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.
Bella
Worst cheesecake recipe. Ever. Oven was at correct temperature, kept it in for the correct amount of time. Eggs scrambled!!!! You should bake your cheesecake at a lower temperature.
Sam
Hi Bella, I am disappointed to hear you had this result. However the recipe is correct as written as is the temperature. It might be helpful to take a peek at the video that I share in the recipe card, that may help for next time. Also, do you have a thermometer in your oven? It may be that your oven is running hotter than it lets on. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help troubleshoot. This recipe really consistently yields a simple, smooth, creamy and wonderful cheesecake that I’m quite proud of and I’d love to help you see those same results!
Laura
This is easily the best cheesecake I’ve had. I followed the recipe exactly and am now the toast of my neighbors with whom I shared it!
Kristen
My MIL is very picky about most things and had declared that her friend made the best cheesecake…. that is, until she tried this one! Currently making another one for her birthday tomorrow! Thank you for elevating my position in the family!! LOL!!
Sam
🤣 I’m so glad I can help! I’m glad everyone enjoyed it. 🙂
Anna
Hi! What can I use as a substitute for the sour cream? And in what quantity? Thanks much
Sam
Hi Anna! You can use greek yogurt and you would need the same amount. 🙂
Sarah Banning
Turned out AMAZING. Ours cracked a bit, but the texture and flavor were *perfect*!
Rayne
What if I don’t have a springform
Sam
Hi Rayne! Others have used regular cake pans but it can be a little more of a challenge to get the cheesecake out. It probably won’t hold all of the batter so your baking time will be less. Make sure to not overfill your pan. 🙂
Andria
Does the butter need to be salted or unsalted
Sam
Hi Andria! You can use either here. 🙂
Marie Elene Flood
I found this recipe which looked good. I did some modifications, I use ricotta cheese in addition to the cream cheese, I used Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and last added almond extract.
Definitely making again.
Thank you
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sandra Paytosh
I have been using this recipe for many years! You can’t go wrong with it! The lower temperature is the secret! So many ways to change it up when you want chocolate or fruit.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoy it so much, Sandra! 🙂
Faye
Sandra, so true! I used 2 blocks of regular cream cheese and 2 blocks of Ricotta cheese, 3 eggs instead of 4 and a splash of lemon, and it came out perfect. I was also thinking about chocolate either in the crust, or in the mix!
Faye
This is indeed one of the very best and quite easy recipes (I wanted to avoid the water bath)! Mine came out perfect, although I didn’t have 4 eggs; so I made it with 3. I also added a splash of lemon juice. Incredible texture and taste.
Sam
I’m so glad the cheesecake was such a such a success for you, Faye! Thank you so much for commenting, I appreciate it! 🙂
Sarah
This was my first attempt at cheesecake and it came out perfect! No cracks and tasted amazing. Thank you for the recipe!
Sam
Wonderful! I am so happy to hear this, Sarah! Thank you so much for trying my recipe, it means a lot to me! 🙂
Megan
I didn’t account for the 6 hours of suggested cooling time after baking. I was hoping to serve it tonight? Is there any way to shorten cooling time?
Sam
Hi Megan! Unfortunately for best results I don’t recommend trying to shorten the cooling time. 🙁
Lisa Richey
Very good and easy directions. Mine fell in the middle after it cooled. But it didn’t crack!
Jen
Absolutely delicious!! This was my first timing making cheesecake and my family loved it!
Fiammetta Bacci Di Capaci
Hello! I just made this using your recipe and it is currently cooling down to room temperature.
I do have a question:
At what point to we remove the springform part? After cooling down and before setting it inside fridge to cool? Or until serving time?
Thank you so much in advance!
Sam
You can leave the ring on until you are ready to serve it. I typically serve mine right from the pan so I just pop the ring off serve it and then put the ring back on to cover and store it. 🙂
Tammy
Awesome, I the same question, mine is now stovetop cooling, so far looks beautiful!