Family-Favorite Cheesecake

Name: Family-Favorite Cheesecake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 40 squares); 1/3 cup sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup butter, melted; FILLING:; 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 large eggs, separated; TOPPING:; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

This easy cheesecake recipe has been a family favorite for almost 20 years. It's fluffy, delicate and absolutely delicious. I've shared it at many gatherings over the years and have even started baking it for our friends instead of Christmas cookies. —Esther Wappner, Mansfield, Ohio

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 40 squares)
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, melted
FILLING:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs, separated
TOPPING:
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and cinnamon; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325°.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg yolks; beat on low just until combined.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour over crust.
Bake for 1 hour or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate until completely cooled.
Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla; fold in whipped cream. Spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 414 calories, 23g fat (13g saturated fat), 132mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.

Originally published as Family-Favorite Cheesecake in Taste of Home December/January 1999

Reviews

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Average Rating:

cookingWithLove9

Apr 20, 2019

This cheesecake would be perfect if it called for a 1/2 a cup of sugar. First time I made it. I put the one and a half cups of sugar in. Way over the top to sweet. Next time I used a 1/2 cup. It is lighter and fluffier than your average cheesecake. It’s a very good cheesecake. But, someone needs to edit the ingredients.
walden

Nov 15, 2018

Soooooooo good! First cheesecake I've ever made. It was a huge success.
teris9

Dec 16, 2017

I've been making this cheesecake for years and it's been beloved by all who've tried it!However, one part of the recipe needs to be adjusted. Over time, the size of store-bought graham crackers have shrunk (by about 13% according to my math), so you'll need approximately 45.5 squares (or 22.75 full, rectangular crackers) to make the required 2.5 cups of graham cracker crumbs. This measurement is accurate for the regular 14.4-ounce packages of graham crackers.After the crumbs are made, you'll be left with 4.25 crackers to snack on while you (and any tiny humans) bake.
Georgia

Nov 27, 2017

This was my first time making a cheesecake & I made this for my husbands' birthday!! He loved it!! I will make this again..thank for a wonderful recipe
bworosello

Nov 16, 2017

this is by far the best cheese cake recipe.
sterlingshouse

Nov 1, 2017

This is by far the best tasting basic cheesecake recipe I've ever tasted. To me it's the texture that really sets it apart-- lighter, not so dense. So simple to make that you think it will be bland but the flavor is perfect! I would imagine that it would be very easy to customize with different add-ins as well. Even my no cheesecake people loved it! :)
ayya

Aug 3, 2017

My cheese cake has cracked too much. Plz can smone tell me how to prevent this. TIA
rena 55

Feb 23, 2017

Great basic cheesecake recipe. You can add chocolate chips, brownie pieces or fruit to this recipe to bump it up to the next level. Of course, add some fruit and whipped cream to the top to make an elegant dessert!
Marla

Nov 11, 2016

To answer Jenette1 question - I would say- To set the crust. It will hold together much better if you do this.
Jenette1

Oct 18, 2016

Why does it say to bake for 5 minutes?