How to Make Cheesecake (Plus 18 Favorite Recipes)

If you start typing “is cheesecake” into Google, the first suggestion is “is cheesecake a pie?” You’ll get mixed results, including adamant ones from the likes of Alton Brown proclaiming cheesecake is a pie. Others say it’s a tart. And some stand by it being a cake. No matter where you fall on this debate, I think we can all agree that cheesecake is delicious. It works for any occasion, and you can make varieties to please every palate.

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Cheesecake Video

You can also watch my son, Henri, and me bake cheesecake in an Watch me and my son, Henri, make Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake on “Baking with My Mother” on Youtube!

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What Is Cheesecake?

Let’s answer this question in a little more detail, without quoting the dictionary like in a middle school essay. There are three types of pastries most people consider cheesecake: Cake, tart or pie. Regardless of classification, it most often features a soft, custard layer on top of a crust. It is also often topped with a garnish or other topping.

So what is cheesecake? Ultimately, it’s a custard baked in the form of a cake. It can also be used for other desserts, such as pie filling or bars.

Types of Cheesecake

New York Style

New York style cheesecakes are dense and rich. They are heavy on the cream cheese, and often incorporate sour cream or heavy cream into the recipe.

Basque Cheesecake

This is a crustless cheesecake with a browned exterior. It features the same velvety interior with a wonderful exterior that adds just a little extra to every bite.

No-Bake Cheesecake

As the name suggests, these cheesecakes are ones that don’t require baking. The simple recipe gives you the flavor of cheesecake in a quick, easy-to-make style.

Cheesecake Bars

If you’re looking for a way to serve a crowd, bars are a great option. You get the flavor of a delicious custard in a treat that is easy to serve. Try the raspberry version below, or check out these chocolate-ginger marbled cheesecake bars.

“Light” Cheesecake

Part of what makes a custard so decadent and delicious is its density and richness. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a lighter and fluffier version that still has a wonderful cream cheese flavor.

Japanese Cotton Soft Cheesecake

The Japanese Cotton Soft Cheesecake trend has been around online for years. It’s another light option, that has an almost soufflé-like texture, and the below recipe is made with mascarpone instead of cream cheese.

Holiday Cheesecakes

Holidays offer a great opportunity to use seasonal flavors and create special cheesecake designs. These are some of my favorite colorful recipes for different holidays:

• Easter Cheesecake Recipe
• Red, White & Blue Cheesecake for Fourth of July Recipe
• St. Patrick’s Day Cheesecake

Types of Filling

The above recipes feature different styles of custard. Some are standard cheesecake custard with additional flavors, and some are swirled, styled or glazed. Once you know how to create a simple cheesecake custard, you can flavor it with all kinds of different ingredients.

You can also give your cheesecake a fun or sophisticated appearance with different techniques, such as swirled, layered, striped or glazed cakes. This bull’s eye cheesecake is a great recipe to use because the custard is swirled and the cake is glazed. The Japanese Soft Cotton Cheesecake recipe is a great one to learn about layers.

Types of Crust

A great cheesecake is as much about the crust as the filling. The custard is the star, but a good crust will compliment your flavors and help tie all the components together. Graham cracker crust is the most common, but you can also use a pastry crust. Find out how to make both in my how to make pie crust guide.

Toppings

One simple way to add a different flavor to your cheesecake and give it a beautiful finish is with a topping or garnish. Fruit toppings are standard, but you can try all kinds of different toppings with fun and tasty flavors, including:

• Poured ganache
• Pipped icing
• Meringue
• Candied nuts
• Fruit
• Sweet sauces such as chocolate or caramel

The options are almost endless when it comes to toppings, and offer a way to make a simple cheesecake stand out without trying a more complicated recipe.

How to Store Cheesecake

It’s hard not to indulge in your cheesecake as soon as it’s ready and, frankly, why wait? If you made a cake for a crowd, it will almost certainly be devoured. However, if you do have leftovers, most cheesecakes will keep in the fridge for about a week.
You can also freeze most cheesecakes, but be sure to wrap it first with plastic wrap and then with foil. It should keep for about a month in the freezer, but make sure it is wrapped well to avoid freezer burn.

How do I know when a cheesecake is done?

One option is to do a wobble test. You can gently tap the pan to see how much the cake jiggles. It should jiggle slightly, but seem loose. This can also depend on the style, as some of my recipes should appear more like a souffle, and others should be a dense custard. Follow the bake time on the recipe, and make sure the cake is set before removing it.

Can cheesecake set without gelatin?

Yes. Most of my recipes don’t call for gelatin. You can get a great texture on your custard without using it.

How do I prevent cheesecake from cracking?

Cracking is often caused by overbaking or a lack of moisture. Pay close attention to the baking time, and use a water bath to help keep the cake moist while it is baking.

18 Cheesecake Recipes