Finally! A gluten free cheesecake so good, you'll want to make it over and over! A sweet and crunchy gluten free and nut free cheesecake crust made from gluten free oats surrounds thick and creamy traditional New York Style Cheesecake.
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Maybe it's the summer, maybe it's this baby. Whatever it is, the current obsession is anything cheese and strawberry related. Would you mind if we venture down this little path of sweet cheese things? All signs are pointing to a favorite destination filled with delicious cheesecake.
Remember the other week when we made cheesecake crust and it was beautiful, crunchy, sweet, gluten free and nut free? That was a good time. Don't take your party hat off yet because it's time to fill up that crust with creamy, vanilla cheesecake. New York style.
What makes a New York Style Cheesecake?
Are all cheesecakes created equal? You bet they aren't. Sure, they can all be delicious. Being a New York Style Cheesecakes takes a little more, which I think is pretty in line to being a New Yorker in general.
But the cheesecake...
New York style cheesecake is typically a bit denser, heavier but still creamy. It's sweet but not without loosing the tang of the cream cheese. The crust is the right amount of crumbly and crunchy with a subtle touch of cinnamon. Creamy, white cheesecake throughout with the perfect ring of browned edges on the top.
If you're a lover of cheesecake, having a slice of Junior's cheesecake is a bucket list must. This cheesecake recipe right here is my closest at-home copy of Junior's.
Tips for baking cheesecake
Cheesecake can be a fickle thing. Making sure it's cooked through without overcooking. Not getting any cracks in the top. And then there's that whole springform pan thing. Its a pan, no it's a plate, no it has a weird ring around it. How do you keep the water out??
Here are my favorite tips:
Water bath, water bath, water bath - while there are a few different opinions on whether the cheesecake needs to physically be in the bath or just over it on the rack above. My tip:bake it in the bath.
My favorite water bath pan is a 3.5 quart braising pan from Cuisinart. Something like this pan
is the closest I could find as a similar product on Amazon. A larger cake pan, foil pan or anything that is oven safe and ok to cook with water (not cast iron or enameled) will work too.
Wrapping the pan. A little restaurant trick here. After the crust is done cooking, let it cool just a smidge. Lay two pieces of plastic wrap perpendicular to each other - like an even shape 't'. Wrap the bottom of the still warm pan, because the pan is still fairly hot (be careful or use a kitchen towel to help!) the plastic will mold around the bottom without melting, creating a waterproof seal. Then wrap with aluminum foil.
If this option weirds you out, you can wrap with foil then use slow cooker liners
.
Bake it, rest it, and heaven help anyone who opens the oven. Achieving that dense yet creamy texture is a tall order. You need the cheesecake to cook through without overcooking. The solution to this problem is to cook it, turn off the oven, then let it rest in the steamy oven. The cake will continue to set as the oven cools off while maintaining this steamy, humid environment from the water bath.
Refrigerate overnight. Four hours will get the job done, but overnight is ideal.
Batter + Toppings
The batter itself is really foolproof and comes together easily. Easiest is when your cream cheese is room temperature so it will beat up without lumps.
My all time favorite trick that has made a huge difference in all my cheesecakes - cornstarch. Just one tablespoon.
For toppings, you can go the sweet strawberry gooey road like you see here. Or try a few other delicious creations:
- Small Batch Salted Caramel Sauce
- Strawberry Rhubarb Butter - Erika's Gluten Free Kitchen
- Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting - Tara Teaspoon
- Grilled Cherries in Spiced Butter Rum Sauce - Vintage Kitty
Are you ready to transport yourself to the big apple with one bite of this creamy, dense, delicious dessert? Let's get the ovens preheated because things are about to get mighty tasty.
Loved this recipe but want something easier to serve? Try these Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Bars!
New York Style Cheesecake | Gluten Free Nut Free
Ingredients
New York Style Cheesecake
- 1 recipe Gluten Free Nut Free Cheesecake Crust
- 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g )
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 large eggs
Strawberry Glaze
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
New York Style Cheesecake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until creamy about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Beat the sugar into the cream cheese until fully incorporated - 2 minutes - scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- On low speed, add the vanilla and corn starch. Add the eggs, one at a time. Raise the speed to medium and mix until the ingredients are well incorporated incorporated, about 1 minute.
- Pour the batter into the cooled crust in a wrapped springform pan¹ and bake for 1 hour in a water bath.² After 1 hour, shut off the oven and without opening the door let rest for 1 hour more.
- After resting, remove from the water bath and remove the foil and wrap. Chill overnight in the refrigerator.
Strawberry Glaze
- In a medium saucepan, combine the ingredients and cook over low heat stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Cook for 25 minutes on low until sauce begins to thicken. Strawberries will dissolve as it cooks.
- Push through a strainer with a spatula to remove any remaining chunks of strawberries and let cool 15 to 20 minutes before using.
- Pour over the cake while in the springform pan OR over each individual slice. The strawberry glaze is thin and light so it will spread if pouring it over the cake, especially if it is not cooled completely.
Andrea says
My go-to cheesecake recipe. Paired with the granola crust, it’s seriously the best cheesecake I’ve ever had. It’s a lot of work but so worth it. I prefer a fresh blueberry topping but I’m sure it’s also great with strawberries! 😋
Lauren says
Thank you so much for your rating Andrea!! So glad you love it!
Laurie says
I am wondering what size of spring form pan to use? I re-read the recipe but I don't think it specified, unless I missed it? Thanks!
Lauren says
Hi Laurie - either an 8-inch or a 9-inch pan will work!
Sara says
This looks like such a yummy dessert! i love cheesecake and would love to share one with a friend who is gluten free, like this one! For a total golden girls style chat session. HA!
Nicole L Washington says
This cheesecake looks awesome! I want to take a bite through the screen.
Rachel says
I've been craving cheesecake! Local strawberries are in season where I live at the moment. I'd love to top this perfect looking cheese cake with your delicious looking glaze and fresh berries. Yum!
Michele @ Queenbeebaker says
This cheesecake looks so creamy and perfect. I LOVE the strawberry glaze that you added. Sounds SINful!
Jennifer says
It seems like I ALWAYS get a crack down the center of my cheesecake, so I love your tips on how to bake it! Looking forward to trying them out!
Karyl Henry says
All these tips are why I never make cheesecake...I know in my brain that I will screw it up and end up with a mess! I love the simplicity of your cheesecake, and it looks divine. Maybe I'll just get someone else to make it for me 🙂
Anne Murphy says
That suggestion to wrap the man sounds good! I'm going to have to try that! And as an ex=pat (ex-urb?) New Yorker in a household of the same, I think I"m going to have to make this...
Kim @ Berly's Kitchen says
I would love to have a slice of this right now. NY Cheesecakes are some of my favorites. This one looks fantastic and super smooth and creamy.
Pearl Rodrigues says
I've made the New York style cheesecake many times however I've always been looking out for better recipes. This tops my list. It's absolutely divine and super creamy. Thank you !! My family loves this one ...
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
This looks perfect! Can you believe I have never made a cheesecake before?
Also, I crave strawberry and cheese all times of the year, so I don't think it is weird at all!
Lauren says
Haha, I'm glad I'm not alone in my fruit and cheese cravings!
Mackenzie Ryan says
New York style cheesecake is my favorite! I love all the great tips that you put with this to help it cook perfectly! Thanks!
Lauren says
Thanks Mackenzie!
Jenni LeBaron says
This looks so creamy and scrumptious! Love a good cheesecake like this!