Philadelphia Cheesecake with a French Touch
Rich, creamy, and lusciously indulgent, this Philadelphia Cheesecake is the perfect balance of smooth texture and delightful flavor, complete with Sophie’s French-inspired twist.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup melted butter
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 4 packages (8 oz each ) Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon flour
Optional French Twist Topping
- tablespoon powdered sugar
- Fresh berries or thinly sliced strawberries
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar.
- Add the melted butter and blend well.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form the crust. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.
- Beat in one egg at a time, ensuring each egg is fully blended before adding the next.
- Mix in sour cream and flour, just until combined. Avoid over-mixing to prevent air bubbles.
3. Bake the Philadelphia Cheesecake
- Pour the cream cheese filling over the prepared crust in the springform pan.
- Place the pan on the center rack in the oven and bake for approximately 1 hour or until the center is almost set (it will still have a slight jiggle).
- Turn off the oven, crack open the door, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
4. Chill the Philadelphia Cheesecake
- After cooling in the oven, remove the cheesecake and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. This helps set the cheesecake for perfect slicing.
5. Add the French Touch
- Just before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar.
- Add fresh berries or strawberry slices for an elegant, French-inspired touch.