Cheesecake 101

Cheesecake is a rich desert that can be made with relatively little effort. A basic cake only requires a few ingredients, and there are even versions of cheesecake that don't require baking.

Types

• Many cheesecake recipes are available for view online. Kraft Canada's list of "classic cheesecake recipes" include: New York cheesecake, pumpkin swirl, coffee and hazelnut brittle cheesecake, lemon pudding cheesecake, caramel chocolate cheesecake, no-bake citrus cheesecake, easy Oreo cheesecake and fruity frozen cheesecake.

Main Ingredients

• The main ingredients of a cheese cake are softened cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, butter or margarine and sugar. A wide variety of ingredients can be used to make a topping for the cheesecake such as fresh fruits and syrups and sweet liquors.

Crusts

• Besides the topping, a major element of cheesecakes that differentiate them from one another is the crust. A wide variety of foods are used for cheesecake crusts; some of the most common include graham crackers, cookies, nuts and brownies as well as the traditional pastry crust.

Instructions

• Combine elements of your crust such as graham crackers, sugar, margarine and nuts. Flatten and press them onto a flattened circular or rectangular baking tray and bake for about ten minutes at 325 degrees. Combine cream cheese, sugar, eggs and sour cream. Spread this mixture over the crust and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes at 425 degrees. Remove from heat and drizzle topping over the cake when before serving.

Considerations

• Chill your baked cheesecake before serving to allow it to set. Cover refrigerated cheesecake to preserve it, and keep a fruit topping fresh by refrigerating it in a separate bowl; drizzle it over cut slices of cheesecake as you go.