Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links provide us with a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please refer to our disclosure policy for more information.
If you are craving a slice of East Coast Cheesecake but aren't going to be in New York anytime soon, then our recipe is exactly what you are looking for! Our rich and creamy cheesecake is easy to make and is topped with fresh strawberries. This New York-Style Cheesecake is baked, made with ingredients you already have in your kitchen, and can be left plain or topped with your favorite fruit.
How to Make Classic New York-Style Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping from Scratch
I don't know about you but I adore cheesecake! It's creamy, delicious, and really just simply perfect!
If you are looking for another delicious cheesecake recipe, then may we suggest our Fruit Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups? These are the perfect dessert bites and work great for any party!
What I think really sets off this recipe though are the fresh berries! Since it's Summer, there is nothing like enjoying ripe berries straight out of the garden! If you are looking for ways to use up those fresh berries, then check out these reader favorites:
Why You Need to Make This Recipe
You need to make this recipe because it's:
- Easy
- Delicious
- Creamy and dreamy
Expert Tips, Ingredient List and Suggestions for Recipe Success
You will find a complete ingredient list at the bottom of the list. This is just a few suggestions for a couple of the ingredients.
- Cream cheese - you can use fat-free if you'd like. We used regular to make this recipe. **Lay the cream cheese out so it can come to room temperature.
- Clear vanilla extract - make sure to use clear vanilla extract.
- Unsalted butter - always use unsalted butter when baking.
Step by Step Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray your springform pan lightly with a non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: In a medium-sized microwave safe bowl, melt the butter in 20 second bursts.
Step 3: Then add in the graham cracker crumbs and sugar and using a fork, combine the ingredients together.
Step 4: Add the ingredients into a springform pan and press with the mixture into the pan with the bottom of a glass.
Step 5: Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool completely.
Directions for the Cheesecake:
Step 6: In a large bowl, using a stand or hand mixer, beat the cream cheese for 2-3 minutes, or until creamy. (I do 2 bricks at a time)
Step 7: Next, beat in the sugar. Then beat in the vanilla, sour cream, and lemon juice.
Step 8: Add in the eggs, first the 2 egg yolks and then the rest of the eggs, 2 at a time, beating well after each.
Step 9: Place the spring form pan on a baking sheet (in case there are any spills) and pour the mixture into the pan. Bake at 325° for one hour. Check the center after an hour. It should be almost set before you remove it from the oven. If it isn’t, reduce the temperature to 200° and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 10: Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Run a knife around the rim to loosen the cheesecake. Allow to cool for at least an hour.
Step 11: Refrigerate for a minimum of four hours before serving.
Directions for the Strawberry Topping:
Step 12: In a medium-sized bowl, add the strawberries, white granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Mix together well.
Step 13: Add in the strawberry jam or jelly.
Steps 14: Add the strawberry mixture to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 10 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat. Then add in the lemon juice.
Step 15-16: Remove cheesecake from the refrigerator and add the strawberry topping. Enjoy!
FAQ About This Recipe
Yes and no. I have found that it helps it to release better if you do, especially for a New York-Style cheesecake. However, spray it very lightly. You can even wipe it down a bit with a paper towel afterwards to wipe it off if you feel you sprayed too much.
By using not only cream cheese but by also using sour cream. Since the New York cheesecake is more of a dense consistency, you need heavy cream or sour cream to achieve that.
The difference is because the regular cheesecake isn't as rich and indulgent. The addition of the additional cream and eggs makes the New York style one more rich and creamy plus much larger.
Related Recipes
Fruit Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups
📖 Recipe
The Best New York-Style Cheesecake
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Crust:
- 1 cup graham crackers crushed
- 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
Ingredients for the Cheesecake
- 4 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp. clear vanilla extract
- 6 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks at room temp
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Ingredients for the Strawberry topping
- 2 lbs fresh strawberries washed, hulled, cut into fourths
- ¾ cup strawberry jam/jelly
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Instructions
Directions for the Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray your springform pan lightly with a non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium-sized microwave safe bowl, melt the butter in 20 second bursts.
- Then add in the graham cracker crumbs and sugar and using a fork, combine the ingredients together.
- Add the ingredients into a springform pan and press with the mixture into the pan with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool completely.
Directions for the Cheesecake:
- In a large bowl, using a stand or hand mixer, beat the cream cheese for 2-3 minutes, or until creamy. (I do 2 bricks at a time)
- Next, beat in the sugar. Then beat in the vanilla, sour cream, and lemon juice.
- Add in the eggs, first the 2 egg yolks and then the rest of the eggs, 2 at a time, beating well after each.
- Place the spring form pan on a baking sheet (in case there are any spills) and pour the mixture into the pan. Bake at 325° for one hour. Check the center after an hour. It should be almost set before you remove it from the oven. If it isn’t, reduce the temperature to 200° and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Run a knife around the rim to loosen the cheesecake. Allow to cool for at least an hour.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of four hours before serving.
Directions for the Strawberry Topping:
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the strawberries, white granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Mix together well.
- Add in the strawberry jam or jelly.
- Add the strawberry mixture to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 10 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat. Then add in the lemon juice.
- Remove cheesecake from the refrigerator and add the strawberry topping. Enjoy!
MICHAEL A LAW says
This looks delicious!
MICHAEL A LAW says
This sounds amazing! Yum!
Nova S says
im picky about my cheesecake so i like the idea of making my own!