New York cheesecake

New York cheesecake

1 h 30 min
• Cooking time 1 h
Discover the timeless delight of a baked New York cheesecake – a culinary classic that needs little introduction. Our easy recipe yields a buttery biscuit base and a generous layer of decadent cream cheese filling, providing the perfect balance of textures and flavours. Decorated with jam and juicy, fresh blackberries for a simple but tasty finishing touch.
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https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/new-york-cheesecake/

Instructions

Biscuit base
  • Preheat the oven to 170°C (conventional oven).
  • Crush biscuits and mix with melted butter and sugar to form a smooth dough.
  • Press the dough into the base of a 24 cm diameter springform pan and bake for about 5-8 minutes. Let it cool.
Filling
  • Mix cream cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth using an electric mixer.
  • Add eggs one at a time. Then add crème fraiche, lemon juice, and sugar.
  • Preheat the oven to 165°C (conventional oven).
  • Pour the filling over the biscuit base and bake for about 1 hour.
  • Turn off the oven, open the oven door slightly, and let the cake cook further in the residual heat for about an hour (this prevents cracks from forming on the surface).
  • Leave the finished cheesecake in the springform pan, wrap it in cling film, and put it in the fridge for a few hours.
To serve
  • Serve the New York cheesecake as it is or with jam and fresh blackberries on top.
Enjoy!
Tips

Even though you have to open the oven door after baking and let it sit like that for a further 1 hour, do not open the door while baking. The sudden temperature changes can cause cracks, so keep it closed until it has finished baking.

Tips

To achieve a smooth, lump-free filling, whisk the cream cheese until creamy before adding the other ingredients. Avoid overbeating once the eggs are added, as too much air can cause the cheesecake to rise and fall or crack.

Questions about New York cheesecake

Are you ready to try your hands at this classic New York-style dessert? If you want more details before you start, read our answers to some frequently asked questions below.

Is New York cheesecake baked?
Yes, New York cheesecake is baked. It is what gives it its characteristic texture and flavour. When baked, the cream cheese filling thickens and sets, creating its signature dense, rich, and creamy texture. It also induces subtle caramelisation of sugars, contributing to a deeper, more nuanced flavour profile. The slow, controlled baking allows the ingredients to meld harmoniously, ensuring a smooth, velvety consistency that is typical for the classic New York style.
Can you freeze New York cheesecake?
Yes, the dense texture from baking makes New York cheesecake well-suited for freezing. It might be a bit denser after thawing, but in general, it handles freezing quite well. Let it cool to room temperature, then wrap it tightly in cling film and foil to prevent freezer burn and odour absorption. Wrap it either in slices or the whole cake. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Does New York cheesecake have a crust?
Yes, it typically has a crust. Often, it is made from digestive biscuits or graham crackers, crushed, and mixed with melted butter and sugar to create a firm, cohesive base. The crust is often pre-baked to make it sturdy enough to hold the substantial cream cheese filling.
What makes New York cheesecake different?
New York cheesecake stands out for its rich, dense, and creamy texture. This is primarily due to the high proportion of cream cheese compared to other types of cheesecake. It often includes sour cream or crème fraiche, just like in our recipe, adding a tangy flavour and making it even creamier. It is typically less sweet, focusing on the cream cheese flavour, and served plain or with simple toppings like fruit or jam, highlighting its characteristic creamy richness, whereas other types often have a gel layer on top or a lot of toppings to decorate it.

Ingredients

Biscuit base
Digestive biscuits
200 g
Butter
125 g
Sugar
1 tbsp
Filling
Cream cheese
600 g
Sugar
300 ml
Wheat flour
1½ tbsp
Eggs
4
Creme fraiche
200 g
Lemon juice
2 tsp
Sugar
2 tbsp
Garnish
Jam
Blackberries
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Try a baked New York cheesecake – a true classic

Indulge in the timeless delight of a baked cheesecake with this easy and delicious recipe. This iconic cheesecake is a true classic, celebrated for its luxurious creaminess and rich flavour. With a buttery biscuit base and a generous layer of luscious cream cheese filling, it is a dessert that captures the essence of everything indulgent and sophisticated. Enjoy the contrast between the delicate, subdued colours of the crust and filling and the dark, bright colours of the jam and blackberry topping, making for a beautiful as well as tasty addition to any moment you want a sweet treat.

A pleasant biscuit base

A great cake needs a solid foundation, and here, it is a classic digestive biscuit crust. Its buttery and slightly crumbly texture provides a sturdy and flavourful base that perfectly complements the dense, velvety filling. Together, the crust and filling create a delightful contrast of textures in every bite, making this cheesecake a truly indulgent experience.

A generous layer of rich cream cheese filling

At the heart of this cheesecake lies a thick, dense, and utterly delicious layer of rich cream cheese filling. The filling is unbelievably creamy and baked to perfection, offering a delectable mouthfeel that will leave you wanting more. With the addition of crème fraiche, it stands out from other cheesecakes in terms of taste and texture. A touch of lemon juice gives it a subtle zing, allowing the cream cheese flavour to take centre stage.

What is New York cheesecake?

A New York cheesecake is usually simple in its flavours, often only with a hint of vanilla or lemon to enhance the taste of the cream cheese. The crust is typically made from biscuits, butter, and sugar, which is baked slightly before the filling is added, creating a crunchy and firm bottom to hold the dense filling. This special type of cheesecake is popular all over the world for its dense, rich, and smooth consistency. It is creamy but firm, and it gets this characteristic due to two key factors: it is baked and holds much more cream cheese than other cheesecake varieties. Baking also changes the flavour in addition to creating the characteristic dense texture. Baking allows for a subtle caramelisation of the sugars and a deeper flavour development that you cannot get in no-bake versions. Overall, New York cheesecake is widely celebrated for its rich taste and luxurious texture. Do you want to try other cheesecakes? Then have a look at our no-bake Easter cheesecake with lemon, rich chocolate cheesecake with raspberry coulis, or cheesecake with carrot mousse and cream cheese filling.

Serve as a dessert or in the afternoon with a cup of tea or coffee

This classic dessert is perfect to serve for various occasions. Make it the dazzling end to a fancy meal for guests or serve it in a casual setting in the afternoon with a cup of your favourite tea or freshly brewed coffee. Whether it is a special celebration, a cosy gathering, or a moment to treat yourself, our New York cheesecake is a versatile treat that adds a touch of elegance to the table.

Add flavouring or personalise the topping

To put a spin on the classic version, you can use Oreo cookies or chocolate biscuits for the crust instead of digestive biscuits. You can also decorate the cake with other berries than blackberries or give it a caramel sauce drizzle. For a twist to the filling, make a fruit swirl by adding a thin layer of fruit compote, such as raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry, on top of the cheesecake filling before baking. Swirl it with a knife for a marbled effect. Make sure not to add too much compote as it might cause the mixture to split when baking. You can also gently fold chocolate chips into the filling or add lemon zest for a subtle citrusy twist in addition to the lemon juice.

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