so excited but just to confirm I am NOT pre-baking the crust? Just wait and add filling then bake? Thank you!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Nope, no need to pre-bake your crust here. You’re going to do great, Samantha! Just make sure to thoroughly read the post and watch the video before getting started, and you should be fine! Let us know how it turns out for you 🙂
Laura
So my crust leaked butter all over my foiled cookie sheet. Why? And is this going to affect my cake or crust at all? This is my first time making a cheese cake ever. It cracked in me oh well.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Laura! Unfortunately springform pans do leak from time to time. To counteract this, you can place your springform pan on a baking sheet when cooking. Sometimes even brand new ones leak! We’re so sorry your cheesecake cracked–be sure to watch the video and read the entire post for tips on how to prevent this in the future. For now, you can always cover the top of your cheesecake with whipped cream, chocolate ganache, salted caramel sauce, or strawberry sauce.
J
Looks amazing!! Would you need to take anything out if you wanted to add Baileys, peanut butter, etc (not together lol) or can you just add them to this recipe? Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We can’t say for sure without trying it ourselves. Peanut butter can be finicky, and we’d be concerned about how it could affect the texture. Baileys would probably work though! If you do try it, we would love to hear how it turns out for you 😊
anu
could I bake a small cheesecake with one fourth ingredients in a toaster oven, and if so, how long should it bake for ?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Unfortunately we aren’t sure how that would work. You could give our mini cheesecakes or no-bake cheesecake a try instead!
Jennie Lee
Hi Sam! Tried your cheesecake recipe for the very first time and it’s great! Thanks for the tip in regards to a leaking pan as mine leaked! So the foil was an easy clean-up! Eventhough my family loves the cheesecake, they felt like it was very cheesy for our taste. Any tips on making it taste lighter? Would you suggest using one less cream cheese or omit sour cream? Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Jennie! We’d suggest trying our no-bake cheesecake if you prefer a lighter cheesecake. If you try it, please let us know how you like it! 😊
Molly
Hi! When do you advise you remove the sides of the spring form pan?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Molly! We remove them just before serving. Then, if there’s any left, we put the sides back on and store in the fridge. Hope that helps! Enjoy! 🙂
Matthew Smith
Can I use a premade crust already like a 9 oz Keebler ready crust(made with graham crackers)?
Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Matthew! A premade crust won’t quite hold all of the batter, but it will work. Your bake time will be different. Make sure to not overfill your crust. 🙂
Farha Hussin
I remember making this in the past and it’s amazing. Can you remind me how many Graham crackers I should be using please.
Ashley @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Farha! You will need 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (or 10 graham cracker sheets pulverized to crumbs in a food processor) (170g). Enjoy!
Magali Renaud
Quick question: can I add some frozen blueberries to the cheesecake mixture?
Sam
Hi Magali! I haven’t tried it, but I think it could work. 🙂
Magali Renaud
Do you use salted or non salted butter?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Whatever you have on hand will work here. 🙂
Rosemary Wade
Hi, Sam. I madethis for Christmas and it turned out great. Everybody seemed to like it. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know how it went for you, Rosemary 😊
Linda Ohlin
This really is the best cheesecake. So many compliments.
I add some fresh strained raspberries.
To Die for
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yum, sounds delicious Linda! We’re so happy it turned out well for you. Enjoy 😊
Jen
This is the only recipe I’ve ever used that’s given me such nice results it’s currently cooling & I’m so excited I did take it out of the oven 2min earlier though since I usually end up over-baking cheesecake I hope taking it out slightly early won’t mess it up during the cooling period it looks beautiful right now
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy it turned out for you, Jen! Enjoy your cheesecake 🙂
C Le
Thank you for this recipe! I have made it several times and it is a hit with family and friends! I love the taste and texture and I pair it with fresh berries and a berry compote. It is not too cheesy or too rich. It is just perfect!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you like the cheesecake! Thanks so much for coming back to tell us how it turned out for you 🙂
Jamie
Thank you for the recipe! After reading so many recipes, I decided to make yours. How thick is the cheese cake? 2 in? I just want to know how high I should spread the crust.
Sam
Hi Jamie! I would say mine makes it close to 2 inches up the side of the springform pan. 🙂
Cdub
Just finished baking this. I used what I had for the crust-cinnamon graham crackers ground up. Still used the brown sugar. Wish me luck. I think I should have made more crust though
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Sounds delicious! Let us know how it turns out for you 😊
K
Followed the recipe exactly and it’s got craters in the top. So much for not cracking. Looks terrible, hope it tastes okay at least.
Sarah
Hi, can we use pre whipped cream cheese?
Sam
Hi Sarah! I really only recommend the full fat brick style cream cheese.
Katlyn Aeh
I’m wanting to make this recipe for my husband on his birthday! I was wanting to add a homemade blueberry sauce topping. Do you recommend adding the hot sauce to the cheesecake fresh out of the oven or allow them to both cool before adding? Thank you—we look forward to trying it out!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Katlyn! We’d suggest letting them both cool before adding. Hope that helps 😊
Becky
Amazing! The entire family raved about it!