Ingredients
Scale
Gather these pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients to create your own slice of heaven:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
If you’re out of graham crackers, feel free to swap in digestive biscuits or even crushed vanilla wafers. And don’t worry if you only have salted butter on hand—just reduce the added salt in the crust to balance it out.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the filling.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add 1 cup of sugar and continue to beat until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract, heavy cream, and sour cream until fully incorporated.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Once chilled and set, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar evenly over the top of the cheesecake. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden brown and crisp. If you don’t have a torch, broil the top in the oven for a few minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Let the caramelized sugar cool and harden before slicing into bars. Enjoy the sweet crackle with every bite!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International