Don't Skimp On This Ingredient When Making Homemade Cheesecake

Nothing can be more satisfying than the first bite of a homemade cheesecake — except, of course, for every bite thereafter! With so many delightful styles and recipes to choose from, it is vital to use the proper ingredients in the right ratios. While it is tempting to limit the amount of butter in your cheesecake recipe, this fat is a necessary ingredient to ensure the structural integrity of your crust.

A simple graham cracker crust recipe calls for at least 6 tablespoons of melted butter. This ingredient helps to bind everything together and prevent the crumbs from getting too crumbly. Whether oven-baked or a no-bake style that sets in the refrigerator, keeping your crust held together with the rich ingredient is of the utmost importance to provide a sturdy foundation on which to add your creamy cheesecake topping. In fact, you might just end up using more butter in a no-bake cheesecake to let your crust properly set.

While store-bought varieties often use stabilizers and other unique ingredients to hold a cheesecake crust together, using enough butter is essential for a homemade version. Consider the steps for a classic New York cheesecake recipe which begin by mixing 4 tablespoons of melted butter with graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt, all of which is combined and gently pressed into a springform pan for parbaking. Knowing the heft of the cream cheese cake batter to follow, using enough butter in your bottom layer of crust is key.

Confirm you've used enough butter as your crust is coming together in the mixing bowl and before pressing it into your cake pan. This can be done by hand or with a spatula or spoon to see if the crumbs are sticking well to each other or coming apart. Keep some extra butter on hand to add to your crust while mixing just in case. Once you are satisfied with the consistency and fat content, it is time to gently spread this mixture into your cake pan and press everything down into a single even layer. Use extra graham cracker crumbs and more butter to line the sides of your pan for a deep dish version.

This is an important step for both baked cheesecakes and no-bake icebox-style cakes. Preparing the ingredients for your crust in advance will avoid an unpleasant and messy surprise later when you go to slice into your cheesecake. If you find you have used too much butter in your crust and the crumbs are not holding together, balance out the ratio of ingredients by adding more graham cracker crumbs. Among the many tips you need to bake the perfect cheesecake, time, patience, and quality ingredients stand out as the most vital. Rather than rushing to assemble everything, taking the time to ensure the right consistency is always a good choice. It is always worth the effort for a tasty and structurally sound cheesecake.