Looking for the perfect cheesecake recipe? We promise that at least one of our 14 best cheesecakes will fit the bill. From even-toned New York-style cakes to the burnt and beautiful Basque-style cheesecake, we’re sharing a range of sweet-as-can-be recipes for dessert tonight. Grab a few packages of cream cheese, a box of graham crackers, a bottle of vanilla extract and heavy cream, then start baking.
Here you’ll find several easy no-bake recipes, which make the intimidating process of baking a cheesecake so much more manageable. Skip steps like long cook times, beating a half a dozen egg yolks, and filling a fussy water bath in favor of simple recipes that chill overnight. Typically, the filling is made with a combination of sweetened cream cheese and whipped cream. It may be flavored with other ingredients like macerated strawberries or chocolate chips, or chilled and served as is.
For a traditional-style cheesecake, the process is a little more complex, but worth the effort. You’ll whip together a few basic ingredients such as cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract and lemon juice, pour the filling over a graham cracker crust and then bake the whole thing in an oven. Place a water bath on a rack set underneath the cake pan, which will help to keep the top of the cheesecake from forming unsightly cracks.
From bars to full-form cakes inspired by other desserts like cannolis, carrot cake and churros, everyone will want a slice of these sweet cheesecakes (and then some).
Carrie Parente
Get The Recipe
Easy No-Bake Cheesecake
Carrie Parente
Some cheesecake recipes require a fussy water bath and a dozen egg yolks, but not this one. You only need five ingredients — graham crackers, butter, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Whip everything together, spread it into the graham cracker crust and chill until firm.
Nina Elder
Get The Recipe
Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars
Nina Elder
This is the ultimate 2-in-1 spring dessert. Swirl carrot cake batter into a creamy cheesecake filling to create a gorgeous marbleized effect that sets up once baked.
Elena Besser
Get The Recipe
Mini-Pumpkin Ginger Cheesecakes with Pecan Brittle and Maple Cream
Elena Besser
Come fall, we’re all about finding ways to incorporate more and more pumpkin into our diet. This 2-in-1 dessert takes everything you love about classic pumpkin pie and marries it with a spiced cheesecake. “Preparing the cheesecake in individual portions adds elegance that will make your Thanksgiving dessert quite the showstopper, plus, save time in the kitchen,” writes recipe developer Elena Besser.
TODAY
Get The Recipe
Hummingbird Cheesecake
Chris Ryan
Inspired by the popular southern cake, this cheesecake features all the essentials. That is, pecans, pineapples and bananas. Pecans are toasted and ground, then folded into the graham cracker crust. As for the filling, mashed ripe bananas and crushed pineapple are folded into the classic duo of sour cream and cream cheese.
Carrie Parente
Get The Recipe
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
Carrie Parente
For the easiest cheesecake ever, start with prepared graham cracker crusts. Then, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form and fold it with macerated strawberries and cream cheese. Transfer the filling to the pie crust and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. You read that right—no need to even turn on your oven!
Courtesy Alejandra Tapia
Get The Recipe
Churro Cheesecake
Alejandra Tapia
Just one bite of this cheesecake captures the total essence of a deep-fried cinnamon-sugar churro. But the thing that really makes this cake standout from the rest is its crust; unlike a traditional graham cracker crust, this one is made with store-bought croissant dough.
Jessie Sheehan
Get The Recipe
No-Bake Cannoli Cheesecake
Jessie Sheehan
To say that we’re obsessed with this cannoli-inspired cheesecake would be an understatement. And this recipe just so happens to be one of our most popular cheesecake recipes on TODAY Food. “Orange zest and cinnamon give the cake loads of Italian pastry vibes,” adds recipe developer Jessie Sheehan.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
Get The Recipe
Valerie Bertinelli's Sugar-Free Cheesecake
Valerie Bertinelli
A natural sugar replacement is used in both the crust and filling of this better-for-you cheesecake from Valerie Bertinelli. Bonus: the crust is totally gluten-free, thanks to a duo of almond flour and pecans.
Courtesy Better Homes and Gardens
Get The Recipe
Maple Cheesecake Bars
Jocelyn Delk Adams
This recipe will be the standout of your holiday table, guaranteed. A pomegranate compote, vanilla bean whipped cream and maple-infused cream cheese filling transform an otherwise ordinary cheesecake into a delicious and festive dessert.
Nathan Congleton / TODAY
Get The Recipe
Joy Bauer's Mini Cheesecakes
Joy Bauer
For light-as-air cheesecakes that taste just as good as the real deal, use part-skim ricotta cheese and light cream cheese; both contain less fat, but offer a dreamy, creamy texture.
Buttermilk Pantry
Get The Recipe
Basque Burnt Cheesecake
Buttermilk Pantry
Unlike a traditional New York cheesecake, this dark brown cheesecake is known for its caramelized exterior and super creamy interior. This practically foolproof recipe is a must-try for cheesecake lovers.
Nathan Congleton/TODAY
Get The Recipe
Duff Goldman's Bomb Cheesecake
Duff Goldman
Celebrity pastry chef Duff Goldman shared his go-to recipe for vanilla bean cheesecake with TODAY Food. For the luscious filling, he uses a combination of whole eggs and egg yolks, plus cream cheese and sour cream.
Cayla Gallagher / Unicorn Food
Get The Recipe
No-Bake Rainbow Cheesecake
Cayla Gallagher
Kids will adore this ultra-colorful layered cheesecake, which features a crust made from crushed animal crackers. Bake this for a birthday party and you’ll be the sweetest hero among little ones everywhere.
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY
Get The Recipe
Triple Threat Chocolate Cheesecake
Donatella Arpaia
This decadent cheesecake isn’t for the faint of heart. A chocolate graham cracker crust is topped with a bittersweet chocolate cream cheese filling and chocolate glaze.
Joy Bauer
Get The Recipe
Cheesecake Brownie Bites
Joy Bauer
No one would ever suspect that these bite-sized brownies are good for you. But thanks to some ingredients like whole wheat flour, applesauce, light cream cheese and light sour cream, it really is.