Cheesecake Recipe – Shugary Sweets

Make the perfect cheesecake with this vanilla cheesecake recipe! This step-by-step tutorial has all of our tips and tricks for making the best ever cheesecake. Simple, creamy, and delicious!

We love this basic cheesecake. In the mood for other flavors? Try our chocolate cheesecake and our lemon cheesecake too!

Why This Cheesecake is Best

Everyone should have a go-to cheesecake recipe in their baking tool kit. It’s one of our favorite dessert recipes!

Whether you’re just learning how to make cheesecake or you’ve made thousands of them, you’ll fall head over heels for this creamy decadent dessert.

• Making vanilla cheesecake is the perfect way to hone you cheesecake baking skills.
• The simplicity of this cheesecake allows the vanilla flavor to shine through.
• You can enjoy it plain or add your favorite cheesecake toppings.
• Once you know how to make cheesecake you’ll love exploring all flavor options out there!
• The clear instructions and pro tips in this recipe make it easy for even novice bakers to make impressive cheesecake every time.

Ingredient Notes

• Graham cracker crust – This recipe starts with a homemade graham cracker crust. Read our graham cracker pie crust tutorial for more tips on making the best crust for your cheesecake.
• Cream cheese – For the rich flavor you crave, it’s important to use regular, full fat cream cheese! Start with softened room temperature cream cheese for best results.
• Sour cream – adds moisture to the cheesecake while softening the texture of the cheese.
• Eggs – We use four large eggs to thicken our vanilla cheesecake.
• Vanilla – Since vanilla is the dominant flavor here, we use both vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste. The vanilla bean is optional but makes the flavor even better!
• Toppings – A swirl of cool whip or whipped cream is heavenly on top of vanilla cheesecake! We added some fresh sliced strawberries too.

Easy Instructions

1. Prep the Pan.

Fill a broiler pan with a couple of inches of water. Place it on the bottom of your oven and preheat to 325°F.

This step raises the humidity levels in the oven. The moist heat is essential for cheesecake with a creamy texture.

PRO TIP: No need to wrap your cheesecake pan in foil. We’ll use the steam from the water batch without actually placing the cheesecake in the bath. The cheesecake will go on the shelf ABOVE the water bath.

2. Make the graham cracker pie crust. Some people like to put parchment paper circles under the pie crust. I just serve my cheesecake on the bottom plate that comes with the springform pan. If you plan on sliding the cheesecake off the pan completely, use parchment paper!

3. Make the cheesecake filling. Use room temperature ingredients for BEST results!

4. Bake.

When the cheesecake is done, TURN OFF the oven and crack the door open very slightly. The cheesecake needs to sit for about 15 minutes undisturbed as the oven temperature gradually lowers.

Letting the cheesecake slowly cool is another way we reduce the odds of a cracked cheesecake.

5. Cool.

Remove the cheesecake from the oven. Immediately run a sharp knife around the edges just to separate the edges of the crust from the pan.

Now leave the cheesecake to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Transfer it to the fridge (still in the pan) and chill for at least 6 hours or, preferably, overnight.

6. Serve. Remove the sides of the spring form pan and slide out the cheesecake. Top with cool whip and strawberries before slicing and serving!

Cheesecake Tips and Tricks

• Do not overbeat after adding the eggs. You want a creamy texture, not fluffy.
• The cheesecake does not need to sit IN the water bath. The broiler pan full of water will go on the very bottom of your oven. The cheesecake will go on a center rack over the bath. This gives the oven the right amount of moisture necessary for baking smooth cheesecake.
• Be careful not to overbake. The cheesecake will still be a little jiggly in the center when it’s done. Remember it’ll continue to set up as it cools. Overbaking can dry out the cheesecake and cause cracks.
• Sometimes despite your best effort, your cheesecake will still crack. It happens! Don’t stress: that’s what toppings are for! Spread some cool whip or whipped cream over that crack and forget about it. No one will care when they’re busy enjoying incredible cheesecake.

Recipe FAQs

More Cheesecake Recipes

If you only have room for one cheesecake recipe in your life, make it this one: a perfect vanilla cheesecake! Dress it up with your favorite toppings or enjoy it all on its own.