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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Cheesecake Recipes

    Published: Feb 11, 2021 · Modified: May 21, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    Traditional Cherry Cheesecake

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    A Traditional Cherry Cheesecake topped with cherry pie filling along with a cute graphic and an ingredient list.
    A vertical overhead closeup of a Traditional Cherry Cheesecake with a title text overlay graphic in black and white.

    This Traditional Cherry Cheesecake is a delicious and creamy vanilla cheesecake with a tart cherry pie topping.

    A closeup vertical image of a Traditional Cherry Cheesecake with a title text overlay graphic in black and white.

    If you're looking for a cheesecake that's picture-perfect, then this recipe for traditional vanilla cheesecake with an easy cherry topping is just what you've been looking for!

    **Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Traditional Cherry Cheesecake is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.

    This recipe was originally shared in 2013. This post has been updated with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information, but the recipe itself has remained unchanged.

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    A vertical collage image of an unbaked, and baked, cherry cheesecake along with a title text overlay graphic.

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

    • cream cheese
    • graham cracker crumbs
    • butter
    • sugar
    • sour cream
    • eggs
    • pure vanilla extract
    • lemon zest
    • milk
    • flour
    • cherry pie filling

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • hand mixer and a large bowl or stand mixer
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • spatula
    • 9" round springform pan
    • baking sheet
    • parchment paper
    • cooling rack
    • baking spray
    • citrus zester
    • offset spatula
    • kitchen timer

    Why this recipe works:

    Because it has that yummy traditional cheesecake flavor and consistency.

    The lemon zest adds a brightness of unexpected flavor but doesn't overwhelm the overall flavor of the vanilla cheesecake.

    It's super simple to make, and because who doesn't love a cherry cheesecake?

    Can other toppings be added to this cheesecake?

    Yes!

    Feel free to make your own fruit compote or citrus curd (like this homemade orange curd).

    Or, top it with your favorite flavor of canned pie filling.

    You can even go crazy-for-chocolate and top it with chocolate ganache (find the recipe for chocolate ganache within this recipe for S'mores Cheesecake) if the mood fits.

    An offset horizontal photo of a cherry cheesecake on a glass plate with a pie server and a red napkin in the background.

    How this recipe came to be:

    My husband's favorite dessert is cherry cheesecake. He always orders it when we're out at a restaurant, and on the rare occasion that he even has room for dessert.

    We're the type of people who fill up on the breadbasket even before the entrees arrive and then we're hardly even hungry for what we ordered.

    Sound familiar to anyone out there? LOL

    For my husband Mark's recent birthday, instead of going out to a restaurant to celebrate I cooked him a meal fit for a king.

    I'm not saying that anyone had room for dessert, but afterward, I served up this Traditional Cherry Cheesecake (shown below) and everyone had a slice.

    Just don't ask me where we all put it!

    A menu for a special occasion:

    Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Bourbon Gravy

    Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

    Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Candied Bacon

    Beer Bread Biscuits with Herbs

    Cherry Topped Cheesecake

    How to make a traditional cherry cheesecake:

    • Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
    • If making homemade graham cracker crust, pulse graham crackers in a food processor until fine crumbs form.
    • Add melted butter and sugar and pulse again until the mixture resembles wet sand.
    • Pour into the bottom of a 9" round springform baking pan that has been sprayed with baking spray.
    • Press the crumbs evenly into the pan to form a uniform layer and bake the crust for 10 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven.
    • Place the pan onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
    • Remove and cool while making the cheesecake filling.
    • Add softened cream cheese to a large bowl, along with sugar, vanilla extract, milk, sour cream, lemon zest, and flour.
    • Blend until creamy.
    • Add eggs (one at a time) to the cream cheese mixture, blending well after each addition.
    • Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared springform pan and use an offset spatula to spread the mixture evenly in the pan.
    • Place the cheesecake into the 350-degree preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the cheesecake is only very slightly jiggly in the center.
    • Turn off the oven and open the door so the cheesecake cools down slowly for at least 30 minutes.
    • Remove the cheesecake from the oven and run a knife or offset spatula around the sides of the springform pan to loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan.
    • Allow the cheesecake to cool completely on a wire rack (at least two hours) before carefully removing the collar.
    • Spoon the cherry pie filling on top of the cheesecake and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
    • For best flavor, allow the cheesecake to sit at room temperature for at least 60 minutes before slicing and seving.
    A very close photo of a Traditional Cherry Cheesecake with glistening red cherry pie filling on top.

    Check out the nifty hack (shown below) of how to cleanly slice a cheesecake:

    Additional cheesecake recipes:

    *Lemon Drop Cheesecake with Lemon Curd Topping (shown below and featured in the video)

    Lemon Cheesecake with Lemon Curd Topping and Shasta Daisy Decorations.

    *Chocolate Chip S'mores Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache Topping

    *Reese's Pieces Pumpkin Cheesecake

    Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's creamy and delicious Cherry Cheesecake Recipe.

    When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!

    Printable Recipe Card

    An offset horizontal photo of a Traditional Cherry Cheesecake on a glass cake stand with a cake server and a red napkin.

    Traditional Cherry Cheesecake

    Renee Goerger
    A traditional and delicious creamy vanilla cheesecake with a tart cherry pie topping.
    4.50 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    cooling time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert - Cheesecake
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 slices
    Calories 225 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the crust:

    • 2½ cup graham cracker crumbs
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 5 tablespoons butter melted

    For the cheesecake:

    • 4 packages (8 ounces) cream cheese softened to room temperature
    • 1½ cups granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup milk
    • 4 eggs at room temperature
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350-degrees
    • In a medium size bowl, mix together the crust ingredients to the consistency of damp sand.
    • Press the crumbs into the bottom of a prepared 9" springform pan that has been sprayed with baking spray.
    • Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove and cool while you prepare the filling.
    • In a large bowl with a hand mixer, or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend the cream cheese, sugar, milk and sour cream together until creamy.
    • Add the eggs (one at a time) and blend after each addition. Blend in the vanilla, lemon zest and the flour.
    • Pour the filling into the prepared springform pan and bake for 60-70 minutes or until the cake is set, but still slightly jiggly in the center.
    • Turn off the oven and open the door so the cheesecake cools down slowly for at least 30 minutes. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and run a knife or offset spatula around the sides of the springform pan to loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan.
    • Remove the collar from the pan and allow the cheesecake to continue cooling at least 2 hours.
    • Once completely cooled, spoon the cherry pie filling over the top of the cheesecake, and you're ready to serve.
    • Note - Cheesecake is best served a room temperature.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 151mgPotassium: 80mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 273IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
     

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's classic dessert recipe for cherry topped cheesecake as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

    More Cheesecake Recipes

    • A luscious looking Malted Milk Ball Cheesecake with whipped cream and malted milk balls as garnish.
      Malted Milk Ball Cheesecake
    • Four Skinny Tiramisu Parfaits in Irish coffee mugs with chocolate chips and whipped cream.
      Skinny Tiramisu Parfaits
    • A slice of Dutch Apple Cheesecake on a pretty plate with a fork.
      Dutch Apple Cheesecake
    • Chocolate Cherry Pastry Tower

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. TONI ELISA LOHR says

      April 06, 2023 at 9:02 am

      I'm going to use a can of sweetened condensed milk instead of using the milk and sugar. Use lemon extract instead of vanilla and put a 1 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries in the cheesecake. How long should I bake it for? Does the temp go down after the graham crust is done to bake the cheesecake or does it stay at 350? What is the collar? Do I USE A WATER BATH? thank you!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        April 06, 2023 at 10:18 am

        Hi, Toni!
        Since you're using sweetened condensed milk and blueberries that will most likely change the bake time, considerably.
        I stay at 350 degrees for the entire cheesecake (crust and filling).
        If I was you, I'd just keep an eye on it and once it looks almost fully set in the center, take it out. It should still be ever so slightly jiggly.
        The collar is part of the springform pan. Every springform pan has one.
        I don't use a water bath, but feel free to use one if you prefer.
        Wrap the outside of your springform pan very well will foil if you're going to do a water bath.
        I hope this helps. You're altering the recipe considerably so good luck. Just keep an eye on it and you should be ok.
        Take care,
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Joan says

      March 29, 2022 at 7:26 pm

      2 stars
      Too fluffy?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 30, 2022 at 8:00 am

        I'm not quite sure if this is a question or statement, Joan.
        Take care,
        Renee

        Reply
    3. Willie says

      February 12, 2021 at 4:28 pm

      5 stars
      You just can't go wrong with a classic like cherry cheesecake! This recipe worked perfectly for me, baked up creamy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 12, 2021 at 4:53 pm

        Great to hear, Willie!
        Glad you enjoyed it!
        Take care,
        Renee

        Reply
    4. A_Kiasi says

      December 01, 2013 at 1:48 am

      What a bright and beautiful site. I so appreciate your kind comments about my son on my site last Sunday. You and your family's togetherness through "thick and thin" is a blessing. Your recipe is intrigues me. I'll have to give it a try.
      Best,
      Alaiyio

      Reply
    5. Sarah R says

      November 28, 2013 at 10:53 pm

      Probably my fave way to make taters!

      Reply
    6. Cindys Recipes says

      November 28, 2013 at 3:51 pm

      Using peanut oil sounds like a tasty idea!

      Reply
    7. Renee Goerger says

      November 27, 2013 at 8:17 pm

      Thank you so much, Paula. I'm trying to get the whole family on a green smoothie a day kick. They're not all tasty, but when they are, they're worth a post 😉

      Reply
    8. 01VanillaBean01 says

      November 27, 2013 at 4:24 pm

      Your drink glasses are fun and adorable and your smoothie does look very refreshing & healthy.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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