27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (2024)

Cheesecake is a winner. The combination of a butterycookie crust and the luscious texture and tangy-sweet flavor of the filling is nothing short of spectacular. A classic cheesecake recipe is made with cream cheese, sour cream, egg yolks, sugar, and a touch of lemon juice. It bakes low and slow for at least two hours, then chills to set up. Serve it sliced as is, or top it with a handful of fresh berries for a pop of color and contrasting flavor.

But why stop there? We have all kinds of delicious variations of the classic cheesecake recipe. Flavored iterations such askey limeor chocolate—and cheesecake served in the form of a tart, sheet cake, or bars. Our no-bake versions are not to be missed. They swap the usual egg yolks for other decadent ingredients such as sweetened condensed milk, ricotta cheese, or whipped cream. What all these cheesecakes have in common is that they are irresistible. They're crowd-pleasing desserts you can make any time of the year.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (1)

Silky smooth, and light as air, our pumpkin cheesecake is packed with fall flavors. There's a toasted graham cracker crumb crust and a silky pumpkin and cream cheese filling spiced with the perfect amount of pumpkin pie spice.

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New York-Style Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (2)

Inspired by the very best from New York bakeries, this fan-favorite cheesecake recipe features a thick graham cracker crust and a rich filling made with cream cheese, sour cream, egg yolks, and two kinds of sugar.

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No-Bake Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (3)

This no-bake version of classic cheesecake is one of our most popular recipes. The filling is made with a decadent combination of cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk, which creates a pure white, silky finish.

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Sernik (Polish-Style Cheesecake)

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (4)

A recipe from Martha's mom, this Polish-style cheesecake is an Easter tradition in the Kostyra family. Instead of the usual cream cheese filling and graham cracker crust, this cheesecake has a creamy filling made with farmer cheese, sour cream, and golden raisins. The crust is a rich pie crust-like pastry made with flour, confectioners' sugar, butter, egg yolks, and sour cream.

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No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (5)

Cheesecake made in the form of a sheet pan makes dessert preparation so easy. This version, topped with plump, seasonal blueberries and a berry compote, is especially delicious.

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Instant Pot Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (6)

Use your favorite multi-cooker to make this irresistible cheesecake recipe. It bakes on the pressure cooker setting for 45 minutes, then chills in a refrigerator for at least two hours.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake Squares

Who doesn't love peanut butter and jelly? Since we know this combination is so widely loved, we turned the kid-friendly sandwich into crowd-pleasing cheesecake bars.

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Classic Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (8)

Rich, smooth, and creamy, this classic cheesecake is hard to beat. Our recipe combines a handful of simple ingredients to make a satisfying dessert that everyone loves. A handful of fresh berries is all the toppings it needs.

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Ricotta Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (9)

With just 15 minutes of prep and no water bath required, this Italian-style cheesecake recipe is one of our easiest.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (10)

A different take on cheesecake, this fall-friendly recipe has a pecan crust and a pumpkin filling, then more pecans for the topping. It's baked in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish rather than the usual springform pan.

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No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (11)

A genius pairing of key lime pie and cheesecake makes for one epic dessert. Bonus: It's also an easy no-bake dessert.

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Apricot Cheesecake Tart

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (12)

Who knew that a few dollops of fruit jam—in this case, apricot—could instantly take a basic cheesecake recipe to a sweet next level? We pipe it on top of the cheesecake right before baking.

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Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (13)

If you have leftover cranberry sauce from holiday festivities, swirl it into this cheesecake recipe for a luscious dessert.

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Bruléed Vanilla-Bean Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (14)

Crème brûlée, meet cheesecake. In this two-for-one special, cheesecake is baked in a tart shell, then a mesmerizing swirl of spun sugar is brûléed on top.

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Margarita Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (15)

If you don't feel like mixing co*cktails, dole them out by the slice instead. The alcohol bakes out while cooking, so guests of all ages can enjoy this decadent treat.

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Cheesecake Babka

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (16)

Can't decide between serving cheesecake or babka, the sweet yeasted bread that originated in Eastern Europe? Try this recipe that combines two desserts in one. A cream cheese and ricotta cheese mixture—flavored with vanilla and lemon juice—is swirled through the loaf.

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Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (17)

This airy cheesecake recipe will instantly transport you to cloud nine. The dessert is comprised of three layers—a graham cracker crust, cheesecake filling, and pumpkin mousse topping.

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Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (18)

Intense oven-roasted strawberries are folded into a blend of tangy mascarpone and cream cheese, then covered with a rich vanilla layer—proof that cheesecake can be both unexpected and delicious.

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Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (19)

Fancy a triple dose of chocolate? There are chocolate wafers in the crust, semi-sweet chocolate in the filling, and a rich chocolate ganache smoothed on top of this super cheesecake.

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Pumpkin-Cheesecake Pie with Gingersnap Crust

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (20)

Serve this stunning twist on a classic fall dessert for Thanksgiving and no one will miss the usual pumpkin pie. The gingersnap cookie crust is a genius touch.

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No-Bake Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (21)

Another cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, this one is an easy no-bake cheesecake that's perfectly complimented by the spicy base.

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Carrot Cheesecake with Marzipan Carrots

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (22)

Cream-cheese frosting and warm spices, carrot cake's best features, are reimagined as a showstopping cheesecake topped with marzipan carrots.

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No-Bake Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (23)

A berry pretty combination of fruits suits July 4th, but you can top this no-bake cheesecake with whatever fruit is best at the market—and make this cheesecake all year long.

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Rhubarb Raspberry Cheesecake Squares

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (24)

Topping cheesecake with shimmering fruit is nothing new, but we spun this one in a fresh direction by swapping out the expected cherries for a rhubarb-raspberry gelee that's a spectacular ruby red color.

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Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (25)

Maple syrup flavors this luscious cheesecake inside and out, from the creamy filling to the broiled pears on top.

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Gingerbread Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (26)

A molasses-gingerbread cookie dough does double duty here; it forms the crust and the cookies that top this charming holiday dessert.

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No-Bake Spiderweb Cheesecake

27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (27)

Innocents are snared easily by a ganache spiderweb spun by a gumdrop spider with licorice-string legs. Try a bite, if you dare.

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27 Must-Make Cheesecake Recipes, From Classic to Innovative (Pumpkin Cheesecake Crunch Bites, Anyone?) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and regular cheesecake? ›

Regular cheesecake relies on heavy cream and sour cream to thin the batter and create a silkier, creamier texture. New York cheesecake is heavy on the cream cheese which is why it's so dense and rich. Extra cream cheese isn't the only thing that makes New York cheesecake so special.

What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›

Eggs: Three whole eggs hold the cheesecake together. I also add an extra yolk, which enhances the cake's velvety texture. (Whites tend to lighten the cake, which is actually fine — if you don't feel like separating that fourth egg and don't mind some extra airiness in the texture, just add in the whole egg.)

How to set a cheesecake quickly? ›

Use the Freezer: After bringing the cheesecake to room temperature, you can place it in the freezer to set and chill faster. However, be sure not to leave it in the freezer for more than two hours to avoid freezer burn.

What is the difference between French style cheesecake and regular cheesecake? ›

A French Style Cheesecake is simple, elegant, and a bit different than the popular one New York Cheesecake. The French one it's creamier and leaves you with a strong vanilla flavor from the first bite.

What is the difference between American cheesecake and Italian cheesecake? ›

The main difference between what we would consider typical New York American cheesecake and Italian cheesecake is that in Italy, cheesecake is made with ricotta rather than cream cheese. It is also a bit lighter and dryer, more cakelike and less cloying.

When should you not eat cheesecake? ›

Eggs and milk have high protein and moisture content, and they're the primary ingredients in cheesecake, so when cheesecake is left at room temperature, conditions are ripe for bacteria to multiply. According to the USDA's Food Keeper App, cheesecake should be consumed within 5 to 7 days of refrigeration.

What happens if you don't add egg to cheesecake? ›

The cake will not set properly if there is no egg in the preparation, and you will just have a cream cheese pudding. As delicious as cream cheese pudding sounds, it's actually more like buttercream.

Why does my cheesecake taste eggy? ›

Not cooking your cake at the right temp or time; cooking your cake for a longer bake time than needed could make your cake taste eggy. When exposed to consistently high heat for extended periods, the sulphur from the egg whites causes a chemical reaction, resulting in an unpleasant taste. Not ideal!

What happens if you put cold eggs in a cheesecake? ›

In the case of cheesecakes and other batters with a high fat content, adding cold eggs could re-harden the fat, making the batter appear curdled or lumpy, possibly affecting the texture of the baked product. To avoid this, make sure you use room temperature eggs for baking.

Is it better to use flour or cornstarch for cheesecake? ›

Step 10: Corn Starch Added

It did result in a more cake like texture as well. If you want to add something to thicken your cheesecake then I would definitely recommend this over flour to thicken it.

What can you substitute for eggs in cheesecake? ›

Greek yogurt works well as a cheesecake thickener. It adds flavor and gives the cheesecake a creamy texture. It can be substituted for eggs in any cheesecake recipe.

What happens when you overbeat cheesecake batter? ›

When making your filling, overmixing can lead to incorporating too much air into the batter. Once baked, the air bubbles will burst, and the cheesecake will fall and crack. THE FIX: The number one reason why you'd overbeat your batter is because you're having dificulty incorporating cold ingredients.

Why did my cheesecake crack? ›

If the temperature of your cheesecake reaches 185°F or above anywhere in the cake — edge or center — it will almost certainly result in a cracked top.

Why does cheesecake have to chill overnight? ›

Many recipes say to let the cheesecake sit in the turned-off oven with the door cracked for about an hour, then let it cool completely on the counter. It also needs to spend four hours, or ideally overnight, in the fridge before slicing and eating to ensure the perfect velvety smooth texture.

What are the three types of cheesecake? ›

New York style cheesecake, classic cheesecake, and no bake cheesecake are the most popular types of cheesecakes, but the best cheesecake flavor is the one that you find irresistible — and that may be different for everyone.

What characterizes New York style cheesecakes? ›

New York style is known for its (iconic) graham cracker crust, smooth texture, and dense middle. It's picturesque even. It leans on cream cheese as the star in its flavor profile. Burnt Basque, on the other hand, appears burnt on the outside and doesn't have a crust at all.

Are cheesecake Factory cheesecakes New York style? ›

The dessert might be famous for its New York-style and typical Philadelphia cream cheese base, but cheesecakes are still popular outside the United States.

What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and Chicago style cheesecake? ›

New York style cheesecake is known for its dense, smooth, rich, and creamy texture. This is because the addition of heavy cream or sour cream tempers the cream cheese. Chicago Cheesecake is known for its firm outside and soft and creamy center, which comes from the extra cream cheese that is added to the batter.

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