New York Deli Style Cheesecake Recipes

CLASSIC NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F and set an oven rack in the lower middle position. Wrap a 9- or 10-inch springform pan with one large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, covering the underside and extending all the way to the top so there are no seams on the bottom or sides of the pan. Repeat with another sheet of foil for insurance. Spray the inside of the pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until well combined. Press the crumbs into an even layer on the the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, until set. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Set a kettle of water to boil.
• Make the batter: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour together on medium speed until just smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to be sure the mixture is evenly combined. Add the vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt; beat on low speed until just combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated, scraping the bowl as necessary. Mix in the sour cream. Make sure the batter is uniform but do not over-mix.
• Check to make sure your oven has cooled to 325°F, then set the cheesecake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour the batter on top of the crust. Pour the boiling water into the large roasting pan to come about 1 inch up the side of the cake pan. Bake until the cake is just set, 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. (If the cheesecake starts to look too golden on top towards the end, cover it loosely with foil.) The cake should not look liquidy at all but will wobble just a bit when the pan is nudged; it will continue to cook as it cools. Carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Cool the cheesecake in the water bath until the water is just warm, about 45 minutes. Remove the springform pan from the water bath and discard the foil. If necessary, run a thin-bladed knife around the edge of the cake to make sure it's not sticking to the sides (which can cause cracks as it cools), then cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to cool for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• For serving: Remove the sides of the springform pan. Serve the cheesecake right from the base of the pan; or, to transfer it to a serving platter, run a long, thin spatula between the crust and the pan bottom, and then use two large spatulas to carefully transfer the cheesecake to a serving dish. Slice with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between slices. Serve with berry sauce, if you like.
• Make Ahead: The cheesecake can be made and stored in the springform pan in the fridge, tightly covered with plastic wrap, up to two days ahead of time.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cheesecake can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the cake in the freezer briefly, unwrapped, to firm it up. Then double-wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before you plan to eat it.
• Pro Tip: Springform pans are notorious for leaking. Since a cheesecake bakes in a water bath, the foil prevents the water from seeping in during baking. Please do not attempt to use standard 12-inch (30cm) aluminum foil - you can't have any foil seams on the bottom or sides of the pan. No matter how well (or how many times) you wrap the pan, if there are seams exposed to the water, the water will find a way in. Even when wrapped properly, you can occasionally get some condensation inside the foil. If this happens, don't worry - the crust is likely just a bit moist around the edges. Simply remove the sides of the springform pan before refrigerating and let it dry out in the refrigerator.

CARNEGIE DELI CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• To make Crust:.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, grated lemon rind, vanilla extract, egg yolk and butter.
• With your fingertips, rub the ingredients together until well mixed and will hold together in a ball.
• Dust dough with a little flour, wrap in waxed paper and chill for at least 1 hour.
• Butter and flour the bottom of a 9 x 2-inch springform pan.
• Roll out a (1/4 inch thick) piece of dough to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Bake in a preheated 350°F oven until it is a light brown color (approx 10-15 min).
• Let the pan and bottom cool completely.
• Lightly butter the sides of the pan.
• Roll out and line the sides of the pan with more of the cookie dough.
• Trim excess dough from edges of pan.
• To make Filling:.
• Place cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy.
• Beat in sugar a few tablespoons at a time.
• When sugar is well incorporated, beat in flour, lemon, vanilla, eggs, egg yolk, and heavy cream.
• Preheat oven to 485° to 500°F (oven should be hot to enhance color) Yes, temperature is correct.
• Pour filling into the cookie dough lined pan, bake in the center of the oven until a dark brown color has been achieved. The cake should also start to rise very slightly.
• Remove cake from oven and let cool for 30 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
• After cheesecake has cooled for 30 minutes, return the cheesecake to the oven for final baking (this procedure will set the cheesecake).
• NOTE: Cheesecake is like a pudding with only eggs being used to firm the cake. When the cake is bouncy in the center and slightly risen in the middle as well as on the sides, it's finished!
• Baking time at 350°F will vary (usually 25 to 40 minutes) depending on your oven.
• Cool cheesecake in pan for at least 2 hours before trying to remove it from the pan.
• Refrigerate the cheesecake overnight.
• For best flavor, cheesecake should be served at nearly room temperature.
• Slice cake using a hot, wet knife; wipe blade clean between slices.
• NOTE: If you overbake, the cake will crack and be too firm. If you underbake, the cake will tend to be soft in the center.