Crème Brûlée Cheesecake

To get that perfect caramelized sugar topping we highly recommend using a torch. We tested broiling the cheesecake to caramelize the top, but some parts started to burn before other parts were even melted at all and the butter started to leak out of the crust. It was quite the sight when we pulled it out! Crème Brûlée Cupcakes or these Sugar Cookies are just a couple more reasons to bust out the torch. 

YIELDS:

8 - 10 SERVINGS

PREP TIME:

0 HOURS 30 MINS

TOTAL TIME:

8 HOURS 0 MINS

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CRUST

Cooking spray

9 graham crackers (1 sleeve), finely crushed

6 tbsp. melted butter

1/4 c. granulated sugar

pinch of kosher salt

FOR THE FILLING

4 (8-oz.) blocks of cream cheese, softened

1 c. granulated sugar

3 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

2 tsp. vanilla bean paste

1/4 c. sour cream

2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

FOR THE TOPPING

1/3 c. superfine sugar

Raspberries, for serving

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325° and grease an 8" or 9" springform pan with cooking spray. 

In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt. Press into bottom of prepared pan and up the sides.

Make filling: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar together until no lumps remain. Add eggs and egg yolks, then stir in vanilla bean paste and sour cream. Add flour and salt and beat until just combined. Pour mixture over crust. 

Wrap bottom of pan in aluminum foil and place in a large roasting pan. Pour in enough boiling water to come up halfway in the baking pan. 

Bake until center of cheesecake only slightly jiggles, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Turn off heat, prop open oven door, and let cheesecake cool in oven, 1 hour. Remove foil and refrigerate cheesecake for at least 5 hours and up to overnight.

When ready to serve, sprinkle superfine sugar on top and carefully torch until caramelized. Serve with raspberries.

Recipe adapted from Crème Brûlée Cheesecake