Bake Like Ina Garten: Dreamy New York Cheesecake Recipe

Silky smooth and decadently rich, this Ina Garten New York cheesecake recipe promises pure dessert perfection.

The classic New York-style cheesecake stands as a gold standard for creamy indulgence.

Professional chefs and home bakers alike adore its luxurious texture and melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of tangy cream cheese and buttery graham cracker crust.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a showstopping dessert that feels like a professional bakery masterpiece.

The secret lies in using high-quality ingredients and following precise techniques.

Get ready to impress everyone at the table with this sublime cheesecake that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

What Goes Into Ina Garten’s New York Cheesecake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crispy, sweet foundation that adds delightful texture and classic cheesecake base flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crust ingredients, creating a rich, golden-brown foundation that holds together perfectly.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances the crust's sweetness and helps achieve a delectable caramelized edge.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the deeper flavors in the crust.

• Cream Cheese: The star ingredient that creates the signature smooth, creamy cheesecake texture and rich flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps achieve the perfect silky consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour: Stabilizes the filling and prevents cracking during baking.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and complexity to the cheesecake.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavor profile with a subtle citrusy freshness.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the filling.

• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the filling together.
• Sour Cream: Contributes to the luxurious, tangy flavor and creates an ultra-creamy texture.

Tools for a Smooth New York Cheesecake Finish

• Springform pan: Essential 9- or 10-inch pan with removable sides for easy cheesecake release.
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil: Critical for wrapping pan bottom to prevent water leaks.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cream cheese and other filling ingredients.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Key for beating cream cheese and creating smooth, creamy texture.
• Spatula: Helps smooth cheesecake filling and scrape bowl edges.
• Roasting pan or large baking dish: Used for water bath method during baking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Zester or grater: Needed for extracting lemon zest.
• Whisk: Optional for mixing dry ingredients evenly.

Ina’s Step-by-Step New York Cheesecake Method

Creamy New York Cheesecake Magic

• Crust Foundation

Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and blend with melted butter, creating a delectable base that will cradle your luscious cheesecake filling.

• Cheese Mixture Preparation

Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, incorporating sugar and creating a dreamy, velvety texture that promises pure indulgence.

• Flavor Enhancements

Gently fold in zesty lemon accents and rich vanilla, transforming the basic mixture into a tantalizing canvas of flavor complexity.

• Egg Integration

Carefully introduce eggs one by one, allowing each to blend seamlessly and create a luxurious, pillowy consistency.

• Water Bath Technique

Nestle your cheesecake pan into a larger dish filled with steaming water, ensuring gentle, even baking that prevents cracking and maintains a supremely creamy texture.

• Slow Cooling Process

After baking, let the cheesecake rest inside the oven with the door closed, allowing it to settle and develop its signature smooth profile.

• Chilling Perfection

Refrigerate the cheesecake for several hours, letting the flavors meld and the texture firm into a divine, melt-in-your-mouth dessert that will impress everyone.

Flavor Additions for New York Cheesecake by Ina

• Replace traditional graham crackers with chocolate cookie crumbs, gingersnaps, or crushed pecans for a unique flavor profile and delightful crunch.
• Always use hot water when creating a water bath to ensure even baking, prevent cracking, and maintain a silky smooth cheesecake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Enhance the base recipe by adding orange zest, mix in melted chocolate, swirl raspberry preserves, or fold in crushed Oreo cookies for gourmet variations that will impress guests.
• Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing, avoid overmixing eggs, and cool the cheesecake gradually inside the oven to minimize surface cracks and achieve a professional-looking dessert.

Best Pairings for Ina Garten’s Cheesecake

• Garnish with Fresh Berries: Top the cheesecake with a vibrant mix of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for a burst of color and tangy sweetness.
• Drizzle with Fruit Coulis: Create a luscious raspberry or strawberry sauce to pour over each slice, adding a gourmet touch and extra layer of fruity flavor.
• Serve with Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of homemade whipped cream on the side, sprinkled with a light dusting of lemon zest to complement the cake's citrusy notes.
• Pair with Sweet Wine: Enjoy a small glass of dessert wine like Moscato or Riesling, which beautifully enhances the creamy, rich texture of the cheesecake.

Store and Slice Ina Garten’s Cheesecake Right

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and delicious.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months for a make-ahead dessert option.
• Thaw Carefully: Transfer the frozen cheesecake to the refrigerator 24 hours before serving to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without compromising quality.
• Slice with Precision: Use a clean, sharp knife dipped in hot water between each cut to create perfect, clean slices that showcase the cheesecake's beautiful texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Calories: 496 kcal

Servings: 12

Silky Ina Garten New York Cheesecake Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s New York cheesecake delivers creamy perfection with classic graham cracker crust and rich cream cheese filling. Silky smooth textures and balanced sweetness make this dessert a crowd-pleasing centerpiece you’ll want to savor slowly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 32 oz (907 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs, from 12 whole crackers
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 5 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsps sugar
• 1 tsp packed lemon zest, from 1 lemon
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice, from 1 lemon
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.125 tsp salt
• 9– or 10-inch springform pan
• 18-inch heavy-duty aluminum foil

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Blend graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt into a uniform mixture, then press firmly into a springform pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, then cool completely.
2. Filling Creation: Using an electric mixer, cream cream cheese and sugar until silky smooth. Incorporate flour, vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt, blending thoroughly.
3. Egg Integration: Add eggs individually, mixing completely after each addition to maintain a smooth consistency.
4. Sour Cream Incorporation: Fold in sour cream until the filling achieves a uniform texture.
5. Water Bath Setup: Wrap the springform pan’s exterior with aluminum foil, then place inside a larger baking dish. Pour filling over the cooled crust, creating an even surface.
6. Precise Baking: Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C). Fill the outer baking dish with hot water halfway up the pan’s sides. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes until edges are set with a slight center jiggle.
7. Cooling Process: Turn off oven, leaving cheesecake inside with door closed for one hour to prevent cracking. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to ensure complete setting.

Notes

• Prevent Cracking Technique: Allow cheesecake to cool slowly inside the oven after baking to minimize surface cracks and maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
• Water Bath Essentials: Wrap springform pan tightly with aluminum foil and use hot water to create even heat distribution, preventing dry edges and ensuring uniform baking.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream to room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother, lump-free filling and better ingredient integration.
• Precise Mixing Method: Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly after each addition to create a silky, homogeneous filling without overmixing, which can cause structural issues.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 496
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 156 mg