Manhattan Cheesecake

I searched for the perfect cheesecake recipe for an entire year.

THIS

This is the perfect cheesecake.

Philadelphia Cheesecake Recipe

This is what some may call this recipe, but…this delectable gift from your oven is so much more thatn the ingredients used.

I have used Philadelphia cream cheese and unbranded cream cheese in this recipe and there is little difference.

TRUST

Manhattan Cake

This term is just another way to say, “Thanks, Manhattan! You have given us the perfect cheesecake!”

Mmmm, cheesecake.

It’s always nice to see old friends and today it’s the last cheesecake recipe you’ll ever need.

If you haven’t made this badboy yet – yer gonna want to remedy that ASAP.

Look at her:

The Most Perfect Cheesecake

Searching for the most perfect cheesecake you’ll ever taste?

Your search ends here.

This particular cheesecake is the creamiest dream with a whisper of lemon.

The cookie-like crust isn’t a bad touch either.

Ohmygosh, so much swooning over a the most delightful cheesecake!

Our love hasn’t waned one bit and I thought I’d share the recipe again for anyone who missed it the first go around.

SIDE NOTE: For those of you who don’t feel like baking, cause let’s face it – we’re busy busy people, Cheesecake Pie is an ideal alternative.

For those of you READY to bake the most amazing cheesecake you’ve ever put in yer piehole…

THIS (I feel like a proud momma, bombarding you with these pics: ISN’T SHE GORGEOUS?!):

People.  I almost have no words.  This cheesecake is that good.

I have no idea who deserves credit for this recipe; I wish I did. They deserve a kiss.

I cut it out of the food section of a newspaper years ago, and when that paper faded, copied it onto note cards. 

I would happily give credit where credit is due, but I truly have no idea.

Cheesecake Kitchen

Years ago, when I was searching for the perfect Manhattan cheese cake, the kitchen was my cheesecake kitchen.

Every week a new cheesecake was baked and sampled.

Every week I failed to find the perfect cheesecake until this one.

What Is Manhattan Cake?

Um, Manhattan cake is a cake – not a cheesecake.

If you’re here looking for Manhattan Cake, try this link: Manhattan Cake.

It’s Simple

While it’s a simple cheesecake recipe, it is also a bit time-consuming.

But don’t let that stop you.

It’s worth the work and the effort.

Trust me on this.

The added bonus is the arm workout you get from beating the cream cheese into submission!

Consider it calories well spent for those you about to consume.

Once you read through the recipe, you’ll note that you are directed to let the cheesecake sit in the fridge overnight.

DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

Why?

The hours that the cheesecake sits in the fridge is allowing the flavors to marry.

Consider this their wedding night and DO NOT DISTURB.

Also, once the cheesecake has finished baking, leave in the oven, with the door ajar for about an hour or so (longer if the cheesecake is still warm to touch).

This step usually prevents the cheesecake from cooling too fast and thereby cracking.

The dreaded cheesecake crack!

A slow and steady cool down is what you’re after.

What to do if it does crack?

Cry?

NO!

Simply add a topping, chocolate sauce, ganache, fresh fruit, OMT!’s pear or apple butter,  or whatever you desire, over the top, thereby hiding any cracks.

PERFECT CHEESE CAKE!

Y’all we’re baking here – it’s not rocket ship building – we get to zig if the cake develops zags in the form of cracks.

Alright, my babies – if you’ve read this far, congratulations, you no longer have to search for the most amazing cheesecake you’ll ever bake.

Save this post.

Pin it.

Print it.

Write it out longhand.

Just make sure you never lose it.

This most wonderful concoction will become a beloved family tradition.

Count on it.

While I have deprived you of the fun of baking 100 cheesecakes in your quest of a drool-worthy dessert – I have saved you time, which translates to more cheesecake eating!

If you’re anything like me, you are always on the lookout for the “best” recipe for the foods your family loves.

You’re Done

Consider yourself done looking for the best cheesecake recipe: this one is it.

No hyperbole – just fact!

Well, what are you waiting for?

Consider this yer special invitation.

Go!

Git!

Happy Baking, Y’all!

NOTE: IF you prefer a printable recipe, scroll down and BAMMO! there it is!

MANHATTAN CHEESECAKE

CRUST:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. lemon peel zest
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 stick unsalted cold butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

FILLING:

• 5 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese – softened
• 1 3/4 cups of sugar
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 tsp orange peel zest
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon peel zest
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 egg yolks
• 5 eggs
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

CRUST:

1. Combine flour, sugar and lemon peel.
2. Make a well in center of flour and add vanilla, egg yolk and butter.
3. Work quickly with a pastry blender or fingers until well blended.
4. Form into ball and wrap in wax paper.
5. Refrigerate for one hour.
6. After refrigerated for one hour, preheat oven to 400°.
7. Roll out half of dough 1/8 inch thick.
8. Remove sides of 9-inch spring form pan.
9. Butter bottom of pan and place dough on it, trimming off excess.
10. Bake about 9-10 minutes or until crust is golden.
11. Remove and cool completely.
12. When crust is cool, butter sides of pan and attach bottom w/crust.
13. Prepare filling, then finish crust by rolling out remaining dough.
14. Line sides of pan with strips of dough, making sure it does not go up any more than 3/4ths of the way up the pan.

FILLING:

1. Preheat oven to 500°.
2. Beat together cream cheese, sugar, flour, orange and lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth, using a wooden spoon. DO NOT use an electric mixer.
3. Add egg yolks and eggs, one at a time, stirring lightly after each addition.
4. Blend in cream thoroughly.
5. Pour filling into crust, then place in the 500° preheated oven.
6. Bake 10-12 minutes. Reduce heat to 200° and bake an additional hour.
7. If top starts to brown too much, cover with foil.
8. NOTE: DO NOT top cheesecake with foil unless it is browning too quickly.
9. When cheesecake is done remove from oven and cool for one hour in draft-free place.
10. Refrigerate overnight.

NOTES:

~ For the crust, I never fiddle with the sides of the pan. I simply roll out enough for the bottom, filling in any weak spots with extra dough, then bake per instructions.

~ Since oven temps vary (especially in older ovens), you may need another 10ish minutes of baking.

~ When cheesecake is done (will still be a bit wobbly in the center if you shake the pan), I simply turn off the oven, crack the oven door and let it rest there for an hour.

This usually prevents it cooling too fast and thereby cracking.

Cracked Cheesecake?

Oooohhh, noooo!

How Can You Minimize Your Chances Of The Dreaded Cracked Cheesecake?

When cheesecake is done (will still be a bit wobbly in the center if you shake the pan), I simply turn off the oven, crack the oven door and let it rest there for an hour.

This usually prevents it cooling too fast and thereby cracking.

Cheesecake Cracked!

What to do now, you ask.

Easiest baking trick ever: Cover it!

Decide on a topping and cover the crack.

Cheesecake Toppings

The toppings for cheesecake are endless.

• Strawberry Crunch Topping (add a bit of granola to the strawberries)
• Wild Blueberries (sweeter than the jumbo blueberries)
• Chocolate Chip Topping (go with the mini choc-chips. Trust)
• Plain – Naked (oh, my!) 
• Preserves

~Gentle Reminder: OMT uses affiliate links at no cost to you~

One of my favorite toppings is a peach preserve made locally. It’s full of peachy chunks and is a bit savory to the sweet.

Your options are limitless. Decide what you want, spread it around, and, BAMMO!, a beautiful cheesecake.

See? Easy!

The hardest part of this recipe is placing it in the fridge overnight.

BUT DO IT!

When you take that first bite, you’ll be glad you did.

How Long Does Cheesecake Last In The Fridge

This question ALWAYS makes me giggle cause, um, two days? Once folks know it’s in the fridge, it gets eaten!

But, for of you less piggish(!), a cheesecake will be safe to eat 3-4 days after placed in fridge. This guideline is from the USDA.

I would also suggest storing in an airtight glass container, so it doesn’t absorb fridge odors.

Can You Freeze Cheesecake?

You can! If you make the Manhattan Cheesecake and don’t want one bite to go to waste – freeze it.

How To Freeze Cheesecake

You can do this one of two ways:

1. Freeze the entire cheesecake
2. Freeze cheesecake slices

Bothe methods follow the same guidelines;

Wrap either the entire cheesecake or slices in plastic wrap, then cover that in foil.

To make the wrapping easier, you can place entire cake or slices on a baking sheet, then when that is frozen it will hold it’s shape when wrapping.

At this point you could even use a vacuum sealer.

How To Thaw Cheesecake

Put your cake or slices in the fridge overnight for the perfect thaw.

In a hurry?

Too bad. Ha! This goodness should never be rushed.

If you’re tempted to use the microwave, may God be with you, bacause LAWSY – that gonna melt.

Common Cheesecake Mistakes

• Rushing the process (make sure you have adequate time to bake)
• Using cold ingredients (unless recipe calls for it)
• Not allowing proper time to cool before refrigerating (this is tough – you’re gonna want to rush it – DON’T!)
• Using low fat ingredients (STOP IT! This Manhattan Cheesecake is an indulgence to be savored and enjoyed)
• Not keeping close tabs on the timer. (don’t over-bake)

There you have it. This cheesecake has been our family’s favorite for many many years, now it can be yours too!

Continue to Content

Manhattan Cheesecake

Yield: 1 cheesecake

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Active Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Additional Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 9 hours 50 minutes

This Manhattan Cheesecake is the last cheesecake recipe you'll ever need.

Print

Ingredients

CRUST:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. lemon peel zest
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 stick unsalted cold butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

FILLING:

• 5 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese – softened
• 1 3/4 cups of sugar
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 tsp orange peel zest
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon peel zest
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 egg yolks
• 5 eggs
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

CRUST

1. Combine flour, sugar and lemon peel.
2. Make a well in center of flour and add vanilla, egg yolk and butter.
3. Work quickly with a pastry blender or fingers until well blended.
4. Form into ball and wrap in wax paper.
5. Refrigerate for one hour.
6. After refrigerated for one hour, preheat oven to 400°.
7. Roll out half of dough 1/8 inch thick.
8. Remove sides of 9-inch spring form pan.
9. Butter bottom of pan and place dough on it, trimming off excess.
10. Bake about 9-10 minutes or until crust is golden.
11. Remove and cool completely.
12. When crust is cool, butter sides of pan and attach bottom w/crust.
13. Prepare filling, then finish crust by rolling out remaining dough.
14. Line sides of pan with strips of dough, making sure it does not go up any more than 3/4ths of the way up the pan.

FILLING

1. Preheat oven to 500°.
2. Beat together cream cheese, sugar, flour, orange and lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth, using a wooden spoon. DO NOT use an electric mixer.
3. Add egg yolks and eggs, one at a time, stirring lightly after each addition.
4. Blend in cream thoroughly.
5. Pour filling into crust, then place in the 500° preheated oven.
6. Bake 10-12 minutes. Reduce heat to 200° and bake an additional hour.
7. If top starts to brown too much, cover with foil.
8. DO NOT top cheesecake with foil unless it is browning too quickly.
9. When cheesecake is done remove from oven and cool for one hour in draft-free place.
10. Refrigerate overnight.

Notes

~ For the crust, I never fiddle with the sides of the pan. I simply roll out enough for the bottom, filling in any weak spots with extra dough, then bake per instructions.

~ Since oven temps vary (especially in older ovens), you may need another 10ish minutes of baking.

~ When cheesecake is done (will still be a bit wobbly in the center if you shake the pan), I simply turn off the oven, crack the oven door and let it rest there for an hour.

This usually prevents it cooling too fast and thereby cracking.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine, Fast-Compact Food Sealer, Multi-Functional Food Vacuum Sealer with 5 Vacuum Bags & Accessory Hose, Globefish Technology for High-Speed Continuous Working, Silver
• 
  Pot Holders Cotton Made Machine Washable Heat Resistant Potholder, Pot Holder, Hot Pads, Trivet for Cooking and Baking (4, Red)
• 
  Hiware 2-Pack Cooling Racks for Baking - 10" x 15" - Stainless Steel Wire Cookie Rack Fits Jelly Roll Sheet Pan, Oven Safe for Cooking, Roasting, Grilling
• 
  Checkered Chef Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set, 4 Metal Prep Bowls. Dishwasher Safe.
• 
  Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Spring Form Pan, 9-inch
• 
  Microplane 46202 Premium Zester Grater One Size Baby Blue
• 
  Eddington 50002 Italian Olive Wood Cooking Spoon, Handcrafted in Europe, 12-Inches

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

Original Post: May 25, 2015 ~ Updated Post: October 4, 2024

Tired after all that peeking into the oven to make sure yer cheesecake behaves?

OH, BEHAVE!

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Time to SWOOP!

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 This Manhattan Cheesecake will be the delight of everyone who eats it.

~pinky swear~

Get to baking!

Then come back and tell us all about it!

If you liked  this Manhattan Cheesecake post, you might also like this:

The Best Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

Hands Down The Best Cake Filling You’ll Ever Eat

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Happy Baking! Happy Eating!

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