A decadent dessert for any special occasion, these top-rated cheesecake recipes are filled with favorite flavors for all seasons—chocolate, pumpkin, peanut butter, berries and more.
Our 26 Best Cheesecake Recipes
Updated on Jun. 21, 2024
Layered Turtle Cheesecake
Cheesecake may look intimidating to make at home, but it’s actually quite simple—especially with tips and trickles from our cheesecake baking guide. This gorgeous cheesecake is a multilayered dream of chocolate and vanilla filling plus a nutty caramel sauce, which can be made with store-bought ice cream topping to keep it simple.
1/26
2/26
Best Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I said I’d take dessert to a holiday party so I tried this recipe. I’m sure you’ll agree it tastes as luscious as it looks! —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
With swirls of fudge in a peanut butter cheesecake filling, plus extra hot fudge on top and peanut butter cups for garnish, every single bite of this cheesecake tastes like everyone’s favorite candy. Learn how to freeze cheesecake in case you can’t finish it.
3/26
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma
The crust on this apple cheesecake is like a nutty oatmeal cookie, a perfect base for a subtle apple-scented filling. And with a homemade apple and cinnamon topping, it’s almost like three desserts in one.
4/26
Air-Fryer Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This air-fryer cheesecake is something I've been making and perfecting for years. My daughter insisted it be served at her wedding. —Howard Koch, Lima, Ohio
Get a luscious dessert in about half the time with this easy cheesecake recipe. Make the cheesecake your own by adding herbs or citrus peel to the crumb crust, swapping in wafer cookie crumbs for graham crackers, or swirling fruit jam on top.
5/26
Luscious Almond Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas
Instead of graham crackers, vanilla wafer cookies and crushed almonds give this cheesecake a lovely flavor boost. For some extra texture and taste, sprinkle toasted almond slivers on top.
6/26
Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In fall or at any time of year, this nutty, rich and delicious pecan pie recipe is one I'm proud to serve. While it seems very special, the caramel pecan cheesecake is a snap to make. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa
Part cheesecake and part pie, this heavenly dessert feels very autumnal but can be served any time of year. Use store-bought pastry for the base and jarred ice cream topping for the caramel, and it’s ready in a snap.
7/26
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
This festive cheesecake will quickly become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. Like a traditional red velvet cake, there’s a bit of cocoa in the filling, which sits on a chocolate cookie-crumb crust. If you get a cracked cheesecake top, don’t fret: The sweet cream cheese frosting will cover it up!
8/26
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe to combine two of my all-time favorites: cheesecake for the grown-up in me and chocolate chip cookie dough for the little girl in me. Sour cream offsets the sweetness and adds a nice tang. Everyone who tries this scrumptious cookie dough cheesecake loves it. —Julie Craig, Kewaskum, Wisconsin
Drop spoonfuls of homemade chocolate chip cookie dough into the creamy cheesecake filling. Once cooled, sprinkle with chocolate chips before serving. The flavor combo can’t be beat!
9/26
Mascarpone Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This rich dessert is sure to delight with its creamy filling, whipped topping and sweet caramel drizzle. It makes a fitting ending to a special meal. —Deanna Polito-Laughinghouse, Raleigh, North Carolina
Mascarpone is basically Italian cream cheese, made with cream instead of milk like its American counterpart. Along with a sweet caramel drizzle, it makes a rich and delicious cheesecake that begs for an espresso on the side.
10/26
Key Lime Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I modified this old family recipe to use healthier ingredients. The texture is so smooth and light. It is a favorite dessert that is enjoyed by all.
There is a slight difference in taste between a key lime and lime. When baked into something like this smooth and light cheesecake, though, it’s OK to use regular limes if you can’t find key limes. A little whipped cream and lime zest goes a long way on each slice.
11/26
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our daughter first astounded us with her cooking talents when she made this cheesecake at 13 years of age. With a unique cookie crumb crust and extra-creamy filling, people think this dessert was made by a gourmet baker!
—Kathleen Gualano, Cary, Illinois
12/26
Michigan Cherry Japanese-Style Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Michigan is known for its amazing cherries, especially the tart ones, so we have plenty of opportunities to find new ways to try and use them. They became my muse for this recipe—a twist on the traditional American cheesecake recipe. I decided to make use of the extraordinary texture and unique taste found in a Japanese-style cheesecake, which is light and melts in your mouth. —Laura Kurella, Wellston, Michigan
Subtly sweet and more fluffy than dense, Japanese cheesecake is where a souffle and traditional cheesecake meet. The sour cherry topping can be made with fresh or frozen fruit (or even canned filling in a pinch); add a touch of cayenne or ginger for extra zing.
13/26
Double Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Every slice of this creamy cheesecake is a standout. The classic pairing of chocolate and coffee is sure to please partygoers. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Spiked with espresso powder, coffee liqueur and garnished with chocolate-covered coffee beans, you’ll get a good buzz with every bite. This cheesecake recipe is a party pleaser, for sure.
14/26
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to make something based on my friend's love of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This cheesecake recipe has decadent layers of peanut butter and a thick swirl of preserves—it truly feels as if you're biting into a sweeter, dessert version of your favorite childhood sandwich. —Melinda Buchman, Rock Hill, New York
With a layer of peanut butter and a thick swirl of fruit preserves, this cheesecake is like a big dessert version of your favorite childhood sandwich. While this recipe calls for raspberry preserves, you can also use other fruits, like strawberry; here are our favorite strawberry jam brands.
15/26
Butter Pecan Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fall always makes me yearn for this pecan cheesecake, but it’s delicious in any season. You’ll want to put it on your list of favorite holiday desserts. —Laura Sylvester, Mechanicsville, Virginia
One of the easiest ways to dress up a classic cheesecake is by adding nuts, in this case pecans, to the graham cracker crust and as a topping. This is a great cheesecake recipe for any season.
16/26
Lemon Dream Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Light and creamy, this lemon cheesecake recipe is just the thing for a spring or summer day. —Bonnie Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
With fresh lemon juice and zest, this creamy cheesecake needs little embellishment. But with a few drops of yellow food coloring, it becomes a sunny and bright springtime dessert.
17/26
Triple Berry No-Bake Cheesecake
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings (3-1/3 cups topping)
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they're usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland
When you don’t have time to bake, there are plenty of no-bake cheesecake recipes to choose from. For this classic, simply mix the filling ingredients, place in a graham-cracker crust and chill! Any combo of berries—like blueberries, raspberries and strawberries—and a small amount of sugar makes a colorful, fresh topping.
18/26
Best Banana Cream Cheesecake
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here is a lovely no-bake dessert. Add a dash of cinnamon to the graham cracker crust if you'd like. —Margie Snodgrass, Wilmore, Kentucky
For this no-bake cheesecake, a shortcut cream cheese filling gets layered with fresh bananas and topped with banana pudding mixed with whipped cream. Add cinnamon to the graham cracker crust for a little lift.
19/26
Traditional Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a delicious classic cheesecake that tastes great alone or with any number of garnishes. Use this basic recipe as a palette for your creativity!
Let this classic cheesecake recipe spark your creativity! This delicious cheesecake tastes great alone or is highly adaptable with garnishes, extracts, nuts, fruits and more.
Don’s miss this copycat cheesecake recipe from The Cheesecake Factory.
20/26
Ricotta Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I reconstructed this dessert based on an old recipe that had been in the family for years but was never written down. The subtle cinnamon flavor of the zwieback crust and the dense texture of the ricotta cheese are reminiscent of the cheesecake I enjoyed as a child. —Mary Beth Jung, Hendersonville, North Carolina
21/26
Contest-Winning Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my favorite blueberry cheesecake recipe, which I often make for family get-togethers. —Cathy Medley, Clyde, Ohio
Make a blueberry sauce to swirl into a classic cheesecake filling for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. While fresh blueberries are best, no one will fault you for using frozen.
22/26
Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cardamom has a sweet and warm taste that makes you think of clove, allspice and pepper all wrapped in one spice. Mix it with pistachios and add to cheesecake for a dessert that suggests the exotic flavors of India. —Carolyn Harkonnen, Loomis, California
With a hint of cardamom and a crust made from animal crackers (so smart!) this unique pistachio cheesecake is a total winner. Top with whipped cream, crumbled cookies and pistachios.
23/26
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a dairy farmer’s wife, I have experience making cheesecake. In fact, most anything containing milk products is tasty in my book. If I’m out of cream cheese, it’s time to go to the grocery store! —Wendy Barkman, Breezewood, Pennsylvania
24/26
Chocolate Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone’s a chocolate lover when it comes to this chocolate cheesecake. It melts in your mouth, and it’s very smooth and fudgy. For a fun taste twist, spoon cherry or strawberry topping over each slice right before serving. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana
25/26
Brown Sugar & Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Searching for a dessert superstar? This chocolate swirl cheesecake is the one that people ask for again and again. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Maple syrup and brown sugar give this cheesecake a hit of caramel flavor throughout. Swirl in some melted chocolate before baking, and top each slice with walnuts, syrup and whipped cream.
26/26
Holiday Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Family and friends can't seem to get enough of this deliciously different cheesecake that combines my two favorite desserts—sweet potato pie and cheesecake. I think the dessert tastes best if made 24 to 48 hours prior to serving. —Melanie Bauder, Manlius, New York
Bringing two great holiday desserts together—sweet potato pie and cheesecake—will definitely make the season brighter. You get every layer in each bite: Buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, sweet potato pie filling and a sour cream topping.
