I love desert. But at $5 – $7 a serving at a restaurant I rarely allow myself the indulgence. Instead I’ll occasionally bake my own at home. This keeps the cost down and also allows me to control the ingredients. Wherever possible I’ll make a healthy substitution such as organic cane sugar in place of white sugar or spelt in place of white flour.
This cheesecake rocks! In my opinion it tastes as great as any New York Cheesecake you’d get in a deli. It’s so easy and can be made for a fraction of the cost.
Ingredients
Crust
- 12 graham crackers
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Filling
- 4 (8oz) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ¾ cups milk
- 4 eggs beaten
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup flour
Instructions
Using a food processor grind graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add sugar, turn on food processor and slowly add melted butter. Blend until combined.
Press into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a lightly greased springform pan. (I use the back of a spoon to spread the crumbs around the pan to create a smooth and uniform crust.) Set aside.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a hand mixer combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Mix in milk and then add in beaten eggs approximately one at a time. (Um, I didn’t pre-beat my eggs but I should have as it cuts down on the mixing time. You don’t want to over mix your batter.) Mix just until the eggs are incorporated.
Add sour cream, vanilla and flour. Mix until smooth.
Pour filling into springform pan with prepared crust.
Bake at 325o for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool in the over with the door closed for 6 hours. Remove and refrigerate until serving.
Notes
I always purchase generic or store brands unless a name brand is cheaper. I also use reduced or low-fat options for the cream cheese and sour cream.
Cost: Less than $7
Preparation time: 1 hour 20 minutes + 6 hours cooling
Number of servings: 8 – 12
Hi, I’m Cathy! I’m a former career-driven professional turned stay-at-home mom. Living on one salary has its challenges, but it is possible to live the good life while spending less. Cool to be Frugal is all about how we’re thriving, not just surviving, on a single income.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks really really yummy! Reckon I could replace sour cream with Yoghurt? I have not seen sour cream around here.
Forest – It is yummy!
You can substitute yogurt for the sour cream. You may want to strain it through a cheesecloth first as it can be watery. Or you may need to compensate by adding a teaspoon or so of flour to the mixture. Let me know how it turns out.
Mrs. F