Best Nora Ephrons Cheesecake Recipes

BEST EVER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Pat into the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of an 8-in. springform pan. Chill. , For filling, beat cream cheese and eggs in a bowl on medium speed for 1 minute. Add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and salt. Continue beating until well blended, about 1 minute. Pour into crust. , Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. For topping, combine the sour cream and remaining sugar and vanilla in a small bowl; spread over cheesecake. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. If desired, serve with whipped cream.

THE BEST NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Add the graham crackers, brown sugar and salt to a food processor and pulse to fine crumbs. Drizzle in the butter and pulse until the crumbs are completely coated with the butter.
• Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and about 1 1/2 inches up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan, with a 1/4-inch thick rim around the border. (Use the bottom of a measuring cup to help make the crust even on the sides and bottom.) Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• For the filling: Meanwhile, whip 3/4 cup of the cream in a medium bowl with a whisk until stiff, fluffy peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes (or 1 to 2 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed); set aside.
• Beat the cream cheese and 1 cup granulated sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the lemon juice, sour cream and vanilla-bean paste and beat until just combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream-cheese mixture with a large rubber spatula.
• Pour the batter into the springform pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Cover tightly and refrigerate until set, 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Just before serving, add the remaining 3/4 cup cream and 1/4 cup granulated sugar to a medium bowl and whip to soft peaks with a whisk, 3 to 4 minutes (or 1 to 2 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed). Spoon the whipped cream into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
• Run a knife around the inside edge of the springform pan to loosen the cake, then open the clasps to release the pan ring. Pipe dollops of whipped cream around the border of the cheesecake and top with fresh berries.

NO-BAKE KEY LIME CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Whisk together cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Stir in butter until mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when squeezed. Press evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze until firm, 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and condensed milk on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add lime juice, zest, and vanilla. Beat 1 minute more.
• In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold into cream-cheese mixture. Pour over chilled crust; smooth top with an offset spatula. Cover with plastic and refrigerate at least 12 hours and up to 3 days.
• Run a knife along cake's edge before releasing sides of pan, then under bottom to loosen. Serve, garnished with lime rounds.

THE BEST NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl until evenly moistened.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Cool completely on a rack. Wrap the bottom and up the sides of the pan with foil and place in a roasting pan.
• For the filling: Add the cream cheese to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add the cream, beating until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the lemon zest and juice, vanilla and salt and beat just until combined, taking care not to over whip. Pour into the crust.
• Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Carefully place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out of the oven). Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come about halfway up the side of the foil-wrapped springform pan.
• Bake until the top of the cheesecake is lightly browned around the edges, but the center still jiggles slightly, about 2 hours.
• Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a rack. Run a knife around the edges and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Bring the cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Remove the springform ring. Dip a knife in warm water and wipe dry before slicing each piece.

NO-BAKE FROZEN S'MORES CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the graham cracker crust: Place the crackers and sugar in a food processor and pulse to break up the crackers, then process continuously until the crackers are crushed into fine crumbs, about 30 seconds.
• Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together with a rubber spatula until combined. (The mixture will be thick.)
• Spray a 7-inch springform pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of springform pan. Use the bottom of a drinking glass or flat measuring cup to press the crumbs into the sides and bottom of the pan, making it as uniform and compact as possible. (The crust will be thick.)
• For the frozen chocolate cheesecake: Put the cream cheese into the bowl of a stand mixer with fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix the cream cheese for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Slowly add the sweetened condensed milk and continue to mix on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides with a spatula and then continue to mix for another minute. Turn off the mixer and add in the cocoa powder and confectioners' sugar.
• Turn on the mixer starting on low, then increase the speed to medium-high and mix until incorporated, about 1 minute.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and fold in the whipped topping by hand.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared graham cracker crust and place in the freezer for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. (If chilling overnight, remove the cheesecake from the freezer after 1 hour and cover with plastic wrap, then return to the freezer.)
• When ready to serve, preheat the broiler. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer and run a sharp paring knife between edge of the springform pan and the graham cracker crust. Open the clasp on the pan and press up from the bottom, allowing the external ring to fall free of the bottom.
• Place the cheesecake on a baking sheet and cover with marshmallows, allowing them to pile up and be stacked highest in the middle.
• Place the cheesecake in the broiler and let broil until the marshmallows start to brown and melt together, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully transfer the cheesecake to a serving plate. Sprinkle the cheesecake with the remaining graham cracker crumbs, if desired. Serve immediately.