Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a pie consisting of a buttery crust and a soft cheese filling. In the United States, cream cheese is the most commonly used, though other soft cheeses can be used as well. The pie is usually topless.

Fast Facts

1. First variations in Ancient Greece
2. Modern Cheesecake developed after invention of cream cheese, made as an alternative to Neufchatel cheese
3. 1978: First Cheesecake Factory
4. Popular cheeses to use:
   • U.S.: Cream Cheese
   • Italy: Ricotta Cheese
   • Germany: Quark Cheese

American Cheesecakes

The New York style of cheesecake, originating in delicatessens in the early 20th century, use heavy cream to supplement the cream cheese and give the tart a smoother texture. For a complete guide on making your own, visit Mahalo's page on How to Make New York Cheesecake.

Sour cream cheesecake is made with significantly less heavy cream, or does without it completely. Variations of this recipe may utilize a graham cracker crust. This is known as Ann Arbor cheesecake.

Cheesecake Flavoring

The taste of cheesecake has become recognizable enough in American culture to precipitate the inclusion of cheesecake flavors in other products, such as yogurt, ice cream and other baked desserts.

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