🗽 Creamy New York Cheesecake (No Water Bath, No Cracks!)

Craving that ultra-smooth, bakery-style cheesecake with a buttery crust and rich vanilla flavor? This Creamy New York Cheesecake delivers everything you love without the fuss of a water bath or the heartbreak of cracks.

Whether you're celebrating a holiday, hosting friends, or simply treating yourself, this foolproof cheesecake is your new signature dessert. 💛

It's made with real Philadelphia cream cheese, tangy sour cream, and just 7 simple ingredients. Bonus? It chills like a dream and slices beautifully. Pure New York magic, from your oven to your table.

💛 Why You’ll Love This Cheesecake

• • No water bath, no stress! 🙌

• • Ultra-creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture

• • Crack-free top (yes, really!)

• • Can be made ahead for any gathering

• Just 7 simple ingredients + 1 secret pro trick

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

• • 9-inch springform pan

• • Food processor or zip-top bag + rolling pin

• • Stand or hand mixer

• • Mixing bowls & rubber spatula

• • Baking sheet

• Parchment paper

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

🧀 Philadelphia Cream Cheese
The star of the show! Full-fat and room temperature is non-negotiable for that ultra-smooth, classic New York texture and flavor. Don’t swap it — this is where the magic happens.

🍶 Sour Cream
Adds a signature tang and velvety richness. It lightens the dense cream cheese and gives the filling that melt-in-your-mouth creaminess you crave.

🍬 Granulated Sugar
Just the right sweetness to balance the tang from the sour cream and cream cheese — nothing cloying, just classic bakery flavor.

🍦 Vanilla Extract
The flavor booster! It enhances every creamy, buttery bite with warmth and depth. Go for pure vanilla for best results.

🥚 Eggs
Room temperature eggs = smooth batter. They bind everything together without making it heavy — just don’t overmix!

🌾 All-Purpose Flour
A small amount goes a long way to create structure without heaviness. Keeps the filling firm yet silky.

🧂 Salt
A tiny pinch makes everything pop. Trust it — you’ll taste the difference.

🍪 Graham Crackers or Digestive Biscuits
Crushed into buttery golden crumbs for the perfect sweet-salty base. Digestives add a more European-style richness, while grahams bring nostalgic bakery vibes.

🧈 Unsalted Butter (Melted)
Holds the crust together and adds a toasty, indulgent flavor that pairs beautifully with the cool, creamy filling.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Creamy New York Cheesecake (Step-by-Step) 🍰

This foolproof cheesecake skips the water bath and still turns out silky-smooth. Here’s your quick and easy game plan:

🔹 Prep the crust – Crush graham crackers or digestive biscuits, mix with melted butter 🧈. Press firmly into a buttered, parchment-lined 9-inch springform pan. Chill while you prep the filling.

🔹 Make the filling – Beat cream cheese + sour cream 🧀🍶 until smooth. Add sugar + vanilla 🍦, then eggs 🥚 one at a time. Finish with flour + salt. Mix gently — don’t overdo it!

🔹 Assemble – Pour the filling over the chilled crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.

🔹 Bake – Set the springform pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 1 hour. ❌ Don’t open the oven!

🔹 Cool it right – Let it rest in the off oven for 20 mins (door closed). Then crack the door and cool 10 more mins.

🔹 Chill overnight – Cool 2 hours at room temp, then cover and refrigerate overnight. ❄️

📜 Scroll down for the full printable recipe!

🍽️ How to Serve It (Like a Pro)

• • Use two long spatulas to lift and transfer your cheesecake to a plate

• • Quick, confident movement — say a little prayer to the cheesecake gods 🙏

• Slice clean with a hot knife for bakery-level presentation

🧀 Pro Tips for the Perfect Cheesecake

• • Always use room temperature ingredients

• • Don’t rush the chilling — the flavor deepens overnight

• • Avoid overmixing once the eggs go in

• • Cracks? Cover with fruit, ganache, or whipped cream — no one will notice 😉

🧊 Storage Tips

• • Fridge: Keeps for up to 5 days, covered

• Freezer: Freeze whole or in slices for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight

👩‍🍳 Gemma's Final Take

If you’ve never baked a New York cheesecake before — this is the one to start with. No water bath, no soggy crust, no stress. Just creamy, buttery, swoon-worthy perfection in every bite.

This beauty is in my brand new cookbook Simple Pleasures, and I’m so excited for you to try it. Pre-order your copy now (link below!) 💛

📌 You’ll Also Love :

👉 How to Make Irresistible Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
👉 💙 Bluey Cake Recipe: Easy & Adorable Pup-Tastic Treat!
👉 Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars: The Ultimate Triple Threat Dessert 🎉🍪🍰

📌 Save This Recipe

Because once you taste it, you’ll want to make it for every holiday, birthday, or quiet Tuesday night.

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