USA · North America

New York Cheesecake

Dense, rich, and crack-free thanks to the gentlest possible bake.

Intermediate#8 most lovedUses: Water-Bath (Bain-Marie) Heating
New York style cheesecakewater bath cheesecake

The Chemistry in This Bake

Baking the cheesecake in a pan set inside a larger pan of hot water — indirect heat prevents cracking, exactly like a water bath protects a heat-sensitive lab sample.

Learn the full technique →

Ingredients

  • Cream cheese
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Heavy cream
  • Sour cream
  • Vanilla extract
  • Graham crackers
  • Butter

Method

  1. Crush graham crackers, mix with melted butter, and press into a springform pan.

  2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until completely smooth with no lumps.

  3. Add eggs one at a time on low speed, then stir in cream, sour cream, and vanilla.

  4. Wrap the pan in foil and set it inside a larger roasting pan.

  5. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the springform.

  6. Bake at 160 °C for about 75 minutes, then cool gradually and chill overnight.