I came up with this because I wanted simple, but elegant too.  I wanted the taste of restaurant cheesecake, but something simple to prepare--because I did not want to measure the sour cream, I dumped in the whole container. I also did not want to bake for an hour, so that is where the 30 minute shut-off of the oven comes into play. I shut off the oven and do not open door for 6 hours or leave in oven all night. This will get you great reviews from friends. You also will not order cheesecake out again. If it cracks, garnish with fruit to hide the cracks.

Perfect Cheesecake Everytime

graham crackers

white sugar

cinnamon

pecans

butter

(8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

eggs

sugar

vanilla extract

(16 ounce) container sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk together the crushed graham crackers, the 1 teaspoon sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts. Stir in the butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.


Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven; allow crust to cool.


Beat the cream cheese with the eggs on medium-low with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the 1 cup sugar and vanilla. Fold in the sour cream just until blended. Do not overmix; ovemixing causes the cheesecake to crack. Pour into the cooled crust.


Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn oven off. When the cheesecake has reached room temperature, chill in refrigerator for 8 hours before serving.


Cheesecakemama, you sure have earned your moniker! I admit, I was skeptical about the baking method as well as the large amount of sour cream for just two packages of cream cheese. But you were right - this turned out perfectly just as you said it would! This is a light and creamy cheesecake, far different from some of the more dense, heavy and kind of dry  cheesecakes. You were right on about the cheesecake not cracking too! Your recipe is perfect for any baker, novice or experienced. For my own preference, however, the crust was a little thicker than I would like, so next time it will be easy enough to cut it back to maybe one cup of crumbs to suit my tastes, but others may like it just as is. Delicious on it's own or with any variety of toppings, I served this with Supreme Strawberry Topping, recipe also from this site.  I'm so happy your wonderful recipe got published - not just for you, but for the hundreds of home bakers I know are going to be pleased with it too!

I used cinnamon grahams and chopped pecans, as cheesecakemama recommended in her own review/update of her recipe. I made no other changes. First attempt at a real-real cheesecake and honestly, I don't know why I was so worried about making one. It's really not all that difficult. I followed the directions exact. When the cheesecake was finished cooling, I spread Supreme Strawberry Topping all over the top, as my sister in law LOVES strawberry cheesecake. No idea how it tastes, but just because it was so simple and not scary to prepare, it's earned all five stars. I'll update my review once I hear from my SIL how much she loved it. NOTE: She loved it, as did my brother in law. Rock on! This one's a keeper.

I am the submitter of this recipe.  I use pecans not walnuts, but you can use any kind of nuts you like in the crust or leave them out, it just gives it more texture.  You can change up the recipe and use different things for the crust, shortbread cookies or oreos come to mind.  You can also add different flavors to the cheesecake, use my recipe as a base and have some fun!  I recently have discovered for a short cut if I add another cup of sour cream to the recipe and use the 2 of the ready made crusts.  I have a great dessert really quick for a carryin or party.  Remember it freezes well, freeze in slices for a special treat.  Enjoy!  

The proportions of your ingredients is almost exactly the same as the recipe I've used for years, so I'm sure it's great, BUT yikes!  I teach food safety, and I would never recommend leaving anything with eggs or dairy products in an oven overnight or at room temperature for as many hours.  CAUTION!  Finish cooking, and refrigerate after it cools.  Otherwise, you'll be playing kitchen roulette!

I had a hard time deciding on a rating for this cheesecake ... I give 3 stars for "average" recipes that I might or might not try again.  This cheesecake could be spectacular - for someone who likes very light, airy cheesecake.  My husband and I prefer a denser, NY-type cake.  I knew this wasn't going to be incredibly dense by the ratio of cream cheese and sour cream, but I guess I didn't expect it to be SO very light.  It was very easy to throw together and neither of us is complaining about having to eat the rest of it, but I won't make it again.  So 4 stars for what it is: a light, airy, fluffy, tangy *slightly* reminiscent of a pudding dessert, but 3 stars for what it was in comparison to what we consider a cheesecake.

I'd never made a cheesecake before in my life but finally got nerve enough to try one. I reviewed many but settled on this one because it seemed simple and straightforward. While it was relatively simple the flavor was anything but. This cheesecake was fantastic and certainly a crowd-pleaser. I'll be making this again and again.

This was simply the BEST and easiest cheesecake I have ever made!!  I always make NY style, and thought that was the end all to be all UNTIL I was recommended this one!!  To die for! Didn't change a thing, except that I baked it for 45 mins. and then shut the oven off and let it sit overnight! Made some strawberries and glaze to top it off with whipped cream, and VOILA!!! Perfection!  Thanks Cheesecakemama! You truly live up to your name!

I am not a fan of cheesecake but my mother loves it. I made this for her as a surprise welcome home dessert when she was sent to Ohio recently for a training seminar for work. After she got done raving about how wonderful the texture and flavor of this cheesecake are she convinced me to take a small taste. I immediately went into the kitchen and cut a big piece for myself afterwards! Excellent recipe that I will absolutely make again and again!

Hello old friend! I made your wonderful cheesecake for my son in law's birthday cake and it was PERFECT! I'm so happy to be able to finally add a review to this fantastic recipe! I wouldn't change a THING! The flavor was spectacular and the appearance was... well PERFECT! I'm glad AR finally published your wonderful recipe!

Simple and delicious cheesecake that easily is excellent on its own! 

perfect cheesecake everytime

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total: 14 hours, 80 minutes

Servings: 5

Cost: $10.58 /serving

Author : Cheesecakemama

Ingredients

Instructions

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