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Slow-Cooker Rich and Creamy Cheesecake

By Lainey Seyler

Published on October 16, 2019

Time

1½ to 2½ hours on high

Yield

Serves 8

Slow cooker size

5 to 7 quarts

Slow-Cooker Rich and Creamy Cheesecake

Ingredients

6 whole graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled⅔ cup (4 ⅔ ounces/132 grams) plus 1 tablespoon sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Salt 18 ounces (510 grams) cream cheese, softened1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ cup sour cream 2 large eggs, room temperature

Before You Begin

You will need an oval slow cooker and a 6-inch springform pan for this recipe. Check the temperature of the cheesecake after 1½ hours of cooking and continue to monitor until it registers 150 degrees. To make neat slices, dip the knife blade into hot water and wipe it clean with a dish towel after each cut.

Instructions

  1. 1. Pulse graham crackers in food processor to fine crumbs, about 20 pulses. Add melted butter, 1 tablespoon sugar, cinnamon, and pinch salt and pulse to combine, about 4 pulses. Sprinkle crumbs into 6-inch springform pan and press into even layer using bottom of dry measuring cup. Wipe out processor bowl.
  2. Process cream cheese, vanilla, ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining ⅔ cup sugar in now-empty processor until combined, about 15 seconds, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add sour cream and eggs and process until just incorporated, about 15 seconds; do not overmix. Pour filling into prepared pan and smooth top.
  3. Fill slow cooker with ½ inch water (about 2 cups) and place aluminum foil rack in bottom. Set pan on prepared rack, cover, and cook until cheesecake registers 150 degrees, 1½ to 2½ hours on high. Turn off slow cooker and let cheesecake sit, covered, for 1 hour.
  4. Transfer cheesecake to wire rack. Run small knife around edge of cake and gently blot away condensation using paper towels. Let cheesecake cool in pan to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours or up to 3 days.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, run small knife around edge of cheesecake, then remove sides of pan. Invert cheesecake onto sheet of parchment paper, then turn cheesecake right side up onto serving dish. Serve.
Slow-Cooker Rich and Creamy Cheesecake
Photography by Daniel J. van Ackere. Styling by Marie Piraino.

Slow-Cooker Rich and Creamy Cheesecake

Headshot of Lainey Seyler
By Lainey Seyler
Save

Time

1½ to 2½ hours on high

Yield

Serves 8

Slow cooker size

5 to 7 quarts

Ingredients

6 whole graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
⅔ cup (4 ⅔ ounces/132 grams) plus 1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt
18 ounces (510 grams) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup sour cream
2 large eggs, room temperature

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 whole graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
⅔ cup (4 ⅔ ounces/132 grams) plus 1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt
18 ounces (510 grams) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup sour cream
2 large eggs, room temperature

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 whole graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
⅔ cup (4 ⅔ ounces/132 grams) plus 1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt
18 ounces (510 grams) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup sour cream
2 large eggs, room temperature

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

For a supremely creamy texture, we turned off the slow cooker once the cake registered 150 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and let the cheesecake sit in the slow cooker for an hour so it could gently finish cooking. A simple crust of graham crackers, butter, and sugar was a snap to make in a food processor and, with the processor already out, we could easily reuse it to attain a supersmooth filling. By mixing the cream cheese with sugar, sour cream, and a couple of eggs, we achieved the perfect balance of richness and sweetness. 

Before You Begin

You will need an oval slow cooker and a 6-inch springform pan for this recipe. Check the temperature of the cheesecake after 1½ hours of cooking and continue to monitor until it registers 150 degrees. To make neat slices, dip the knife blade into hot water and wipe it clean with a dish towel after each cut.

Instructions

  1. 1. Pulse graham crackers in food processor to fine crumbs, about 20 pulses. Add melted butter, 1 tablespoon sugar, cinnamon, and pinch salt and pulse to combine, about 4 pulses. Sprinkle crumbs into 6-inch springform pan and press into even layer using bottom of dry measuring cup. Wipe out processor bowl.
  2. Process cream cheese, vanilla, ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining ⅔ cup sugar in now-empty processor until combined, about 15 seconds, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add sour cream and eggs and process until just incorporated, about 15 seconds; do not overmix. Pour filling into prepared pan and smooth top.
  3. Fill slow cooker with ½ inch water (about 2 cups) and place aluminum foil rack in bottom. Set pan on prepared rack, cover, and cook until cheesecake registers 150 degrees, 1½ to 2½ hours on high. Turn off slow cooker and let cheesecake sit, covered, for 1 hour.
  4. Transfer cheesecake to wire rack. Run small knife around edge of cake and gently blot away condensation using paper towels. Let cheesecake cool in pan to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours or up to 3 days.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, run small knife around edge of cheesecake, then remove sides of pan. Invert cheesecake onto sheet of parchment paper, then turn cheesecake right side up onto serving dish. Serve.

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