How To Make Cheesecakes

Cheesecake is a wonderfully decadent dessert that is enjoyed by many but created by few.

The thought of making cheesecake seems overwhelming or difficult to those who haven’t yet tried it. It is really a very basic dessert that can easily be prepared for any occasion or no occasion at all.

There are many different cheesecake recipes such as:

• Chocolate cheesecake
• Pumpkin cheesecake
• Raspberry swirl
• Strawberry cheesecake
• Chocolate chip cheesecake
• Candy bits cheesecake
• Cherry cheesecake
• Kahlua cheesecake

And many more!

All cheesecake recipes begin with certain basic ingredients: Cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract.

When different ingredients are added such as sour cream, heavy whipping cream or eggs, the flavour and consistency is changed to accommodate personal tastes.

When cheesecake is added to dessert recipes such as Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies or Cheesecake filled strawberries, the basic ingredients are all that are necessary.

This is a great recipe to use when adding a flavour into your cheesecake because it isn’t over powering or super light.

If you choose to add mini chocolate chips or candy pieces, stir them in right before pouring the mixture into the crust.

If you like a swirl of flavour like raspberry or cherry baked into the cheesecake, drop spoonful’s of preserve or flavoring on top of the cheesecake after it’s been poured into the pie crust.

Using a butter knife, gently drag the knife through the filling diagonally or in a large circle pattern so the flavour will bake into the cheesecake.

Some cheesecakes are super rich, some are light and fluffy, some are easy and some are complicated.

The recipes below are a few examples of the different basic cheesecake options.

This fluffy, sweet no-bake cheesecake is perfect for beginner bakers, kids or anyone who needs an impressive dessert that doesn’t take much time to prepare.

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth
2. Fold in the whipped topping
3. Put mixture in the premade pie crust and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight before serving

This cheesecake is light in flavour and texture.

This recipe makes a wonderful summer dessert with a citrus topping such as Key Lime or Lemon.

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 eggs, separated
• 4 teaspoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoons white sugar

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and the 1/3 cup sugar together
3. Add the zest and vanilla and blend until smooth
4. Add the egg yolks and heavy cream
5. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until a soft froth forms
6. Add the sugar slowly to the egg whites and continue to beat until soft peaks form
7. Fold the beaten egg whites into cream cheese mixture, a little bit at a time until fully integrated
8. Pour into a prepared graham cracker crust
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until center is almost set

Let cool for 1 ½ hours on a wire rack, then refrigerate overnight.

A graham cracker crust is the perfect base for all cheesecakes and it's easy to do!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/3 cup white sugar

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, toss the graham cracker crumbs and the sugar in the melted butter until completely coated.
3. Press mixture into a 9 inch spring form pan or pie dish and bake for 10 minutes before adding the cheesecake filling

The goat cheese added to this cheesecake recipe adds a creaminess and richness that isn’t found in other recipes. The flavor and texture is unlike anything else you'll ever try!

This dessert’s wonderful flavour and texture make it delicious served alone or with fruit preserves for a slight flavour addition.

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 6 ounces goat cheese, ½ log
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Beat the cream and goat cheeses in a large bowl light and fluffy
3. Add the sour cream and beat to combine
4. Add the eggs and continue to beat on low until thoroughly combined
5. Beat in the sugar and vanilla until just combined.
6. Pour the filling into the prepared crust
7. Put on a baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until center is almost set
8. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through the cooking process
9. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

It is best to refrigerate overnight before serving.

This recipe has all the taste and consistency that one comes to expect when they hear the word cheesecake.

This is a heavier cheesecake with a wonderful flavour so it can easily be served alone or by adding a very light berry or fruit sauce.

A heavy sauce or flavour addition will overwhelm the taste buds and may take away from the classic creaminess that is already present.

A small piece will go a long way with this one.

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth
3. Beat in sour cream and heavy cream
4. Blend in the flour and vanilla
5. With mixer on low speed, add eggs
6. Pour batter over prepared crust
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until center is almost set
8. Chill on wire rack for 1 1/2 hours

Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight before removing from pan

1. The ingredients should be room temperature before mixing
2. Bake cheesecakes in the center of the oven
3. Cheesecake is done baking when the outside is firm and the center is not quite set yet. It will continue to set as it cools
4. Overnight refrigeration is recommended before serving
5. Traditional cheesecakes are prepared in a spring form pan but if you don’t have one, a deep dish pie pan or store bought prepared graham cracker crust will work as well.

Your cheesecake should fit your personal tastes as there are unlimited options of flavour combinations. Experiment a little and half fun with it!