Description
A rich and ultra-creamy New York–style classic cheesecake with a nutty browned-butter graham cracker crust and a smooth, dense filling that’s indulgent, balanced, and timeless.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), for crust
18 full sheets graham crackers, crushed (about 2 cups crumbs)
¼ cup granulated sugar, for crust
½ teaspoon kosher salt, for crust
¾ cup full-fat sour cream
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 large egg yolk, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon kosher salt, for filling
½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), for filling
4 (8-oz) packages full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Allow cream cheese and eggs to come fully to room temperature.
- Brown ½ cup butter for the crust until golden and nutty. Let cool slightly.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Stir in browned butter until evenly moistened.
- Press crust firmly into the bottom and sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake crust at 325°F (165°C) for 12 minutes. Cool completely.
- Brown the remaining ½ cup butter for the filling and let cool.
- In a bowl, beat sour cream, eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Slowly mix in cooled browned butter.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese until completely smooth. Add sugar and mix just until combined.
- Gently mix sour cream mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
- Pour filling into cooled crust and tap pan gently to release air bubbles.
- Bake at 325°F with steam in the oven for about 1 hour until edges are set and the center slightly jiggles.
- Turn off oven and let cheesecake cool inside with the door closed.
- Refrigerate for several hours until fully chilled before slicing and serving.
Notes
Room-temperature ingredients are essential for a smooth texture.
Steam helps prevent cracks without needing a water bath.
Cool slowly to avoid sudden temperature changes.
Chill at least 8 hours for best flavor and structure.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
