Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe | NeighborFood (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between New York style cheesecake and just 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.

Cold ingredients are a big no-no when it comes to cheesecake. If your ingredients are cold you will have to mix them longer which will whip too much air into your batter. If the cake has too much air, it will rise too much in the oven and then the middle will sink when cooling. Nobody wants a sad, sunken cheesecake.

They both are great in their own way. It all narrows down to your personal preferences. If you enjoy dense and velvety cake, a baked cheesecake is the one for you. Or if you crave some light and airy dessert post-dinner, go for the no-bake one.

The addition of cream gives a velvety, smooth texture, but too much of it and you begin to mask the cream cheese flavor. Sour cream supports the underlying tang of the cream cheese, but, if overdone, it takes over as the dominant flavor. You need a little of each -- cream for texture and sour cream for flavor.

Traditional, Basque, New York, Vegan, No Bake – There are so many different types of cheesecakes, each with their own unique set of ingredients and methods, but what exactly makes them different?

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.)

Cheesecake is clearly a different animal from bundts or cupcakes, but sour cream has a place here too! Combined with even more densely rich cream cheese, sour cream actually tempers the star ingredient a touch, softening its texture. It also adds another layer of tangy flavor and moisture to a cheesecake.

The biggest risk factor for a cracked cheesecake is a drastic change in temperature. So, make sure your cream cheese and other ingredients are room temperature when you mix the filling. Once the cheesecake is in the oven, avoid the temptation of opening the door—just one peek could let the heat and steam escape.

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.

A water bath helps cheesecakes cook evenly, ensuring the edges don't bake faster than the center. The process gently bakes the custard slowly, ensuring a smooth and creamy filling. Otherwise, the dessert may get a rubbery texture. It also prevents cracking along the surface and browning on the top.

What is the best temperature to bake a cheesecake? ›

Bake at 325°F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the top looks slightly dry, especially at the edges. If the middle is slightly wobbly like jello, that's fine. The internal temperature should read 150°F with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center.

Fresh lemon juice works so well because it tends to be more acidic than the artificial version. It therefore acts as a better thickener for your cheesecake; the acid reacts with the fat in your cake's ingredients and keeps your cake thick, rather than runny.

Can I use regular cream cheese for cheesecake, or are there better options? Yes, regular cream cheese is a common and excellent choice for cheesecake. It provides a classic creamy texture and rich flavor.

Sour cream is often used in cheesecake recipes to add a tangy flavor and a creamy texture. However, if you don't have sour cream or prefer not to use it, there are several alternatives you can try: Greek yogurt: This is a good substitute as it has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.

New York cheesecake uses a larger portion of cream cheese. It is rich and dense. Regular cheesecake uses more cream and has a creamier texture. There is typically a crust made of graham crackers, but sometimes other cookies like shortbread are used.

More Variations in America

Meanwhile, Philadelphia cheesecake is known for being lighter and creamier than New York style cheesecake and it can be served with fruit or chocolate toppings. In St. Louis, they enjoy a gooey butter cake, which has an additional layer of cake topping on the cheesecake filling.

New York-style cheesecake is a lot denser than regular cheesecake. Regular cheesecake is thinned out with heavy cream, while New York cheesecake gets its creaminess mostly from cream cheese.

“My grandfather said, 'If you're going to open a restaurant in New York, you've got to have great cheesecake,'” says Alan Rosen, third-generation owner at Junior's. Over the years, scores of restaurants and bakeries would follow this thought and tout their cheesecake as New York cheesecake.