The Best Cheesecake Recipe

This recipe for Homemade Cheesecake results in a creamy, light cheesecake with a crisp graham cracker crust.

While I love, homemade desserts like Brownies, Banana Pudding, and Cherry Crumb Pie, cheesecake is my absolute favorite.

But not just any cheesecake will do! My all-time favorite cheesecake recipe from my Nana and has been in my family for over a century.

Instead of being dense and thick, like classic New York-style cheesecakes or my recipe for Instant Pot Cheesecake, this homemade cheesecake is light, creamy, and fluffy. It is a bit like a no-bake cheesecake with the same airy, cloudlike consistency, yet this recipe is made without whipped topping. It is simply perfect.

Notes on Ingredients & Equipment

• Springform Pan: A 9-inch springform pan is essential for making a cheesecake. Technically you can use a 9-inch cake pan, but it is next to impossible to slice pretty slices from a cake pan.
• Cream Cheese: Do NOT use fat-free cream cheese for cheesecake. Neufchatel or ⅓ less fat cream cheese works fine, but regular, full-fat cream cheese is best. It is also essential for the cream cheese to be at room temperature so that it incorporates evenly into the batter.
• Sour Cream: Sour cream may sound like an odd topping, but the little bit of tang helps to balance this cheesecake. Just be sure to use full-fat, not fat-free sour cream.
• For the Crust: This recipe calls for a traditional graham cracker crust mixed with butter and sugar. Feel free to use chocolate graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or even gingersnaps in place of the graham crackers.

How To Make Cheesecake

Making cheesecake is not hard, but it is more time-consuming than some other recipes. However, the effort is so worth the results. I will walk you through all my tips for making the perfect cheesecake, so you too can have perfect results.

Step One: Prepare Graham Cracker Crust

• In a food processor fitted with an s-blade, process 1 sleeve of graham crackers to create 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs.
• To the food processor, add 2 tablespoons of sugar and pulse to combine.
• With the food processor running, add the melted butter through the lid, and continue to process until the graham crackers look like wet sand.
• Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes. This will help the crust set up and harden before adding the cheesecake batter.

Step Two: Beat Egg Whites

As I stated earlier, folding whipped egg whites into the batter keeps this cheesecake light and fluffy--AKA the BEST cheesecake.

• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or using a handheld mixer, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks have formed.  You will know stiff peaks have formed when the egg whites will stick off the beaters and hold shape.
• Set the egg whites aside.

Step Three: Prepare Batter

It is crucial to beat the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. I have found the best way to do this is to add the ingredients in thirds, as this allows everything to incorporate together perfectly.

• Place 1 package of cream cheese, 1 egg yolk, and ¼ cup sugar into a large mixing bowl and mix using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed until creamy.
• Once smooth, add another package of cream cheese, egg yolk, and ¼ cup sugar to the mixer and beat until smooth.
• Add in the final package of cream cheese, egg yolk, and ¼ cup sugar and beat until creamy and smooth.
• Add in vanilla and lemon juice and mix until combined.
• Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the cream cheese mixture, being careful to not mix or deflate the egg whites.

Step Four: Bake

The trick to baking a cheesecake so that no cracks form on the surface is to bake low and slow in a moist environment. To create a moist environment, it is best to place a pan with water on the rack below the cheesecake while it bakes. The steam from the water will keep the cheesecake light and fluffy while it bakes.

• First, pour the prepared cheesecake batter into the prebaked crust and gently tap on the counter to remove air bubbles.
• Create a water bath for baking by placing a large baking/roasting pan underneath the center rack of the oven. Pour hot water into the pan until half full.
• Place the cheesecake on the rack above the pan and bake for 45 minutes.

Step Five: Prepare Sour Cream Topping

• While the cheesecake is baking, mix sour cream with the remaining sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl.
• After 45 minutes, remove the cheesecake from the oven and gently spread sour cream topping on top of the cheesecake.
• Return to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cheesecake are well set and the center has a slight wobble.

Step Six: Let Cool

• Once baked, remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• After cooling, use a butter knife to gently loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan.
• Cover the pan with a clean towel and plastic wrap and chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

Cheesecake is best if served after being chilled for at least 12 hours, as this gives the cheesecake time to set up fully and for the flavors to meld together.

I highly recommend removing the cheesecake from the refrigerator and allowing it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to pop.

Serve plain, or top with pie filling, fresh fruit, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, and/or whipped cream.

How to Store Cheesecake

• Refrigerate: There is a TRICK to storing the cheesecake to prevent condensation from forming on the top of the cheesecake. To store, lightly drape a kitchen towel over the sides of the springform pan. Then cover with plastic wrap over the kitchen towel. Store the cheesecake this way in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in the fridge.
• Freeze: Alternatively, you can freeze leftover cheesecake. I recommend slicing the cheesecake into individual slices, wrapping each slice in plastic wrap, and then placing the wrapped slices into a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Place a slice in the refrigerator for 6-12 hours before enjoying.

More Favorite Dessert Recipes

• Mini Cheesecakes
• Blackberry Crisp
• Banana Cake
• Peach Cobbler
• Hot Milk Cake
• Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
• Instant Pot Lava Cakes

If you tried this Homemade Cheesecake recipe, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below!