Lucinda’s New York-Style Cheesecake

Whether or not you’re on the East coast, New York-style cheesecake is a cross-country crowd-pleaser.

New York-style cheesecake is a super simple dessert that is slightly creamier and denser than a classic cheesecake. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love it, even outside of New York.

There are only two components to cheesecake, and our recipe has perfected both. A silky sweet filling is essential, but a sturdy, well-baked crust is arguably the most important part, as it makes the cheesecake easier to slice.

What Causes a Cheesecake to Crack
There are a few reasons the top of cheesecake tends to crack, and some ways to minimize cracking:

Overbaking: A properly baked cheesecake should actually look underbaked when you pull it out of the oven. Give the pan a gentle wiggle. When the edges are set but the center jiggles like Jell-O, the cheesecake is ready.
Over-mixing the filling: Beating too much air into the cream cheese mixture could cause the cheesecake to rise too quickly or unevenly. As the filling cools down and sinks, it will be more likely to crack.
Cooling too quickly: Going from hot to cold too quickly can also cause cracks to appear on the surface. Let the cheesecake cool completely at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator.
Not using a water bath: When the cheesecake is surrounded in a water bath, the filling is guaranteed to cook evenly, which will inevitably prevent cracks.

Tools and Techniques:
Springform Pans
Springform pans are ideal for delicate desserts like cheesecake. The pans have a nonstick removable belt around the outside that pops off to expose the edges of the cheesecake. From there, the cheesecake can be gently lifted instead of inverting it onto a platter and risking it breaking.

The Important of a Water Bath
Baking the cheesecake in a water bath in the oven helps keep the cream cheese filling silky smooth and creamy. The most important thing a water bath does is create moisture in the oven as the cheesecake bakes. A moist atmosphere in an otherwise dry climate will help keep the cheesecake from drying out and cracking. It will also help the filling rise evenly since it’s surrounded by a water barrier.

Ingredients

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