Shavuot is just around the corner! And I can’t wait to make some cheesecake.
Now of course, I could eat this heavenly stuff year-round, but for some reason, I don’t.
Do you? Or, like my family, do you seem to save your cheesecake-making efforts for this yummy holiday?
Either way, I imagine that a number of us are in search of the PERFECT cheesecake recipe right now, so I thought I’d make your life a little easier with this round-up.
Classic New York-Style Cheesecake Recipes
Philadelphia’s Classic Cheesecake This is the classic. The can’t-go-wrong original. Plain or topped with fruit, this recipe won’t disappoint.
Smitten Kitchen’s New York Cheesecake Recipe — Is there anything that Smitten Kitchen doesn’t do perfectly? No. No. The answer is no! And this New York-style cheesecake is no exception. It’s not an “easy” recipe, and does take a watchful eye, so make sure you can make this when you have the time to dedicate to it.
Cookies & Cups’ Perfect Cheesecake — Not only is this recipe great, but I love all her advice on the “process” of making cheesecake. If you’re intimidated by the water bath and wondering how to prevent the “crack” on top of your cake, read.this.post.
Bakerella’s Cheesecake Swoon.
The Cheesecake Factory Original Cheesecake “Copycat” I gotta figure if this is even close to the actual Cheesecake Factory cheesecake then it’s gonna be pretty good!
Israeli-Style Cheesecake Recipes
Sure, they are both dairy desserts named “cheesecake”, but that’s about where the similarity between American and Israeli cheesecakes ends. American cheesecake is dense — even heavy, because it is typically made with high fat cream cheese (usually 32%) and baked in a water bath. Israeli cheesecake, on the other hand, is lighter, even airy, since it’s usually made with soft white cheese (‘gvina levana’), which is much lower in fat (5% – 9%). Many Israeli cheesecakes even use instant pudding — and of course, they’re almost always topped with a crumb topping.
Kim Kushner’s Israeli Style Cheesecake
Like most Israeli cheesecake recipes, this one by Kim Kushner (author of the awesome The New Kosher cookbook) is no-bake. Simple and delicious — you can’t go wrong!
Orli Ziv’s Family Favorite Cheesecake
One of Israel’s better known chefs, Orli Ziv’s cheesecake calls for “ski” cheese. I know the recipe says that you can substitute whipped cream cheese, but the flavor and texture profile is very different! Anyone know of a more similar option for Israel’s “ski” cheese? Maybe a thick greek yogurt work?
Bella’s Cheesecake from Kosher in the Kitchen
I wasn’t 100% certain if this lovely and simple recipe belonged in this category or the New York-style one. It does get bakes, but it seems a bit lighter and fluffier, which is why I’m including it in this section.
Cheesecake & More Recipes
Oreo Ripple Cheesecake from Overtime Cook
If you ever need a dessert recipe, you can trust anything you find on Miriam’s blog. She always comes through with sweet perfection, and this delicate “ripple” of Oreo is no exception. (Alas, I’m pretty certain my “ripple” would not be so beautifully suspended.)
Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake from Epicurious
That ganache-like topping looks incredible, doesn’t it?
Ruggles Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
I made this two years ago for Shavuot. There are not words to adequately describe the taste explosion in my mouth. If you love peanut butter cups, you’ll love this.
Lime Cheesecake with Sour Cream Chocolate Ganache from Ali Babka
Lime? And dark chocolate? IN a cheesecake? Yes, please! And the ganache. I die.
No Bake Cheesecake Recipes
If you just don’t want to fuss with a baked cheesecake (or you fear getting the dreaded crack on top!!), try one of these no-bake options.
Raw Vegan Lime Cheesecake If you like key lime pie, you will love these! They’re so decadent you won’t even notice that they’re “healthy”.
Overtime Cook’s No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Mousse Cups — Obviously not an actual cake, but I just had to share this one, too, because I adore these mousse cups. If you like lemon meringue pie, you will LOVE them. I made them for my oldest son’s bar mitzvah Friday night dinner (read more about it HERE), using Tofutti so they’d be pareve. They.were.incredible!
Will you be making cheesecake for Shavuot? Is your go-to recipe on my list? Or do you have another favorite one? Please share in the comments!
I also put together some cheesecake ideas on my blog: http://kosherworkingmom.com/2018/04/shavuot-menu-planning-cheesecakes/