Description
Whipping up Easy Philadelphia Cheesecake is a delightful way to treat yourself and your loved ones to a classic dessert. Smooth cream cheese, a buttery graham cracker crust, and simple ingredients come together for a dessert that always brings smiles to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
Sweeteners and Binding:
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 325°F and generously coat a 9-inch springform pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Melt ½ cup unsalted butter and combine it thoroughly with 2 cups graham cracker crumbs until the mixture feels like damp sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly across the bottom and slightly up the sides of your prepared pan, creating an even layer.
- Slide the crust into the 325°F oven and bake for exactly 10 minutes, then remove and allow it to cool completely.
- Using an electric mixer, cream 32 ounces (4 packages) of cream cheese until silky and completely smooth.
- Gradually incorporate 1 cup white sugar into the cream cheese, mixing until the texture becomes uniform with zero lumps.
- Add 4 large eggs individually, blending on low speed after each egg to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Gently fold in 1 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, ¼ cup flour, and ¼ tsp salt until just combined.
- Transfer the batter onto your prepared crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer.
- Position the springform pan on a large baking sheet to catch any potential drips during baking.
- Bake at 325°F for 60-70 minutes until the center looks nearly set but still shows a slight wobble when gently shaken.
- Switch off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door slightly ajar for 1 additional hour.
- Extract the cheesecake and let it reach complete room temperature naturally.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, to achieve optimal texture.
- Before serving, carefully run a knife around the edges and detach the springform pan sides.
Notes
- Always let cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Wrap the springform pan’s exterior with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in during baking.
- For a crack-free surface, avoid overmixing the batter and bake in a water bath for gentle, even heating.
- Dietary modifications work well: swap graham crackers for gluten-free versions or use low-fat cream cheese for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Cheesecakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 452 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg