Classic Fresh Blueberry Cheesecake

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🛒 Ingredients

1. The Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 ½ cups Graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheets)

  • 6 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted

  • ¼ cup Granulated sugar

  • Pinch of salt

2. The Creamy Filling

  • 24 oz (3 blocks) Full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (very important!)

  • 1 cup Granulated sugar

  • 1 cup Full-fat sour cream, room temperature

  • 3 large Eggs, room temperature

  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp Lemon zest (optional, for brightness)

  • 1 ½ cups Fresh blueberries (tossed in 1 tsp flour to prevent sinking)

3. The Blueberry Compote Topping

  • 2 cups Fresh blueberries (divided)

  • ⅓ cup Granulated sugar

  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice

  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Crust

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Mix crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until it looks like wet sand.

  3. Press firmly into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.

  4. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.

  5. Lower oven temp to 325°F (160°C).

Step 2: Make the Filling

  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until perfectly smooth (about 3 minutes). Scrape the sides of the bowl.

  2. Add sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest. Beat until combined.

  3. Add eggs one at a time on low speed. Mix just until the yellow disappears. Do not overbeat here, or you’ll trap air that causes cracks.

  4. Gently fold in the 1 ½ cups of flour-dusted blueberries with a spatula.

Step 3: The Water Bath & Bake

  1. Wrap the outside of your springform pan in 2–3 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in.

  2. Place the pan in a large roasting tray. Pour the batter into the crust.

  3. Place the tray in the oven and carefully pour hot water into the roasting tray until it reaches halfway up the side of the springform pan.

  4. Bake for 55–70 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center should still have a “Jell-O” jiggle.

Step 4: The Slow Cool (Crucial!)

  1. Turn off the oven and crack the door open a few inches. Let the cheesecake sit inside for 1 hour.

  2. Remove from the water bath and let it cool completely on the counter.

  3. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight.

Step 5: The Blueberry Topping

  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat.

  2. Once the berries start to burst and release juice, stir in the cornstarch slurry.

  3. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened and glossy.

  4. Remove from heat and fold in the remaining 1 cup of fresh berries. Let cool completely before spooning over the chilled cheesecake.

Pro Tip: To get those “bakery-perfect” slices, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe it clean between every single cut.

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