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Best Classic Cheesecake

Best Classic Cheesecake

From the graham cracker crust to the dreaded water bath, we've got all the tips here that you’ll need to become a classic cheesecake expert.

TIME
8 hr
DIFFICULTY
EASY
SERVES
08

Written method

7 steps

Crust

01 / 02
01
Preheat oven to 325°. Grease an 8" or 9" springform pan with cooking spray.
  • 1 TSPvegetable oil cooking spray
02
In a large bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, granulated sugar, and salt until combined (mixture should resemble wet sand). Press into bottom and up sides of prepared pan.
  • 9graham crackers, crushed
  • 6 TBSPunsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 CUPgranulated sugar
  • 1 PINCHkosher salt
03
Bake crust until fragrant and edges start to darken in color, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Filling

02 / 02
04
In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed (or in the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until no lumps remain. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition to incorporate, then fold in sour cream and vanilla. Add flour and salt and beat until just combined. Pour mixture into crust.
  • 32 OZcream cheese, softened
  • 1 CUPgranulated sugar
  • 3eggs
  • 1/4 CUPsour cream
  • 1 TSPpure vanilla extract
  • 2 TBSPflour wheat all-purpose enriched bleached
  • 1/4 TSPkosher salt
05
Wrap bottom of pan in foil and place in a large roasting pan. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of springform pan.
06
Bake cheesecake until center only slightly jiggles, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Turn off oven, prop open door, and let cool in oven, about 1 hour.
07
Remove foil. Refrigerate cheesecake until chilled, at least 5 hours or up to overnight.
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Best Classic Cheesecake