Best Cherry Cheesecake (video)

This is a silky smooth cheesecake topped sky-high with gorgeous plump red cherries. This ultimate cherry cheesecake is completely made from scratch and is very easy to make. So, if you are looking for a showstopping dessert, look no further – this is it!

Nothing beats a decadent cherry cheesecake. There is just something classic and special about it. This particular cheesecake recipe is exceptionally smooth and creamy because it’s made mostly with sour cream instead of cream cheese. It has a unique tang to it and it’s lighter in texture than a traditional cheesecake because of the amount of sour cream in it. It’s also topped with a homemade cherry sauce, instead of canned, which is so much tastier and more satisfying. Here are some reviews:

“I just made this cake and it was a big hit at our family gathering! Tasted very light too, which I loved. I always use your recipes. Thank you!”-Luna

“Fantastic recipe! Never baked one before so thought I would and it was a big hit:). Will definitely be doing this one again.” – Patricia

How to make cherry cheesecake:

1. Mix together the honey graham cracker crumbs with some melted butter until all is moistened. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9″ springform pan. Bake at 325F for 10 minutes. Set aside to let cool.
2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well in between.
3. Blend in the sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Pour the batter over the crust and bake at 325F for about an hour or until almost set. Let cool in the oven with the door ajar for 1 hour and bring to room temperature on the counter. Then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours.

How to make cherry topping for cheesecake:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat up the fresh or frozen pitted cherries, granulated sugar, and water until heated through.
2. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and almond extract. Continue to cook until sauce thickens.

Expert tips:

• Use good-quality cream cheese like Philadelphia brand. I’ve used no-name brands in the past and the results aren’t the same, so stick with the good stuff.
• Use full-fat sour cream for the creamiest cheesecake. You could also get away with low-fat sour cream in this recipe, but it won’t be as creamy as using full-fat. Do not use fat-free.
• How to tell when the cheesecake is done – Because there is a large amount of sour cream in this cheesecake it will jiggle more and have a larger soft spot in the center when done. Once the edges are lightly browned AND there is about 2-3 inches of the center still wobbly, the cheesecake is done.

Why did my cheesecake crack? 

Cracks in cheesecakes are usually caused by one of these 3 reasons:

1. Overmixing the batter – Only mix as much as you need to in order to make the batter smooth and mix in the eggs on low speed. Overmixing incorporates too much air and will cause the cheesecake to rise and then collapse as it cools.
2. Drastic temperature change – Big cracks are often caused by drafts or drastic temperature changes. So try not to open your oven door unless necessary and slowly cool your cheesecake by leaving it in the oven with the door ajar for an hour.
3. Overbaking the cheesecake – If a cheesecake is overbaked, it will be dry and crack once settled. This is often the main reason.

What to do if your cheesecake cracks:

If your cheesecake cracks while it’s cooling, don’t worry, it will still taste great. Just cover it up with some toppings and no one will know the difference. Now, if your cheesecake cracks while it’s baking, then chances are it won’t be as creamy, but don’t throw it out. Top it with some whipped cream or sweetened sour cream and everything will be just fine.

You might also like:

• Eggnog Cheesecake (If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen)
• Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Bars (We Are Not Martha)
• Best Pumpkin Cheesecake
• White Chocolate Cheesecake
• Low-Fat Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

This cheesecake is perfect for any special occasion. Not only is it beautiful to present, but it also tastes amazing. Each bite consists of a creamy melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake and juicy cherries bursting with flavor.

Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.

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Recipe adapted from Canadian Living. This recipe was originally published on Feb 12, 2016. It has been recently updated with step-by-step photo instructions and more information.

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