Classic Cheesecake
This easy classic cheesecake recipe is fail proof. It is extremely silky and utterly delicious and it has never, ever failed!
Hands down, this is my ultimate favorite cheesecake.
It is my go-to choice if I ever make a cheesecake and it is always, always a hit.
It is extremely silky and not at all grainy and over-done like so many other recipes I have tried (or tasted in restaurants).
This cheesecake is utterly delicious and it has never, ever failed (or cracked).
Classic Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust:
- 3 cups (300 g) finely ground graham crackers, (about 40 squares)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup (113 g) butter, melted
Filling:
- 2 packages (8-ounces each) (454 g) room temperature cream cheese
- 1 cup (212 g) sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 lemon, zest finely grated
- 1 pint sour cream
Instructions
- To prepare crumb crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients together with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan (I use a 10-inch springform pan b/c it is all I have and it works great) with non-stick cooking spray.
- Firmly press the mixture over the bottom and 1-inch up the sides on the pan, use your fingers or the smooth bottom of a glass. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.
- To prepare filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute just until smooth and free of any lumps. Gradually add the sugar and beat until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to slowly beat until combined. Stir in the vanilla and lemon zest. Blend in the sour cream. The batter should be well mixed but not overbeaten. Overbeating incorporates too much air and will cause the cake to puff when baking, then fall and crack when cooling.
- Pour filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 50-55 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle slightly, it will firm up after chilling. Be careful not to overcook! Do not do a toothpick test in the cake's center, this will make a crack. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes.
- Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours to set up. De-mold and transfer to a cake plate. Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water and wiped dry after each cut.
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 477kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 129mg, Sodium: 239mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 21g
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Recipe Source: adapted from Tyler Florence
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134 Comments on “Classic Cheesecake”
Mine cracked this is my second time making it. I made it for my sisters birthday before today and it came out flawless but it cracked tonight. I guess I’ll just have to make another one in the morning.
We served this at Thanksgiving dinner and everyone was amazed-including my mother in law who has been making cheese cake for years. Thank you for the fail proof delicious recipe!!
Very delicious! I would say if the eater isn’t a fan of lemon, to take that step put or cut it down by half. The zest of entire lemon provides a pungent lemon flavor.
Made this tonight for Saturday night, and it looks great! Should I keep it in the fridge or the freezer until then?
More than 2-3 days in advance and I would freeze it.
Mel, which is your favorite cheesecake? I’ve only made this recipe.
It’s hard to choose a favorite, but this would be right up at the top: https://www.melskitchencafe.com/vanilla-bean-white-chocolate-mousse-cheesecake-my-new-favorite-cheesecake/
I came back to this site after making the apple cranberry pie…..that frickin rocked! And my birthday is Saturday and I want cheese cake. Sometimes a girl has to do what she’s gotta do to get what she wants. Wish me luck.
Happy birthday, Carmela – and good luck! 🙂
I made this for company and they said it was the best cheesecake they had ever had.
Is this recipe like a New York style cheesecake?
Honestly, I don’t really know, but I don’t think so. The crust is much thicker I think.
For those who don’t care for lemon, try orange zest, with just a bit of orange food color if you can find it. Use chocolate flavored graham crackers and garnish with a drizzle of chocolate syrup. It’s my favorite variation of this recipe.
Hi, Mel. This recipe hasn’t been revisited for some time, so I’m wondering if this is still your go-to for a basic cheesecake…
Thanks for all you do!
Hey Laura, I haven’t made this cheesecake in years. I tend to go for the no-bake cheesecake on my site or the white chocolate vanilla bean mousse cheesecake.
Hi Mel,
Its been a long time since I commented due to “life” as a mother of 5 keeping me pretty busy! But, I had to stop by to say that I had not made cheesecake for years, in fact my 18 year old didn’t remember me ever making it! I made your classic cheesecake recipe for Valentine’s Day and it was a huge hit! Now, the same daughter, who is turning 18 today, has requested this cheesecake in lieu of a birthday cake! Yummy! I use your recipes almost daily as they are my very favorites in the world! Thank you so much for making my life easier and more delicious!
I made this yesterday in a rush (panicked call from my mom, when she dropped the one she made for a party). Misread the recipe and used only 1 cup of sour cream. It still turned out beautiful, creamy and delicious! Crust was perfect!
Have you made this or another classic type cheesecake in bar form? Tips? I love your Oreo one. My mom is wanting a cheesecake bar (add your own toopings) for our Mother’s Day dessert. Thinking bars will be easiest with a large group.
I haven’t, but I think most cheesecakes would convert pretty well to “bar” form. This is an old recipe, but it’s great for add-ins: https://www.melskitchencafe.com/cheesecake-bars/
Thanks!!
Hi Mel, have you ever made his recipe in an instant pot? I am looking for a reliable cheesecake recipe for my first go at an instant pot version… of not this one, do you have another you would recommend?
I haven’t tried that yet, sorry! I made a lemon cheesecake a while back but it’s the only one I’ve made in the IP…and it was just ok. I don’t have a super great one to recommend (yet!) – sorry!
Mel, is your sour cream room temp for this recipe? Eggs?
It definitely can be – usually I’m too lazy, though.
Is this still your current fav classic cheesecake Mel? Does it have a lemon flavor with the zest? Love your site and refer to it weekly and can say that probably 50% of my recipe binder are printouts of your recipes. <3
The lemon flavor is very slight, but it is barely there with the lemon zest. I’ve made so many other cheesecakes over the years that I don’t know if this is 100% my favorite, but it is still very delicious. Picking a favorite cheesecake would be like picking a favorite child, I think. 🙂
This was the first cheesecake I ever made and it came out perfectly! I did have to bake it an extra 15 minutes, using a 9″ pan. I loved the extra tang the sour cream imparted on the finished product. I thought the amount of crust was perfect for the amount of cheesecake – I used cinnamon graham crackers to give it a little extra flavor. I served it with a strawberry sauce and fresh berries – yum!!
I made this cheesecake as my first ever cheesecake and just thought I would leave my comments on it. It was very easy to make. I had a 9inch Spring form pan and had to bake it an extra 20 minutes but it did not Crack and the texture was wonderful. However there was way too much crust and the cheesecake itself tasted very bland to me. Maybe I like things more on the sweet side, but theven cheesecake to me had little flavor. My husband thought so as well. Not much got eaten at our thanksgiving party and the biggest comment was that there was too much crust. I wouldn’t make this again. I like to try alot of different things though so I’ll definitely be trying your other cheesecake recipes. I think next will be the cookie dough one!
Best cheesecake ever! I’ve made it over and over and always delicious. Your recipes are awesome!
Hi Mel,
I love this recipe, Cheesecake is my favorite dessert and I have been looking for new recipes to try. I have my own family recipe and it is kind of similar. I love learning about new recipes and learning how to make my favorite desserts in many different ways. I looked at some of your other recipe and look forward to trying some in the future. Have you ever been to the Cheesecake Factory because it is one of my favorite places to get cheesecake?
Yep, been there and love the cheesecake! 🙂
Mel, what’s your go to strawberry topping? Do you have a link to another dessert with the directions?
Also- are you making a thanksgiving menu again? I want some new things to add to the menu! I make many of your dishes every holiday!
Hi Cearrow – I posted a menu today actually! Or at least menu ideas. 🙂 My go-to strawberry topping is similar to what I use for homemade yogurt. 2 cups fresh or frozen fruit, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 teaspoons lemon juice – I simmer all the ingredients until thick. The exact amount of sugar can be played with depending on the type of fruit that you use.
I made this last week for people I work with. Of course I had to keep some slices home. My husband said it was the best cheesecake he ever had. The only change I made was to leave out the lemon zest. It was sooo good! Thanks.
my pan is 10 inches…will this recipe work in my pan? if not, what adjustments should be made??
Worth a try – the cheesecake layers (crust and filling) might be a bit thinner and you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Hey Mel, I made this cheesecake last week for my wife’s birthday and it was probably the best cheesecake I’ve ever made! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mel – ignore the above. I am using your recipe – but watched a video on a classic cheesecake to understand process a bit more. I am looking forward to a great result! I will let you know. 🙂
Ok, keep me posted (good luck!).
Hi Mel,
Sorry if the questions seems simplistic – but I haven’t made a cheesecake before, but I have all the fixings to make your recipe for my husband’s birthday tomorrow. Am I cooling the cheesecake in the fridge in the springform pan? Is that what you mean by demolding – taking it out of the pan? How can I do this the best way possible without causing it to break? What do you use to cover the cheesecake lightly when it is in the fridge as I would be worried about causing it to crack or smush? When I take it out of the fridge, do I just pour the cherry pie filling I got over the top and let it fall where it may? Sorry for all the questions – but I am NERVOUS about ruining it. 🙂 Thanks for your guidance!
Made this over the weekend and it turned out delicious! First cheesecake I have ever made and definitely one of the best I have ever tasted. The whole family devoured it!
This cheesecake is STILL baking!!!!! It has been way longer than 50-55 minutes. I am wondering if mel’s larger pan makes hers bake more quickly?? Also, my springform pan is very light aluminum. Maybe the darker one cooks more quickly as well? I really hope it is finished in time and cooled long enough to serve for Father’s day!!! Ahhh!
I just made this for my mom’s birthday and it was DEVOURED with seconds by everyone – including people who don’t love cheesecake! And I should mention that we’re NYers – so that’s quite an impressive recipe you have here to get that kind of result! I even made it with a gluten free crust and no one noticed. Thanks so much!
I just took this out of the oven and when I went to loosen the sides the crust is really soft like falling apart. Is that normal? Will it harden while in the fridge?
Lizzie – The crust is soft but shouldn’t be falling apart, not sure what went wrong. Hopefully it turned out well after your refrigerated it!
I made this cheesecake for the first time last year after my best friend called me raving about it! This was the first time I had ever made a cheesecake and although the first one was amazingly smooth, I thought it had far too much lemon zest. It was basically a lemon cheesecake! The second time I was much more careful and it was perfect. The third time I completely forgot the sour cream like an air head, but it still tasted wonderful. Needless to say, this is my first-ever-tried, go-to cheesecake for all occasions…when I manage to get it right. 😉
Thanks you for what you do and for this recipe! When my son requested cheesecake for his birthday I was terrified as I had never attempted it. So I read around the websites and decided on your recipe as I have been loving some of your other recipes. Anyway it came out perfect and amazing! I did take some other tips such as spraying the sides of the springform pan and cooking in a larger pan filled 1 inch with water. Everyone was so impressed – not one crack, smooth and creamy. Thanks so much!!
Do you think this cheesecake would work well baked as mini cheesecakes in cupcake liners in a muffin pan?
Nicole – yes, I think it would work great that way – obviously the baking time will be much less so keep an eye on that.
Mel,
I have drooled over this picture for years and think I’m finally am going to cave and make it. Just one question: in the picture it looks like some sort of cherry sauce over the cheesecake, is it cherry pie filling or what?
Beth – I think in that picture (it’s really old!) I was using cherry pie filling to top it.
Made this last night for our anniversary and it was amazing! First time making a cheesecake, and no cracks!
Mel, can this work in a baking pan?
(hope you can answer) I cook for just myself and don’t & never have made a cheesecake or needed a pan like this. Thanks…
Hi Lisa – the best result is to use a springform pan but you could definitely try it in a baking pan – I just never have so I can’t guarantee results.
Any thoughts on how far in advance you could make the cheesecake before devouring? A day or maybe even two? Looking forward to trying this for Father’s day!
Hi Lindsey – in my opinion cheesecake is best made ahead so yes, you could make this 1-2 days in advance with no problems.
thats 2 times 8oz cream cheese right? so a total of 16oz?
Kenny – yes, a total of 16 ounces.
Mel, my husband wants a cheesecake for his birthday but isn’t a fan of lemon. Do you think it would taste okay w the lemon omitted?? Thanks!!!
Hilary – yes, you could definitely omit the lemon. It is just a very slight hint and gives it a delicious freshness but if he hates lemon badly, just leave it out.
I know I’m echoing what everyone else has already said, but this cheesecake is awesome!! I had never made a cheesecake from scratch before so I followed your directions exactly with the addition of cooking it in a water bath…..it turned out perfect!
Made this yesterday, and it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! Thanks for the recipe!
Have you ever made this recipe and did mini cheesecakes? As in muffin tins?
Hi Keri – I’ve never made the recipe like that but I imagine it could transfer well (just significantly reduce baking time, of course).
AHHHH! cheesecake disaster. I must have done everything that I could have possibly done wrong… wrong. Sank in the middle, cracked liked a continental plate, and had mountains of crumb crust. The success of the vast majority of these posters, however, probably proves that something in my method has gotta change. Haven’t tasted it yet, but I’m sure it’ll be delish. I’ll hide the cracks with some raspberry glaze and will try this again some other time as every other recipe I’ve tried from you has been outstanding!
Djamila – I’ve never tried that, so I’m not sure! I’d be careful that you have a baking pan large enough to accommodate double the batter. You might try just baking two separate ones to make enough for the large crowd.
Hi Mel – Can’t wait to make this for my daughter’s party this weekend!
I want to make 2 in one cheesecake – Double the ingredients for a bigger cheesecake (bigger crowd) what would the baking time be for that? Thanks and can’t wait to update on the outcome..
kay – I’ve never used anything other than sour cream so I don’t know how a substitution would work. Sorry! Good luck if you try it, though.
Hi Mel, thanks for the wonderful recipe. My first cheese cake was a success 🙂 Can we use yogurt instead of sour cream because sometimes sour creams are not available in the stores nearby my place.
I made it with plain whole milk yogurt and I wouldn’t recommend it. It was grainy and watery.
Steph – it makes one 9-inch springform pan. It depends on how big you cut the slices but it could easily serve 8-10.
This cheesecake looks FANTASTIC! I’m thinking about making it for a party.
How much does one batch make?
I made this last weekend for DH who proclaimed it the most perfect cheese cake he has ever had. This is quite a high compliment as he really likes cheesecakes! Thanks for another highly successful recipe!
Im a new fan! Just tried this today and its a winner!!!! Sooooo yummy! Thanks so much. Also tried the chicken enchilada pasta and everybody loves it. Even the picky eaters.
It turned out AMAZING! I LOVE IT! Everyone also loved it too. Thank you for this amazing recipe! I will definitely be going by your recipes from now on! Im so happy I found your site, your amazing Melanie 🙂
Kayla – sorry for the delay in responding. I had a baby the day before you posted your comment and am just now checking back into answer a few questions. Did the cheesecake turn out? I avoid overbeating by mixing just until the ingredients are incorporated and not mixing at too high of speed, so yes, you could mix on low speed the entire time and be just fine. I hope you liked it!
Made this late last night to serve with dinner tonight, and it was delicious! I used whole wheat organic graham crackers, 3 cups ground and it was just right, not too crumbly as others have said. I did press very firmly, I think that helps 🙂 Also I substituted Sucanat for the sugar, and served with a raspberry puree syrup. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Oh my this looks incredible! I can’t wait to make this over the weekend along with your Southwestern Eggrolls for lunch! I had a question though, how do I avoid overbeating? How long do you suggest I beat it for on low speed after putting in the sour cream?
Also, should it be on low speed the whole time im mixing, even when im mixing in the eggs and the cream cheese in the beginning?
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get it perfect!
Wes – actually, don’t add any of the lemon juice to the filling – only the zest of the lemon. Hope that helps!
hi, Mel, as a cheesecake novice, I need help… do I add the juice of the whole lemon in the filling? does it change the baking time if the lemon juice is from a huge lemon, or should I measure how many tablespoon juice? thank you!
Hi from another Mel…made this cheesecake and it was fantastic. Shared it with some neighbors, who also loved it. My daughter said the cheesecake tasted so good on it’s own, she didn’t want the cherries on top. Thanks for a great recipe.
I think it would be delicious with a chocolate ganache, Maria. As long as the ganache is cooled when you pour it over the cheesecake, it should work (a warm ganache will make the top of the cheesecake melt a bit).
What do you think about putting a chocolate ganache on top of this?
Hi Elizabeth – both of my springform pans are the dark, nonstick kind but I’ve heard the aluminum work great also!
what kind of material is your springform pan? I was wondering whether I should get a non-stick kind or aluminum…my sister wants a cheesecake for her birthday on the 6th of February and I always come to your site when I need a recipe. All the one’s I’ve tried have been delicious!
This was my first cheesecake and it was delicious. I served the pomegranate sauce on the side and all of my guests raved about it! Thanks.
I had the same problem as Stephanie. (I only wish I would have known before making it) I made this for Thanksgiving and the crust was way too crumbly as well. I read through the comments before making it and am surprised that nobody else has commented on this. Besides this, the cheesecake is incredible. Next time I think I’ll try half has many.
Thanks Mel!
Okay, my two cents. There was a lot of crumb and I mean a lot. Could get away with probably 25 graham squares. Also, for the 40 I probably doubled the butter and it still wasn’t enough. The center of the cheese filling was runny. Hoping it firms up some more, but I doubt it. It chilled for 6 hours after I cooked it. Not sure why this wasn’t that great, but there you have it.
SOO Good.
Didn’t have enough gluten free graham crumbs, so I added in about a cup of crushed pecans, which made the crust really really delicious. This was the PERFECT recipe for hubbys birthday cake 🙂 Thanks!
I loved this Mel! I got a springform pan finally, and had to make this right away! My MIL wanted a huckleberry sauce on top so I found a recipe for that, but this was most excellent. Thanks!
Jahna – I’ve always made it plain and simple but I imagine it would work fine with mix-ins.
IS this recipe good for mix in’s like oreos?
This is now my go-to cheesecake recipe. I did add an extra 1/2 t of vanilla and 1/8 lemon juice… the zest, I didnt have and honestly scares me because I have never done it, but THIS WAS GREAT! Next time I will probably double it to make ginormous slices.
Question: I feel like it was really jiggly at 55 min and left about 10-15 min longer. Has this ever been a problem for you? or have you used a water bath with this?
Jahna – I’m glad you liked this cheesecake! I’ve never used a water bath with this particular cheesecake. Oven temperatures can vary so you probably did the right thing by baking a few minutes longer if it seemed too jiggly.
Hi Melanie,
I’m going to try this right away, but I have 2 questions before I proceed:
Is there any substitute for sour cream in this recipe?
How high was your cheesecake ( I am planning to halve the recipe to bake in a smaller pan, so I was wondering if it would be very thin)
thank you so much for the recipe..
Jo – I’ve never substituted anything for the sour cream so I can’t give my two cents about that one. The cheesecake is fairly thick – at least two inches in the center and slightly higher on the edges. If you halve the recipe, I’d definitely try to bake it in a smaller pan. Good luck!
This is my exact favorite cheesecake also!
Bon Appetit published it in June 1992 under the name Uncle Anthony´s Cheesecake (without the lemon juice) and it´s foolproof.
In that recipe (for 9 inch springform pan) the baking method was different and you might want to try it: put a pan of hot water in the bottom of a 350º oven and bake for only 30 minutes. Then, without opening the door, turn the oven off and let the cheesecake for another hour. It works everytime and never cracks.
Sometimes I program the oven and go to sleep and have a perfectly baked cheesecake that only needs a couple of hours in the fridge.
Regards (from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Just made this a couple of days ago and it was incredible. My first cheese cake and it was a total sucsess!! Thanks for the recipe and easy instructions.
Hi Mel,
I am planning on making this recipe soon…could you recommend a sauce that could go with this cheesecake? What do you normally serve it with, if anything?
n82 – I usually serve this with a simple raspberry sauce. I puree a couple of cups of raspberries, fresh or frozen (thawed and drained if frozen) with the juice of a lemon and a couple tablespoons of sugar to taste (enough to sweeten it up a bit).
Hi! I’m still trying to figure out what you mean when you say “40 squares” of graham crackers. Is a square half of the rectangular graham (which has four smaller rectangles)? Does it refer to the entire graham itself?
Pretty, Polished, Perfect – when I split a rectangular graham cracker in half, it results in two squares (at least with the Honey Maid variety). So this recipe calls for 40 of those squares, or better yet, about 20 whole graham crackers.
Hi Mel,
I too look for “the best” recipe sometimes for hours until I think I’ve come up with the best one. I made Tyler’s cheesecake before because I’ve seen him make it, it looked great and I like his style of cooking, but I must say this wasn’t my favorite cheesecake. I like a creamier cheesecake but this recipe was a bit too creamy for me. I’ve seen him make a cheesecake with a thin layer of sour cream that I think I’m going to try. By the way, your husband sounds a lot like mine when it comes to his eloquence when he tells me what he thinks about a recipe I make.
My husband has requested cheesecake for his birthday and so I am going to make this one. He also requested a raspberry sauce to go on top of it. Do you also have a good raspberry sauce recipe that would be lovely on this? Or the sauce pictured looks terrific, is it strawberry? Anyways, I was just wondering, thanks.
Made this last night for our anniversary dinner and it was delish! I had 2 giant pieces and that was after I was stuffed from dinner. I’m currently on a weight loss challenge with my sister and it ends on Saturday. I can’t wait to eat the rest of this cheesecake saturday and trust me, I will eat it all! 🙂
I’m glad I don’t need a water bath for this recipe. I’d like to try it soon. You make it sound so easy. The photo above is so tempting. Thanks for the recipe.
Utterly delicious is right! I’m addicted to your site Mel. I have tried about 10 of your recipes in the past couple of weeks and all of them have been spectacular. Thank you for sharing them with us! We had company over for dinner last night and served this cheesecake for dessert. It looked so professional and tasted perfect. In fact, don’t tell on me, but I am going to have a piece right now for breakfast. If I top it with fruit, it should count as healthy, right? Thanks again!
Thanks, Erica! I agree with your philosophy so go ahead and eat up!
Thanks, Mel! It’s baking right now. I was nice and after taking a few swipes of filling leftover in the bowl, I let my dog lick up the rest. She’s a happy camper now. 🙂
Guess what? I’m making this again for the same friend! Every time she does us a favor and I ask her what she wants, I know it’s gonna be this cheesecake every time–LOL! I’m going to have to make one just for us soon, because it’s so good I want to repost it (if that’s OK) and I haven’t been able to take pics of a slice since it’s for someone else.
Veronica – of course it’s ok for you to repost. I’m glad you love it enough to keep making it!
Thank you, BTW, for the tip on not overbeating the mixture. I did get a crack b/c a big air bubble rose up during baking and made a crack after I removed the cake from the oven. But it was a lot prettier on the surface than others I’ve made b/c I always overbeat them. Now I know the secret! Thanks.
I haven’t made a cheesecake in over 5 years b/c I love them so much I know I’ll eat the whole thing! But I have a friend that LOVES cheesecake and I made this one for her as a thank-you gift for keeping our dog while we’re on vacation (leaving tomorrow but gave it to her in advance). She loved it so much, raved about it, and when she found out I’d never made the recipe before, she had me come over to taste it for myself. Yup, it’s a keeper! This will be my go-to cheesecake recipe from now on. Thanks for sharing it–I doubt I would have found the recipe if it wasn’t on your blog.
Veronica – I’m thrilled on the outcome of this cheesecake. But first of all, let me say that you are one nice friend to make this as a thank you. I’m glad it went over so well and that your friend let you have a little taste!
idahomichele – thanks for weighing in on the overbeating issue, I’ve seen the same issue. In theory, you should be able to add about 7-8 ounces of melted chocolate to the batter but to be safe, I’d probably search foodblogsearch.com for a chocolate cheesecake recipe. Let me know if you find a good one!
I love this cheesecake– I have made it twice and I learned that over beating can happen watch the speed– trust me I had a bit of a leadfoot on the mixer the second time and I can tell. I am sure it will be just as yummy if not as pretty. Mel, I was wondering how to adapt this to make a chocolate cheesecake. . . what do you think?
Sonya – I hope you get good use out of your springform pan! I’m glad this recipe turned out AND with no cracks. You are a professional!
I made this for Valentines day and it was the first time I have ever made Cheesecake. I made a special trip to target for the pan even. The cheesecake was perfect. I have a 9 inch pan and had to bake it about 12 minutes longer, but no cracks!!! I’m already thinking of ways to add things to it. Thanks AGAIN for all the great recipes.
I’m just a beginner in baking and i used this recipe to make to my mother this cheesecake for her birthday, everyone loved it! thanks you very much.
Nagore.
Nagore – thank you! I’m so glad that this recipe worked out, especially for your mother’s birthday!
Jelli Bean – thanks for your comment! I just linked over to your blog and almost fainted when I saw your dreamy doughnut pillows. Oh my, they look delicious!
I just found your blog and I’m in love! I can’t wait to try this (among your other) cheesecake recipe! It looks delicious, and no Tyler F. recipe has ever failed me. So many cheesecakes require more c.cheese than I can afford, so this one sounds like a winner to me! Thanks so much for sharing.
oohhhh I LURVE cheesecake! I will have to make this soon. Thanks for sharing! ps. Tyler *IS* the ultimate! 😉
Made this for Father’s Day today. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! And a big THANK YOU from my hubby too!! LOL!!!
Camille – I’m glad this was a hit! Just reading your comment makes me want to make it again. It really is my favorite cheesecake. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Jackie – yes, keep the mixer speed at low the whole time (otherwise air bubbles form and can cause cracking) and I would say it is probably about 2 teaspoons lemon zest.
Hey Melanie! How are you?
I could really use your help. I want to make this cheesecake but sour cream is not available in my country. What do you suggest as a good substitute?
Pleaaaaase reply! ! :))
Hi April – you could try plain Greek yogurt.
Hi
I was wondering when mixing in all the ingredients, do I keep the speed at low the whole time I’m mixing the batter. Also I grate and freeze lemon zest, approximately how much zest is from one lemon.
The last thing I need right now is a delicious cheesecake, but I want to run home and make one now!
I have seen Tyler make this and it always looks so yummy. Now that I finally own a springform pan, I will have to try this!
I can see WHY it’s your favortie cheesecake! This looks amazingly good!
Oh Mel! It looks amazing. It looks creamy and not to thick and dry. Yum! I am officially deciding we have to have this when we get together!
Wow–that looks amazing! I will have to make this!