Step 1

Use a 6 or 7 inch x 3 inch cheesecake pan (I use a 7” Fat Daddio's Push Pan (affiliate), but you can use a springform pan as well. Whatever will fit comfortably in your pressure cooker).***

Step 2

Spray the pan with baking spray. If you have parchment paper, cut a piece to fit the bottom of your pan and spray that too (or use Worthy Parchment Liners (affiliate). When using the 6" pan, you can line the sides with parchment to make a retaining wall as the filling will rise up a bit. Just cover the pan a little looser than you would with the 7".

Step 3

Put 1 1/2 cups of cold water in the inner liner of the pressure cooker.

Step 4

Put the trivet in the pot as well.

Step 5

Usually made with aluminum foil, used to get the cheesecake in and out of the pot easily.

Step 6

Fold a 28” length of foil along the long end 3 times. You will end up with a sling that is 28” x 3”

Step 7

Place the graham crackers and sugar in a food processor.

Step 8

Pulse several times until the cookies turn into fine crumbs.

Step 9

Add the melted butter and pulse several times to combine and soften the crumbs. You may need to scrape the bowl of the food processor and pulse a few more times.

Step 10

Pour crust mixture into your prepared pan and use your fingers or the bottom of a small glass to press the mixture into place. Cover the entire bottom of the pan and come up the sides a little. You do not have to come all the way up the sides. You want the crust to be about 1/4” thick or so.

Step 11

Put the pan in the freezer to chill and firm up while you prepare the cheesecake filling.

Step 12

Clean the crust residue out of the food processor.

Step 13

Add the room temperature cream cheese and sugar and process until smooth and creamy.

Step 14

Add the vanilla, heavy cream, and corn starch, orange zest, and lemon zest, if using.

Step 15

Pulse several times until well combined and creamy.

Step 16

Add the room temperature eggs last. Pulse a few short bursts until just combined. If you whip the eggs too much the cheesecake will puff up and won’t have the right consistency.

Step 17

Take the crust from the freezer and pour the filling into the pan.

Step 18

Place the pan on a trivet/rack with handles and put it in the pot.

Step 19

(If using a sling) Lay the sling out and set the pan on it, centered. Gather up the two ends and very carefully lift the pan and set it in the pressure cooker, leaving the sling with it. Just fold over the two ends of the sling to the side of the pan.

Step 20

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.

Step 21

Press the Manual (or Pressure Cook) button and then the + or - button to choose 27 minutes, High pressure (Cook 5 minutes longer when using the 6" pan).

Step 22

When cook cycle ends, let the cooker naturally release pressure for 15 minutes. Then manually release any remaining pressure.

Step 23

When the pin drops and it is safe to open the lid.

Step 24

(If using a sling) Gather up the two ends of the sling and VERY carefully lift the cheesecake pan out of the cooker and onto a cooling rack.

Step 25

Cheesecake is done when it jiggles just a little (mostly in the center) when the pan is shook. You don't want waves. It will firm up in the fridge. If it looks to liquid, cover it back up and cook for another 5 minutes, and let naturally release for 10 minutes.

Step 26

Let cool for an hour, then put the sour cream layer on cheesecake.

Step 27

In a bowl, mix together the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. Mix very well to start sugar dissolving.

Step 28

Spread the sour cream layer on while the cheesecake is still warm, but not hot.

Step 29

Put the cheesecake, still in the pan, into the fridge to set-up and chill for at least 4 hours before serving. I prefer to make my cheesecake in the evening and let it cool overnight.

Step 30

Remove from the push pan by setting the pan on top of a large can and pushing the pan straight down. The pan will slide down and the bottom with the cheesecake on it will stay atop the can. Slide cheesecake onto a serving dish.

Step 31

Serve as is, which is very delicious, or top with berries, Blueberry Compote, Caramel Sauce, Lemon Curd, or whatever you like.