To-Die-For Cheesecake Recipes

By Southern Living
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Whether you prefer the rich decadence of chocolate cheesecake or the sweet taste of fresh fruit, we have the perfect cheesecake for you.

Death by cheesecake isn’t likely—but it wouldn’t be the worst way to go, especially if you’re digging into one of our smooth and creamy cheesecake recipes. We’ve got a cheesecake that’s right for every occasion, whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special dinner party, or just to satisfy a weeknight cheesecake craving. Take your pick from more than 20 cheesecake recipes including decadent chocolate, tangy lemon, free-form strawberry, banana pudding, caramel apple-brownie, piña colada, and of course, our very best classic plain cheesecake. We also have plenty of helpful tips from our Test Kitchen to avoid cracked tops, crumbly crusts, and other common cheesecake baking issues.  

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Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Petite Blueberry Cheesecakes

As pretty as petits fours, these luscious little two-bite gems can be finished with any kind of berry or preserves. Get ahead, and bake the cheesecakes in advance. After baking, they'll freeze up to one month. Thaw and top with preserves and fruit before serving.

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Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake with Mocha Sauce

Recipe: Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake with Mocha Sauce

Chocolate and coffee flavors mingle perfectly in this sinfully delicious cheesecake. The only thing missing is the guilt.

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Lemon Bar Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemon Bar Cheesecake

This indulgent recipe marries two delicious desserts: lemon bars and cheesecake. Using a dark springform pan ensures a golden brown crust on this tart dessert recipe without having to bake before adding the filling. Garnish with Candied Lemon Slices.

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Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Banana Pudding Cheesecake

This sinfully sweet dessert is the perfect blend of fresh bananas, creamy cheesecake, and crunchy vanilla wafers.

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Praline-Crusted Cheesecake

Recipe: Praline-Crusted Cheesecake

Crumbled pralines and sugared shortbread make an out-of-this-world crust for classic cheesecake. Either make your own pralines or buy them to cut back on prep time.

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Ultimate Cheesecake

Recipe: Ultimate Cheesecake

Looking for a go-to cheesecake recipe? You've found the one! This classic cheesecake is great on its own or with a simple Apricot Glaze.

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Red Velvet Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet Cheesecake

Our red velvet brownies are a bite-size version of the classic red velvet cake. Top them with cream cheese frosting for the ultimate holiday dessert.

Step-by-Step Video: Red Velvet Cheesecake

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Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Let this elegant chocolate cheesecake be the centerpiece of your holiday tablescape featuring a gorgeous White Chocolate Snowflake in the center.

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Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Caramelized apples are artfully arranged on top of this rich and delicious cheesecake for a perfect dessert.

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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Test Kitchen Professional Pam Lolley combined the flavors of three favorites—pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and cheesecake—to create this luscious holiday dessert.

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Chocolate-Fudge Cheesecake

Recipe: Chocolate-Fudge Cheesecake

Chocoholics are sure to love this ultra-rich cheesecake, which features traditional cheesecake sandwiched between a chocolate-pecan brownie base and a thick, homemade chocolate glaze.

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Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

If the title of this dessert recipe doesn't send you running for the kitchen, then you need to read it again. We've packed all your favorite desserts into one must-try indulgence. Cheesecake, brownies, and caramel apples... What more could you want?

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White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: White Chocolate-Cranberry Cheesecake

This cake is the perfect ending to a meal—from the deep red cranberry topping to the velvety smooth comforting bites.

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Warm Fudge-Filled Cheesecake

Photo: Tina Cornett

Recipe: Warm Fudge-Filled Cheesecake

A warm fudge center makes this cheesecake melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A homemade pistachio crust is worth the extra effort.

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Free-form Strawberry Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick / Styling: Leigh Anne Montgomery / Food Styling: Angela Sellers

Recipe: Free-form Strawberry Cheesecake

Twenty minutes and six ingredients are all it takes to make this yummy cheesecake.

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Irish Strawberry-and-Cream Cheesecake

Recipe: Irish Strawberry-and-Cream Cheesecake

Swirled with strawberry preserves and flavored with Irish cream liqueur, this cheesecake will be a hit at any get-together.

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Eggnog Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

Recipe: Eggnog Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

It only takes 15 minutes to put together this seasonal cheesecake with an easy three-ingredient gingersnap crust.

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Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan Cheesecake Pie

The nutty topping on this pecan cheesecake pie adds a nice crunch to the characteristic creaminess of this popular dessert.

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Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Angela Sellers

Recipe: Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

Garnish this rich cheesecake with berries and currants for a party-perfect presentation. The cake can be baked and frozen up to a month ahead.

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Festive Piña Colada Cheesecake

Recipe: Festive Piña Colada Cheesecake

Crushed pineapple, coconut, and a little light rum give this easy piña colada cheesecake its Caribbean flair.

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Lime-Goat Cheese Cheesecakes

Recipe: Lime-Goat Cheese Cheesecakes

For a twist on classic cheesecake, try adding goat cheese to the mixture. It adds another dimension of flavor, and with a bit of lime juice and honey it may just become your favorite cheesecake recipe.

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Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake

Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake

After winning the Southern Living Cook-Off 2005, registered dietitian Sharon Collison came to us with the original, light version of her $100,000 cheesecake. She did a full-fat version for our contest and won. Ironically, the skinnier version (with half the fat and calories) received the same outstanding rating in our Test Kitchens.

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

It may look like a chore, but this cheesecake tart calls for a relatively straightforward preparation: First, press the crust into the tart pan. Next, mix the cream cheese filling, fill the tart shell, and bake. Finally, gild the pie with sautéed tart apples, and paint them with melted apple jelly for a jewelled effect.

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Cranberry Cheesecake with Cranberry-Orange Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cranberry Cheesecake with Cranberry-Orange Sauce

Cut into this fall cheesecake to find a surprising fruit layer on the bottom. Dress it up by pooling sauce on top and garnishing with fresh mint leaves, citrus curls, and sugared cranberries.

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Decadent Chocolate-Espresso Cheesecake

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Decadent Chocolate-Espresso Cheesecake

Dessert and coffee all in one slice, this over-the-top cheesecake is a surefire crowd-pleaser. To garnish with chocolate shards, melt dark bittersweet chocolate, and spread it in a thin layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let it stand until set, and break into pieces.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

We use a mix of chocolate and cinnamon graham cracker crumbs here to give the crust a dark color with notes of chocolate and a little spice. You can choose one or the other, so long as you use 1½ cups total. We also like to give the canned pumpkin a whirl in the food processor so it's nice and smooth in the creamy filling.

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