Loaf Pan Cheesecake

If you don't make cheesecake as often as you like because you don't need a whole cheesecake, consider making a loaf pan cheesecake.  A 9x5 inch 8-cup capacity loaf pan is the perfect size for half a cheesecake.   Not only will you get a smaller size cheesecake, but loaf pans are naturally waterproof, so if your recipe calls for a water bath you don't have to worry about sealing the bottom of a springform.

Also, loaf pan cheesecakes are easy to wrap and store, and because of their rectangular shape they fit neatly into even the most overcrowded freezers.  This might not be a big issue for you, but it is for me!  Our freezer is prone to avalanches when the door opens.  Sigh.

New York Style Loaf Pan Cheesecake

Over the years I've adapted different cheesecake recipes to fit in a large loaf pan, and this spin-off of the Junior's recipe is a favorite. It's a dense, creamy New York style cheesecake with a shortbread crust and a lightly browned top.  Plus it doesn't crack!  I'm not one to get too upset about cracks. Cracks can be covered. However, it does feel good to pull a crack-free cheesecake out of the oven.

I've made this recipe plus variations about a million times and am looking forward to hearing how it works for others. If you try it please let me know. If you do decide to make it, here are a few tips.

Shortbread Crust

Loaf pan cheesecake can be made with either a graham cracker or shortbread crust.  I prefer the shortbread crust because I always have the ingredients on hand to make it.  Also, this is a really simple melted butter version that flies together. That said,  I apologize for the "½ of an egg yolk" measure, but it's really not a big deal.  Crack the egg into a cup, scoop the yolk into a different cup and then spoon out half of it (the other half will go in the filling).  Or you can just crack it into one cup and carefully scoop out half. You don't have to be painstakingly precise on the amount of egg yolk, but a little yolk in the crust helps keep it from getting too hard.

Cheesecake Filling

To prevent lumps, make sure the ingredients are at room temperature and not too cool.  You can leave the ingredients out on the counter for a bit or you can throw the cream cheese in the microwave on a very low or defrost setting. To bring the eggs to room temperature, let them sit in very warm water for a few minutes.

Cherry Topping

The cheesecake recipe is pretty simple and so is this topping, however you may not have Trader Joe's Morello cherries. If this is the case (which it often is for me), you can skip the cherry topping and just throw on a mixture of ¼ cup sour cream mixed with 2 teaspoons sugar.
This can be spread over the chilled cake and topped with any fresh fruit.

Graham Cracker Crust

Loaf Pan Cheesecake calls for a shortbread crust, but you can also use a graham crust. For a graham crust, grease the bottom of the pan generously with butter. Mix together a heaping cup of graham cracker crumbs, 1 T. sugar and 3 ½ tablespoons melted butter. You can use salted or unsalted. If using unsalted, add a pinch of salt. For this recipe, you don't have to pre-bake the graham crust.

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Recipe

Loaf Pan Cheesecake New York Style

Anna

Creamy and dense New York style cheesecake baked in a large loaf pan. For best results, use a loaf pan with an 8 cup (2 pound) capacity 9x5 inch loaf pan.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

 

Crust:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (84 grams)
• ¾ cup flour (95 grams)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (25 grams)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ of an egg yolk approximate - doesn't have to be precise!
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

• 2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened and room temperature (16 oz total)
• ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar (160 grams)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• ½ of an egg yolk leftover from crust
• 6 tablespoons heavy cream room temperature

Cherry Topping

• 1 jar Morello Cherries from Trader Joe's or Aldi (or sour cherries)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar (65 grams)
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon almond extract optional

Instructions

 

• Line the inside of a 9x5 inch (or just slightly larger) 8 cup capacity loaf pan with foil OR parchment. I originally used foil, but parchment is fine too.
• Melt the butter in the microwave using 50% power so that it will melt gently and not be too hot. Partially melted is okay too. Allow it to cool a bit.
• Meanwhile, combine the flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl.
• Add the ½ egg yolk and vanilla to the melted butter and add to the flour mixture. Stir until blended, then press firmly into the bottom of the foil lined loaf pan. Chill for 30 minutes or until ready to bake.
• Bake the crust at 400 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven heat to 350. You will be baking the cheesecake at 350 degrees F.
• Prepare Filling: In large bowl, with a handheld electric mixer at medium speed, beat half of the softened cream cheese just until smooth; beat in half of the sugar, scraping bowl often with rubber spatula. Stir in the cornstarch until blended.
• Add remaining cheese and beat until blended, then beat in remaining sugar, lemon zest and vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time, beating on low just until blended (don’t overbeat the eggs), then beat in the ½ yolk, followed by the room temperature cream.
• Set the loaf pan in a 9x13 inch cake pan and fill with hot water so that it comes about half way up the sides. Bake in water bath for about 75 minutes. Cake should appear brown and smooth.
• Allow the cake to cool at room temperature for about 2 hours, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 6 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve, lift the foil from the pan and serve with your favorite topping.
• To make the cherry topping, in a medium size saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt.
• Drain cherries and reserve ¾ cup of cherry juice. Add the ¾ cup juice to the sugar mixture and stir until smooth. Place saucepan over medium heat and whisk or stir until mixture boils, thickens and becomes translucent.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the drained cherries, lemon juice and almond extract.

Keyword Loaf Pan Cheesecake

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