Description
Classic Cheesecake with Cherry Sauce is a tall, creamy New York–style dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust and sweet-tart cherry topping. This foolproof water bath method guarantees a smooth, crack-free finish. Perfect for gatherings or make-ahead celebrations—bake it today!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 crackers)
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
For the Filling:
2 ¼ lb cream cheese, room temperature (4½ packages, 8 oz each)
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs, room temperature
¼ cup sour cream
½ Tbsp vanilla extract
For the Cherry Sauce:
2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp water
Instructions
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups (about 12 crackers) graham cracker crumbs
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 ¼ lb (4½ packages) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ Tbsp vanilla extract
For the Cherry Sauce (optional but recommended):
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch + 2 Tbsp water
Notes
Always use room-temperature ingredients for smooth blending.
Avoid opening the oven to prevent cracking.
Chill overnight for best texture and clean slicing.
Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes + Time (Resting/Chill): 8 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 7g