Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (2024)

Published: by Chef Dennis Littley

5 from 37 votes

Jump to Recipe

If you’re a cheesecake lover and you’ve never had a Chicago Style Cheesecake, this is definitely a cheesecake recipe you need to try. I promise you won’t be disappointed; every bite is creamy, smooth, rich, and delicious!

Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (1)

This delicious Chicago Style Cheesecake is made with more cream cheese than its cousin, the New York Style Cheesecake. The extra cream cheese gives this cheesecake a fluffier, super soft, moist, and creamy filling that will have your tastebuds longing for another forkful of this amazing cheesecake.

Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (2)

My Chicago Cheesecake Recipe produces a cheesecake that is not quite as dense as a New York-Style Cheesecake, which makes it the perfect dessert after any meal.

Table of Contents:

Ingredients to make a Chicago Style Cheesecake

Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (3)

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make a Chicago Style Cheesecake. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

The added egg yolks, additional cream cheese, and heavy cream (or sour cream) give this cheesecake the texture that sets it apart from a New York Cheesecake.

*Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature.

How do I make a graham cracker crust?

Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (4)
  • Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a mixing bowl and combine the ingredients.
  • Place the graham cracker mixture in the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.
  • Place the springform pan with the graham crust in the freezer while you make the cheesecake filling (a shortbread crust is used by Eli Schulman in Chicago).

How to I make Chicago Style Cheesecake

  • Place a baking pan that the springform pan will fit into the oven.
  • Add enough water to come midway to the springform pan.
  • Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (5)
  • Place the cream cheese into the bowl of a stand mixer and using the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese on medium-low speed until softened.
  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl and under the paddle often. The process should take 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the sugar and flour and continue to mix on low until blended (scraping down the sides as needed).
  • Add the eggs one at a time and mix for about 10 seconds or until just combined.
  • Add the egg yolks two at a time and mix for about 10 seconds or until just combined.
  • Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract and lemon zest and mix until combined.
Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (6)
  • Remove the crust from the freezer and wrap the springform pan with aluminum foil completely covering the bottom of the pan and about three-quarters of the way up the sides of the pan.
  • Pour the cream cheese batter into the prepared graham cracker crust.
  • Carefully place the cheesecake into the preheated water bath.
  • Bake the cheesecake for 12 minutes at 475 degrees then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. The high temperature at the beginning makes all the difference.
  • Let the cheesecake continue to bake until the top of the cheesecake turns golden. That should be about 50 to 60 minutes.
  • Place the fully cooked cheesecake on a wire rack to cool.
  • After cooling refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 6 hours. Overnight is best.
Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (7)

Serve the cheesecake with your fresh berries or your choice of fruit and homemade whipped cream.

Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (8)

Wouldn’t you love to sit down to a slice of this delicious creamy Chicago-style cheesecake?

Recipe FAQ’s

What is the difference between New York Style Cheesecake and Chicago Style Cheesecake?

New York style cheesecake is known for its dense, smooth, rich, and creamy texture. This is because the addition of heavy cream or sour cream tempers the cream cheese. Chicago Cheesecake is known for its firm outside and soft and creamy center, which comes from the extra cream cheese that is added to the batter.

Can cheesecake be frozen?

Cheesecake is one of the desserts that freezes exceptionally well. Just make sure to give it time to thaw before serving. Allowing the cheesecake to freeze solid and then double wrap it in plastic wrap will keep it safe from picking up unwanted flavors in your freezer and protect it from freezer burn.

How do I keep my cheesecake from cracking?

The easiest way to keep your cheesecake from cracking is to set the springform pan inside the water bath. Find a pan large enough to accommodate the cheesecake pan and then fill it about ⅓ of the way with hot water. Preheat the oven as normal and very carefully place the foil-wrapped springform pan into the water bath and bake as normal. The water bath helps bake the cake more evenly and keeps it from drying out and cracking.

More Cheesecake Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Classic New York Cheesecake Recipe
  • Italian Ricotta Cheesecake with Berries
  • Lemon Cheesecake with a White Chocolate Ganache
  • No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

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Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (13)

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5 from 37 votes

Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe

If you're a cheesecake lover my Chicago Style Cheesecake is a cheesecake you definitely need to try. The texture is super soft, moist and creamy and is guaranteed not to disappoint.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Resting Time6 hours hrs

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10

Calories: 709kcal

Equipment

  • 10 inch springform pan

Ingredients

Crust

  • cup graham cracker crumbs or shortbread crumbs
  • 4 tablespoon butter melted

Cheesecake

  • lbs cream cheese
  • cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

Crust

  • Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F

  • Combine graham cracker crumbs, and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Mix well and place in the bottom of a 10 -inch springform pan.

  • Place the crust in the freezer while you make the cheesecake filling.

Cheesecake

  • Place the cream cheese into the bowl of a stand mixer and using the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese on medium-low speed until softened.

    Scrape down the sides of the bowl and under the paddle often. The process should take 2-3 minutes.

  • Add the sugar and flour and continue to mix on low until blended (scraping down the sides as needed).

  • Add the eggs one at a time and mix for about 10 seconds or until just combined.

  • Add the egg yolks two at a time and mix for about 10 seconds or until just combined.

  • Add the heavy cream, vanilla and lemon zest and mix until combined.

    Don't over mix the batter!

  • Remove the crust from the freezer and pour in the cheesecake filling.

  • Carefully place the cheesecake into the preheated water bath. Bake the cheesecake for 12 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.

  • Let the cheesecake continue to bake until the top of the cheesecake turns golden. That should be about 50 to 60 minutes.

  • Place the cheesecake on a wire rack to cool.

  • After cooling refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 6 hours. Overnight is best.

  • Serve the cheesecake with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 709kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 288mg | Sodium: 475mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 2044IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

About Chef Dennis

Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home.For more details, check out his About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 37 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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  1. Deborah Eck

    Hi Chef. Do I need to adjust the recipe to accomodate a 9” pan?

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      It’s going to be too much batter for a 9 inch pan, but you can make the excess batter into cupcake size cheesecakes. That would actually be easier than trying to scale down the recipe by 1/6

      Reply

  2. par

    hi chef can i omit the lemon zest? do i need to adjust with sugar or something because it expensive here in our country,

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      yes you can leave out the lemon zest and there is no need to adjust the sugar.

      Reply

  3. Paulette

    Does this mean I need 8 eggs today total to make your Chicago cheesecake recipe ?

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      That is correct. 4 whole eggs and 4 egg yolks.

      Reply

  4. Mary

    Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (15)
    Love the recipe. The recipe calls
    For four large eggs and then four
    Egg yolks, does this means four extra yolks?

    Reply

    • Chef Dennis Littley

      thats correct 4 eggs and 4 additional egg yolks

      Reply

Chicago Style Cheesecake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and Chicago style cheesecake? ›

New York style cheesecake is known for its dense, smooth, rich, and creamy texture. This is because the addition of heavy cream or sour cream tempers the cream cheese. Chicago Cheesecake is known for its firm outside and soft and creamy center, which comes from the extra cream cheese that is added to the batter.

What is the secret to making good cheesecake? ›

Must-Know Tips for Baking the Perfect Cheesecake (Without a Water Bath!)
  1. Use room temperature ingredients.
  2. Take it easy on the eggs.
  3. Don't open the oven!
  4. Free your crust!
  5. Cool at room temperature before moving to the fridge.
Jan 30, 2019

What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and regular cheesecake? ›

Regular cheesecake relies on heavy cream and sour cream to thin the batter and create a silkier, creamier texture. New York cheesecake is heavy on the cream cheese which is why it's so dense and rich. Extra cream cheese isn't the only thing that makes New York cheesecake so special.

Is it better to use flour or cornstarch for cheesecake? ›

Step 10: Corn Starch Added

It did result in a more cake like texture as well. If you want to add something to thicken your cheesecake then I would definitely recommend this over flour to thicken it.

What are the three types of cheesecake? ›

New York style cheesecake, classic cheesecake, and no bake cheesecake are the most popular types of cheesecakes, but the best cheesecake flavor is the one that you find irresistible — and that may be different for everyone.

Why do you put sour cream in cheesecake? ›

Cheesecake is clearly a different animal from bundts or cupcakes, but sour cream has a place here too! Combined with even more densely rich cream cheese, sour cream actually tempers the star ingredient a touch, softening its texture. It also adds another layer of tangy flavor and moisture to a cheesecake.

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

Cold ingredients are a big no-no when it comes to cheesecake. If your ingredients are cold you will have to mix them longer which will whip too much air into your batter. If the cake has too much air, it will rise too much in the oven and then the middle will sink when cooling. Nobody wants a sad, sunken cheesecake.

What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›

Eggs: Three whole eggs hold the cheesecake together. I also add an extra yolk, which enhances the cake's velvety texture. (Whites tend to lighten the cake, which is actually fine — if you don't feel like separating that fourth egg and don't mind some extra airiness in the texture, just add in the whole egg.)

Which baking method is best for cheesecake? ›

Classic Cheesecake Recipe. Look no further for a creamy and ultra smooth classic cheesecake recipe! Paired with a buttery graham cracker crust, no one can deny its simple decadence. For the best results, bake in a water bath.

What is a Biltmore cheesecake? ›

Biltmore Cheesecake, Vanilla Bean. Product details Creamy vanilla cheesecake in a golden graham crust. A legacy of taste and hospitality since 1895. Made with imported Madagascar vanilla beans.

Why do you add flour to cheesecake? ›

Flour or cornstarch is sometimes included in cheesecake recipes to preventing cracks. If you find that you always have problems with cracking and your cheesecake recipe does not call for any flour or cornstarch, it's ok to experiment and add some cornstarch (one to two tablespoons) to the batter when you add the sugar.

Is baked or unbaked cheesecake better? ›

They both are great in their own way. It all narrows down to your personal preferences. If you enjoy dense and velvety cake, a baked cheesecake is the one for you. Or if you crave some light and airy dessert post-dinner, go for the no-bake one.

Can you over mix cheesecake batter? ›

When making your filling, overmixing can lead to incorporating too much air into the batter. Once baked, the air bubbles will burst, and the cheesecake will fall and crack. THE FIX: The number one reason why you'd overbeat your batter is because you're having dificulty incorporating cold ingredients.

Why is my no bake cheesecake so runny? ›

If your cheese cake doesn't taste creamy, or if it's gone runny despite using fridge-cold ingredients, the most likely reason is that you used low fat ingredients. Use full fat cream cheese (ideally 33% fat or higher) and heavy cream (around 37% fat).

Should cheesecake batter be thick? ›

Keep an eye on the mixture – no matter how you are mixing it. You want to make sure the cheesecake thickens.

What characterizes New York style cheesecakes? ›

New York style is known for its (iconic) graham cracker crust, smooth texture, and dense middle. It's picturesque even. It leans on cream cheese as the star in its flavor profile. Burnt Basque, on the other hand, appears burnt on the outside and doesn't have a crust at all.

Who has the best New York style cheesecake? ›

New York City Cheesecakes
  • Sea Fire Grill. (1,162) Open Now. ...
  • The Landmark Tavern. (404) Open Now. ...
  • Keens Steakhouse. (6,893) Open Now. ...
  • Toscana 49. (768) Open Now. ...
  • Hangawi. (653) Open Now. Asian, Korean$$$$ Menu. ...
  • IL Punto Ristorante. (1,623) Open Now. Italian$$ - $$$ Menu. ...
  • Masseria Dei Vini. (613) Open Now. Italian$$$$ ...
  • Rice to Riches.

Are cheesecake Factory cheesecakes New York style? ›

The dessert might be famous for its New York-style and typical Philadelphia cream cheese base, but cheesecakes are still popular outside the United States.

What is the difference between French cheesecake and New York cheesecake? ›

A French Style Cheesecake is simple, elegant, and a bit different than the popular one New York Cheesecake. The French one it's creamier and leaves you with a strong vanilla flavor from the first bite.

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