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Classic Cheesecake

Classic cheesecake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Its buttery graham cracker crust is the perfect partner in crime to the sweet, creamy filling - amazing either as a solo treat or a base for other delicate desserts.
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Course: Cake
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Cooling Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 408kcal
Author: Brenda Maher

Ingredients

Graham cracker crust

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs or 12 full-sheet graham crackers
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 5 tbsp melted, unsalted butter

Cheesecake

  • 32 ounces softened, full-fat brick cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • (optional) 2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 177°C) and adjust the rack to lower middle.
  • Crush graham crackers, mix with sugar and melted butter, press into a springform pan, and pre-bake for ~10 minutes.
  • Beat cream cheese + sugar until creamy, then add sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add eggs one by one until just blended.
  • Prepare a water bath: place the springform pan in a larger roasting pan, pour in the batter, and then pour the boiling water into that roasting pan.
  • Bake for 55 to 70 minutes, covering with foil if it browns too quickly. Once done, let it sit for about 1 hour with the oven's door cracked open, then remove it from the water bath and cool at room temperature.
  • Refrigerate it for 4-5 hours or overnight. Before serving, loosen the edges with a sharp knife, remove the pan's rim, and slice. Enjoy your creamy cheesecake!

Notes

  • Pulse graham crackers in a food processor for coarse crumbs, avoiding over-grinding to prevent a dense crust.
  • Place your homemade cheesecake in the center of the oven. Don't open the door frequently, as sudden temperature changes might cause it to collapse. Instead, use the oven light to monitor progress.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.2g | Protein: 7.2g | Fat: 38.7g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 272mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 4.2g | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
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