Best Classic Cheesecake Recipe

Name: Best Classic Cheesecake Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full-sheet graham crackers); 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar; 5 Tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter, melted; 32 ounces (904g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 cup (240g) full-fat sour cream, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (optional, but recommended); 3 large eggs, at room temperature

Instructions

Prep:45minCook:1h

Look no further for a creamy and ultra smooth classic cheesecake recipe! Paired with a buttery graham cracker crust, no one can deny its simple decadence. For the best results, bake in a water bath. This recipe is also in my cookbook, Sally's Baking 101.

Updated at: Tue, 23 Dec 2025 02:15:50 GMT