Easy Homemade Joy Of Cooking Cheesecake Recipe That Melts Hearts

A Joy of Cooking’s cheesecake represents the pinnacle of dessert craftsmanship, blending creamy textures with delicate flavors that dance across your palate.

Smooth and luxurious, this classic dessert transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that captivates sweet lovers everywhere.

Bakers treasure such recipes for their elegant simplicity and crowd-pleasing potential.

Rich and velvety, the dessert promises a decadent experience that elevates any gathering or personal indulgence.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the recipe balances technical skill with comforting familiarity.

Each slice tells a story of careful preparation and delightful precision.

Passionate home cooks understand that creating this dessert requires patience, technique, and a genuine love for baking: prepare to impress.

Cheesecake Recipe Ingredient List

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Classic base for cheesecake with a sweet, crumbly texture.
• Butter: Helps bind the crust and provides rich flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creamy base that gives cheesecake its signature smooth texture, best when at room temperature.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the tangy flavor.
• Cornstarch: Helps prevent cracking and provides a smoother texture.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrusy flavor to the cheesecake.

• Eggs: Provides structure and helps bind the cheesecake, important to mix gently to prevent cracking.

Step-by-Step Cheesecake Recipe Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Blend melted butter and graham cracker crumbs until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and partially up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.

Step 2: Set Up the Baking Environment

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Place a small pan filled halfway with hot water on the lower oven rack to create a moisture-rich baking environment and prevent cracking.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Lime juice

Mix until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs Carefully

• Mix just until smooth
• Fold in Key lime juice by hand
• Avoid overmixing to prevent cracks

Pour the batter into the prepared crust.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 55 to 65 minutes until the cheesecake is set but slightly jiggly in the center.

Step 6: Cooling Technique

Turn off the oven and crack the door open about 4 inches. Let the cheesecake rest inside for 30 minutes, allowing it to cool gradually.

Step 7: Final Chill

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Helpful Tips for Cheesecake Recipe

• Minimize Air Bubbles: Gently fold batter at low speed to prevent excessive rising and potential cracking during baking.
• Create Creamy Shield: Surround springform pan with hot water halfway up its sides for even, protective heat distribution.
• Boost Citrus Punch: Finely grate fresh lime zest to ensure vibrant, balanced flavor throughout the entire cheesecake.
• Detect Perfect Doneness: Remove cheesecake when center remains slightly jiggly, allowing residual heat to complete the cooking process.
• Master Gradual Cooling: Turn off oven, leave door slightly open for 30 minutes, then transfer to wire rack before refrigerating to prevent unsightly surface cracks.

Helpful Tips for Cheesecake RecipeStorage

• Airtight Container Method: Place cooled cheesecake in a deep, hard-sided container with a tight-sealing lid. Prevents moisture loss and protects delicate texture from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Wrap and Seal Method: Create a protective barrier using plastic wrap directly touching the cheesecake surface, then add an outer layer of aluminum foil. Blocks potential freezer burn and maintains pristine flavor profile during storage.
• Individual Slice Technique: Separate remaining cheesecake into individual portions before storing. Allows easier thawing, reduces potential waste, and provides convenient grab-and-eat options for quick dessert cravings.

Twists on Cheesecake Recipe

• Tropical Paradise: Swap Key lime juice with passion fruit puree for a vibrant, exotic flavor. Top with fresh mango slices and toasted coconut flakes to enhance the tropical vibe.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Replace graham cracker crust with crushed chocolate cookies. Mix melted dark chocolate into the cheesecake batter and drizzle chocolate ganache on top after cooling.
• Berry Bliss: Fold fresh raspberries or blueberries into the cheesecake batter. Create a quick berry compote to spread over the top, adding bright color and tangy sweetness to the creamy base.
• Salted Caramel Indulgence: Swirl homemade salted caramel sauce into the cheesecake batter before baking. Garnish with additional caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes for a decadent finish.

Cheesecake Recipe Recap

Key lime cheesecake whispers tropical paradise with its creamy, tangy essence.

Silky smooth textures meld classic dessert techniques with zesty Florida citrus charm.

Graham cracker crusts provide delightful crunch against rich cream cheese layers.

Culinary magic happens when carefully mixed ingredients create perfect balance between sweet and tart sensations.

Baker’s precision ensures a crack-free, luxurious dessert that celebrates summer’s favorite flavors.

Passionate palates will devour each incredible slice – so snap a photo, share this recipe’s deliciousness across social platforms, and let lime-lovers unite in pure cheesecake bliss.

What Makes Cheesecake Recipe Special

• Craft a Crack-Free Creamy Delight: The recipe's water bath technique and gentle mixing method ensure a perfectly smooth, crack-free cheesecake that's a baker's dream come true.
• Zesty Lime Twist: The addition of Key lime juice transforms a classic cheesecake into a tangy, refreshing dessert that dances on your taste buds with bright, citrusy flavor.
• Effortless Elegance in Under Two Hours: This straightforward recipe delivers a professional-looking dessert with minimal effort, making it perfect for home bakers who want to impress without spending all day in the kitchen.

Joy Of Cooking Cheesecake Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy New York-style cheesecake brings classic dessert magic to your table. Rich cream cheese blends with sweet vanilla and graham cracker crust, promising indulgent slices that invite pure dessert pleasure.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
• ⅔ cup (160 milliliters) key lime juice

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) graham cracker crumbs
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) butter, melted

Flavoring and Thickening Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Pulverize graham crackers into fine crumbs and blend thoroughly with melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Firmly press the crumb mixture into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch (23-centimeter) springform pan, creating an even, compact base. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.
2. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit). Position a shallow water bath in the lower rack by placing a metal or ceramic pan filled halfway with hot water, which helps prevent surface cracking and ensures uniform baking of the cheesecake.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and fresh lime juice. Use an electric mixer to blend the ingredients until the mixture becomes silky smooth and free of lumps, scraping down the sides of the bowl periodically.
4. Incorporate eggs into the cream cheese mixture one at a time, gently mixing on low speed after each addition. Fold in the key lime juice manually to maintain the batter’s delicate texture. Avoid overmixing to prevent potential surface cracks during baking.
5. Carefully pour the prepared batter into the prepared graham cracker crust, ensuring an even distribution and smooth surface.
6. Bake the cheesecake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken.
7. After baking, turn off the oven and crack the door open approximately 4 inches. Allow the cheesecake to rest inside the warm oven for 30 minutes, which helps prevent sudden temperature changes that can cause cracking.
8. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight to achieve optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Gradually cool your cheesecake by turning off the oven and leaving the door slightly open, allowing a gentle temperature transition that prevents sudden structural changes.
• Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, to develop rich, deep flavors and achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
• Remove the cheesecake from the oven when the center maintains a subtle wobble, understanding that residual heat continues the cooking process.
• Use finely grated fresh lime zest to infuse the batter with vibrant, bright citrus notes that complement the rich cream cheese base.
• Create a water bath by placing the springform pan inside a larger pan filled with hot water, ensuring the liquid reaches halfway up the sides for even, gentle heat distribution.
• Mix the batter at low speed to minimize air incorporation, preventing potential rising and subsequent cracking during the baking process.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 451 kcal
• Sugar: 39 g
• Sodium: 265 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 113 mg