How exactly does one resist a cheesecake!? Baked or not baked – the creamy, tangy, crumbly, and rich flavor is absolutely delicious. While simply picking one up from the nearest oft-frequented bakery is the easy way out, making one from scratch isn’t all that difficult and using the freshest ingredients can make it all the more delightful. Check out how very simple it is to whip one up!

Ingredients
Most cheesecakes have a set of common ingredients – cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, butter, flour, vanilla extract, lemon juice, eggs, and graham crackers. You could also add other ingredients like berries and nuts into the mix to create a variation in flavor.

• Blueberry Cheesecake
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• New York Cheesecake
• Traditional or Classic Cheesecake
• Vegan Cheesecake

Steps to make a baked cheesecake
The first thing you’ll need is a cake tin or cake pan. Now, these come in several shapes and sizes, and what you choose will be determined by the shape and size of cake, or in this case cheesecake, you wish to bake. Traditionally, cheesecakes are made in springform pans to make it easy to remove. Choose a size that best suits your need. 

The ingredients you gather to make the cheesecake will differ depending on the type you want.

Prepare the crust
After gathering all the ingredients, you need to prepare the crust. You can start by breaking the graham crackers into crumbs. Blend them in a food processor along with melted butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt. You could also tweak the recipe by adding other items like grated coconut or nuts.

Press the crust mixture flat
After the crust mixture is ready, scatter the crumbs on the base of the springform pan evenly. You could do this by using the heel of your hand, a dry-ingredient measuring cup, or a flat bottom of a glass to pack the crumbs into a sturdy crust. You may have to pre-bake the crust for about 10 minutes.

Beat the cream cheese with other ingredients
A stand mixer with an attached paddle may help in gradually beating the cream cheese with vanilla extract, sugar, and other ingredients. Mix the ingredients until the filling mixture is creamy and even. As for the eggs, add and beat them individually until they blend well with the rest of the mix.

Bake the cheesecake
Pour the filling into a springform pan, and spread it evenly over the crust. Place the pan in another larger shallow pan (a roasting pan), and place this in the oven. Now pour hot water into the larger pan so that it comes an inch up the side of the springform pan. The usual baking time for most cheesecakes may differ based on their size and texture. An 8-inch cake in a springform pan could take about one hour and 20 minutes at 325 degrees to bake.

Let it cool
Remove the pan from the water bath, transfer it to a wire rack, and let it cool. Refrigerate the cake for at least four hours in the pan until it is completely cold before serving. You could unclasp the side of the springform pan and remove it before using a knife to slice the cake uniformly.

No bake cheesecake steps
To make a no-bake cheesecake, you can follow the steps below.

• Put the graham crackers in a large plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them until they turn to crumbs.
• Pour the crumbs into a medium-sized bowl, and add sugar. Then, add butter to the mix and stir until the mixture combines well.
• Press the crumb mixture into a springform pan, until it is flat. Place it in the freezer to chill for about 10 minutes.
• In the meantime, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until it becomes smooth. You can also beat in the condensed milk a little at a time, along with lemon juice and vanilla.
• Pour the filling into the crust and smoothen the top with a rubber spatula. Lastly, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator until it is firm. This usually takes about two and a half to three hours.
• Unclasp the sides of the pan, remove the cheesecake, and serve.

Where it all began
While making cheesecakes is fun, it’s always nice to know about where it all began. It is believed that the dessert was first made over 4,000 years ago by the ancient Greeks on the island of Samos. Studies indicate that the first cheesecakes were made with patties of fresh cheese that were then combined with flour and honey. This was baked on an earthenware griddle before being served to guests.