Classic New York-Style Cheesecake

Introduction

New York-style cheesecake is famous for its dense, creamy texture and perfectly balanced sweetness and tanginess.
Made with a rich cream cheese base and a crisp graham cracker crust, this cheesecake is baked to perfection in a water bath
for an even, custard-like consistency. Whether for a holiday or a weekend treat, this cheesecake is a showstopper.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 4 ounces graham crackers, broken into pieces
• ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 2 ½ pounds cream cheese, room temperature (five 8-ounce packages)
• 4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces sour cream, room temperature
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Directions