Description
Homemade birthday cheesecake brings classic comfort to celebration tables with rich, creamy texture. Delicate graham cracker crust and smooth cream cheese filling promise sweet memories you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 packages (8 oz or 226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (126 g) graham cracker crumbs
- 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 6–8 oz (170–226 g) whipped cream
- ½ cup rainbow jimmies (or sprinkles)
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar
- Extra rainbow jimmies for garnish
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pulverize graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until achieving a texture resembling damp sand, then firmly press the mixture into a parchment-lined springform pan, covering the bottom and slightly ascending the sides.
- Foil Protection: Meticulously wrap the pan’s exterior with heavy-duty aluminum foil to shield against water penetration during baking.
- Cream Cheese Mixing: Utilize a stand mixer to transform softened cream cheese into a silky-smooth consistency, gradually introducing sugar and beating until achieving a light, airy texture.
- Liquid Integration: Gently fold in sour cream and vanilla extract, then delicately incorporate eggs one at a time, maintaining a luxurious batter composition.
- Sprinkle Infusion: Tenderly blend rainbow jimmies throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution using a spatula.
- Baking Setup: Position the filled springform pan inside a larger roasting pan, then slide into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, carefully adding hot water to create a water bath reaching midway up the pan’s sides.
- Baking Process: Allow the cheesecake to bake for 60-70 minutes, monitoring for a golden surface and a subtle jiggle at the center when gently nudged.
- Cooling and Finishing: Remove from the oven and water bath, letting the cheesecake cool completely on a wire rack, then adorn with whipped cream swirls and an additional sprinkle of rainbow jimmies for a festive presentation.
Notes
- Seal Pan Carefully: Wrap the springform pan tightly with aluminum foil to prevent water seepage during the water bath, which can ruin the cheesecake’s texture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature to create a smoother, lump-free batter and prevent cracking.
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix eggs into the batter one at a time and blend gently to maintain a silky, crack-free cheesecake consistency.
- Cooling Strategy: Allow the cheesecake to cool gradually at room temperature to prevent sudden temperature changes that can cause surface cracks, ensuring a perfect, smooth finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 366
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg