A perfectly baked cheesecake is one of the most luxurious desserts you can make. It has a silky-smooth texture, a rich and creamy filling, and a buttery cookie crust to balance the flavor. The cheesecake in your image appears to be a New York–style baked cheesecake topped with a shiny caramel layer and decorated with fresh berries and mint. This type of cheesecake is famous for its velvety interior and lightly browned top, which occurs when the sugar caramelizes under heat.
This recipe walks you through every step — from crust to filling, baking techniques, cooling, and decorating — so you get a cheesecake that looks exactly like the one in your picture.
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INGREDIENTS
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Crust
- 250 g digestive biscuits or graham crackers (about 2 cups crushed)
- 100 g melted butter (7 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- A pinch of salt
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Cheesecake Filling
- 750 g cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
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Caramel Glaze (Optional but looks like the photo)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3–4 tablespoons cream
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Topping
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Cherries (fresh or soaked)
- Fresh mint leaves
🥣 STEP 1 — MAKE THE COOKIE CRUST
A cheesecake is only as good as its crust. The crust supports the creamy filling, adds texture, and creates that perfect contrast with every bite.
✔ Crush the Cookies
Use a food processor to pulse the cookies into fine crumbs.
If you don’t have one, place the biscuits in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
✔ Add Butter
Mix the crumbs with melted butter until fully combined.
It should resemble wet sand and stick together when pressed.
✔ Press into the Pan
Pour the mixture into a 22–24 cm (9-inch) springform pan.
Use a spoon or the bottom of a glass to press it tightly and evenly.
✔ Chill the Crust
Refrigerate 15 minutes or bake for 8 minutes at 170°C for a firmer base.
🥛 STEP 2 — PREPARE THE CHEESECAKE FILLING
The creamy filling is the heart of the cheesecake. To get the silky texture seen in the photo, remember:
All ingredients must be at room temperature.
Cold ingredients cause lumps.
✔ Beat the Cream Cheese
Beat the cream cheese for about 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
✔ Add Sugar
Add the granulated sugar and beat again.
Scrape the bowl frequently.
✔ Add the Eggs One at a Time
Add each egg slowly, mixing just until incorporated.
Do not overbeat — too much air causes cracks.
✔ Add Sour Cream, Cream, Vanilla, Lemon & Salt
Mix in:
- Sour cream
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
- A pinch of salt
The lemon brightens the flavor.
✔ Add Cornstarch
Cornstarch stabilizes the cheesecake and prevents cracking.
Mix until smooth.
Your batter should be thick, creamy, and pourable.
🔥 STEP 3 — BAKING THE CHEESECAKE
To get a cheesecake that is creamy without sinking or cracking, follow this method.
✔ Water Bath Method (Best Results)
Wrap the outside of the springform pan with aluminum foil to prevent water from entering.
Place the cheesecake pan inside a larger baking tray.
Pour hot water halfway up the sides of the pan.
✔ Bake
Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 55–75 minutes.
The cheesecake is done when:
- The edges are set
- The center jiggles slightly like jelly
Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside for 1 hour with the door slightly open.
This prevents cracking and helps the top stay smooth like in the picture.
✔ Chill Overnight
Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
This step gives the filling time to firm up and develop flavor.
🍮 STEP 4 — ADDING THE CARAMELIZED TOP
The cheesecake in your image has a beautiful caramelized glaze on top. You can achieve that in two ways:
Option A — Homemade Caramel Sauce (Glossy and Sweet)
- Heat sugar and water in a pan over medium heat.
- Allow it to melt and turn golden amber.
- Add butter and cream carefully.
- Mix until smooth.
Pour a thin layer over the chilled cheesecake.
Option B — Browning With a Torch (Crème Brûlée Style)
Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar over the top.
Use a kitchen torch to melt and brown the sugar.
This gives the exact texture shown in the image.
🍓 STEP 5 — DECORATE WITH FRESH BERRIES
To match your photo:
✔ Add Fresh Raspberries
Arrange them in the center.
✔ Add Blackberries or Cherries
Place them around the raspberries to create color contrast.
✔ Add Mint Leaves
A small sprig of mint enhances the look and adds freshness.
Make sure the berries are dry so they don’t bleed into the caramel layer.
🍽️ STEP 6 — SERVING THE CHEESECAKE
Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to cut clean slices.
Wipe the knife between cuts for smooth edges.
Serve chilled for best texture.
This cheesecake is perfect for:
- birthdays
- celebrations
- holiday dinners
- romantic evenings
- Ramadan or Eid tables
- family gatherings
Its creamy texture and caramelized top make it a show-stopping dessert.
💡 PRO TIPS FOR A PERFECT CHEESECAKE
- Don’t overbeat the batter. It adds air and causes cracks.
- Use room-temperature ingredients. Prevents lumps.
- Always chill overnight. The flavor deepens dramatically.
- Bake in a water bath. Guarantees a smooth, creamy texture.
- Use high-quality vanilla for the best flavor.
- Let the crust cool before adding filling. Prevents sogginess.
- Torch the sugar quickly to avoid melting the top layer.
🎉 OPTIONAL VARIATIONS
✔ Lemon Cheesecake
Add lemon zest and reduce vanilla.
✔ Chocolate Cheesecake
Add melted dark chocolate to the batter.
✔ Berry Swirl Cheesecake
Swirl berry jam into the top before baking.
✔ Salted Caramel Cheesecake
Sprinkle sea salt flakes over the caramel.