Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes Classic Cheesecake 3.7 (1,579) 70 Reviews By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 21, 2022 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 2 hrs Servings: 12 A silky cream cheese filling and a crumbly graham cracker crust make this dessert a winner for all kinds of celebrations. The ingredient list for this classic cheesecake recipe is quite short and the steps quite easy. It's baked in a springform pan using a water bath so the rich filling cooks gently. Adding lemon zest and juice to the filling gives a fresh flavor that offsets the richness. We also like to serve the cheesecake with berries or a fruit sauce. Ingredients For Crust 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus room-temperature butter for pan 12 graham crackers (3-by-5 inch) ¼ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon coarse salt For Filling 2 ½ pounds bar cream cheese, room temperature 1 ½ cups sugar 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon coarse salt 4 large eggs 1 cup sour cream Directions 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. 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. 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. Jonny Valiant Print