Junior's Original New York Cheesecake

30m
Prep Time
120m
Cook Time
2h 30m
Ready In


"This is a recipe I found on Aboutdotcom and is stated that it is from "Juniors", in Brooklyn, N.Y., which is one of the world's iconic delis. The cake must be refrigerated overnight before serving, so plan accordingly."

Original is 9 servings
  • SPONGE CAKE CRUST(9 inch pan)
  • FOR CHEESECAKE BATTER

Nutritional

  • Serving Size: 1 (211.8 g)
  • Calories 715.8
  • Total Fat - 48.1 g
  • Saturated Fat - 27 g
  • Cholesterol - 229.6 mg
  • Sodium - 435.2 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate - 62.7 g
  • Dietary Fiber - 0.6 g
  • Sugars - 53.9 g
  • Protein - 10.4 g
  • Calcium - 165.9 mg
  • Iron - 1.1 mg
  • Vitamin C - 0.1 mg
  • Thiamin - 0.1 mg

Step by Step Method

TO MAKE THE SPONGE CAKE CRUST


Step 1

Heat the oven to 350°F and generously butter the bottom and side of a 9-inch springform pan, preferably a nonstick one. Wrap the outside with aluminum foil, covering the bottom and extending it all the way up the side.

Step 2

In a small bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks on high for 3 minutes. With the mixer running, slowly add 2 tablespoons of the sugar and continue beating until thick, light-yellow ribbons form in the bowl, about 5 minutes more. Beat in the extracts.

Step 3

Sift the flour mixture over the batter and stir it in by hand, just until there are no remaining white flecks. Blend in the melted butter.

Step 4

In another clean bowl, using clean, dry beaters, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high until frothy. Gradually add the remaining sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the whites will stand up and look glossy, not dry). Fold about 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then the remaining whites. Don’t worry if you still see a few white specks, as they’ll disappear during baking.

Step 5

Gently spread the batter over the bottom of the prepared pan and bake just until set and golden (not wet or sticky), about 10 minutes. Touch the cake gently in the center. If it springs back, it’s done. Watch carefully and don’t let the top brown. Leave the crust in the pan and place on a wire rack to cool. Leave the sponge cake crust in the pan and leave the oven on while you prepare the batter for the cheesecake.

TO MAKE THE CHEESECAKE BATTER


Step 6

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment if your mixer has one, beat 1 package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch together on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl several times. Blend in the remaining cream cheese, one package at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl after each.

Step 7

Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat in the remaining sugar, then the vanilla. Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in the cream just until completely blended. The filling will look light, creamy, airy, and almost like billowy clouds. Be careful not to overmix! Gently spoon the batter over the crust.

Step 8

Place the cake pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes halfway (about 1 inch) up the side of the springform. Bake until the edge is light golden brown, the top is light gold, and the center barely jiggles, about 1 1⁄4 hours. If the cake still feels soft around the edge, let it bake for 10 minutes more (the cooking time will be about the same for both the 8- and 9-inch cheesecakes).

Step 9

Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 2 hours (just walk away -- don’t move it). Then, leave the cake in the pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until completely cold before serving, preferably overnight or for at least 6 hours.

TO SERVE


Step 10

Release and remove the side of the springform, leaving the cake on the bottom of the pan. Place on a cake plate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice with a sharp straight-edge knife, not a serrated one, rinsing the knife with warm water between slices. Refrigerate any leftover cake, tightly covered, and enjoy within 2 days, or wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

Step 11

*Note: Always bake the cheesecake in a water bath as they do at Junior’s, It keeps the heat in the oven moist and helps the cake bake slowly, gently, and evenly, It also helps to ensure that your cake will have a smooth top with no large cracks*

Tips


No special items needed.

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