MARTHASTEWART.COM

Classic Cheesecake

A crumbly graham cracker crust and silky cream cheese filling make this New York-style cheesecake a winner.
Everyday Food, April 2009
  • Prep Time 20 minutes
  • Total Time 2 hours, plus chilling
  • Yield Serves 12
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Ingredients

  • For Crust

    • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus room-temperature butter for pan
    • 12 graham crackers (3-by-5 inch)
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • For Filling

    • 2 1/2 pounds bar cream cheese, room temperature
    • 1 1/2 cups sugar
    • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 cup sour cream

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make crust: Butter a 9-by-3-inch springform pan. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers until fine crumbs form; add melted butter, sugar, and salt, and pulse to combine. Press crumb mixture into bottom and about 1 inch up side of pan. Bake until set, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven to 325 degrees.

  2. Set a kettle of water to boil. Make filling: Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese on medium until fluffy, scraping down side of bowl. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy. Beat in lemon zest and juice, and salt. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down side of bowl after each addition. Beat in sour cream.

  3. Wrap bottom half of pan in foil. Pour in filling; place in a roasting pan. Pour in boiling water to come halfway up side of springform. Bake until just set in center, about 1 3/4 hours. Remove pan from water; let cool 20 minutes. Run a paring knife around edge; let cool completely. Cover; chill overnight before serving.

Recipe Reviews

  • bsosa
    16 Dec, 2012

    me parece muy practica

  • Aaron12
    13 Nov, 2012

    Hi, does anyone know what difference salt makes to the cheesecake. which factor does it specifically affect - the taste or texture?
    And, does anyone know how heavy the finished cheesecake is?

    cheers(:

  • Aaron12
    13 Nov, 2012

    Hi, does anyone know th difference salt makes to the recipe. is the taste or texture affected by the presence of salt in the cheese cake?
    and does anyone know what is the exact weight of the completed cheesecake? (:

    cheers

  • Aaron12
    13 Nov, 2012

    Hi, does anyone know th difference salt makes to the recipe. is the taste or texture affected by the presence of salt in the cheese cake?
    and does anyone know what is the exact weight of the completed cheesecake? (:

    cheers

  • Tammy Gerardot
    12 Nov, 2012

    How can I keep the top of my cheesecake from turing golden brown?

  • Naishopa757
    20 Sep, 2012

    Several days ago, I was fortunate enough to watch Martha demonstrating this recipe, on her morning show. I tried it and much to my surprise, I was simply amazed at the taste, texture and creaminess of the recipe. I garnished the cheesecake with strawberries, chilled overnight, and then served them to some friends. The water bath kept the cheesecake from cracking and the sauce looked beautiful on top of the cake. Following her instructions, it came out perfect if not, better then hers.

  • ljwaldron
    16 Jul, 2012

    BTW, I used 5 8oz pkgs of cream cheese. Martha demonstrated this on her show, and that's how many she used also.

  • ljwaldron
    16 Jul, 2012

    I used this recipe to teach my 12 year old grandson how to make cheesecake. It's not complicated and teaches basic steps in preparation. Not everything comes out of a box! It's rewarding to have something so amazing as a finished product. The flavor is amazing. Not easy waiting for it to chill completely before diving in!

  • bellaluna915
    23 Jun, 2012

    q

  • tonythompson
    2 Dec, 2011

    BSinME, the amount of cream cheese is correct. As stated earlier it is 5- 8oz packages. This recipe is perfect, I make it all the time and I several other recipes that call for similar amounts of cream cheese.

  • BSinME
    20 Nov, 2011

    Aalley, I know this is late, but I hope it helps. At first glance I thought it said 2 1/2 pounds of cream cheese. I have NEVER seen a recipe that calls for anything close to that. I looked again and it does seem to mean 2 8 oz packages. 2 or 3 packages is the norm. Will be trying this recipe this week.

  • katre22
    31 Aug, 2011

    *droooool*, this looks so good! I totally have the problem of my cheesecakes sinking in the middle all the time. I ran across a really good photographic step-by-step article of how to do a water bath - it is UNBELIEVABLE how much of a difference it makes. I tried it on my last cheesecake, and it turned out completely smooth and straight on top. http://www.cheesecakesmadeeasy.com/the-water-bath-technique/

  • jess83
    24 Jul, 2011

    This is the most perfect NY style cheesecake I've ever made! If you follow all of the baking instructions exactly and allowing the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature and then putting in refrigerator overnight, you have no cracks and perfect texture! I have made this recipe several times now, flawless every time! My family, friends, and I love it. I like to make a couple and serve with several topping options. Delicious!!!

  • auditgirl2
    5 Apr, 2011

    Love this cheesecake makde some modifications. Check it out on my blog http://loveandpastry.blogspot.com/2011/03/peanut-buttercup-cheesecake.html

  • hayarsalane
    19 Mar, 2011

    Wow thanks a lot for this recipe its delicious and and very easy to make.
    greetings from Germany

  • SBrasil
    12 Mar, 2011

    How do I keep the top of my cheesecake from turning golden brown?? I want it to look like the picture and be the same color throughout, but the top is always golden brown! Should I cover it?? HELP!!!

  • watscookn
    19 Jan, 2011

    aalley2, there are 16 oz in a pound so you need 5 (8oz) packs of cream cheese for this recipe. Good luck!

  • aalley2
    19 Jan, 2011

    Does 2 1/2 pounds mean 2 - 8oz packs of cream cheese? I looks to me that 2 1/2 could mean a couple different things, but since I have never seen any bigger than 8 0z, that is what I would go with. Places like Sam's Club probably sell huge bars of cream cheese!

  • isaiahmybaby
    12 Jan, 2011

    This cheesecake is the best by far I love it and it was very easy to make I most definitely recommend it its delicious once u get this recipe no need to look any further for one its absolutely awesome.

  • MG_Laura
    17 Dec, 2010

    This is by far the best cheesecake I have ever made! Highly recommend it!

  • ahmz
    14 Dec, 2010

    Very Inspiring and Truly Exceptional - is all that I can say. thanks http://ahmz-homecooking.blogspot.com

  • j1222lo
    20 Nov, 2010

    this was the perfect cheese cake ever.... loved it

  • zozoaraby
    6 Oct, 2010

    I'm zozo from Egypt i adore u Martha I'd like to make this cake at home and i like American food

  • stephmonster87
    3 Mar, 2010

    Vegan alternative! think of it as healthy cheesecake http://www.fourgreensteps.com/community/recipes/desserts-a-goodies-/vega...

  • mhanley
    21 Feb, 2010

    This cake is great! It looks like something I made - check out my blog: mysistercooks.com!

  • EliandMarcio2012
    13 Jan, 2010

    This cheesecake is just wonderful. Easy and delicious. Anyone will love it.

  • tdgutman
    29 Dec, 2009

    I made this for Christmas

  • lisamaria
    21 Nov, 2009

    I give up..I tried 3 times and only one showed upt and it wasn't even a comment. Sorry!

  • lisamaria
    21 Nov, 2009

    Is this working? I keep typing comments and they don't show up.

  • andi928
    14 Jul, 2009

    i've made this recipe twice now..and people FREAK OUT at how good it is. experienced cheesecake eaters have said it was the best cheesecake they had ever had! highly recommend it. and it's easy to make too!

  • LourdesFlorida
    3 Jul, 2009

    This recipe is excellent, easy to make, and it is very moist, I highly recommend this recipe, enjoy.