The Best Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

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(9)

Enjoy the best vanilla bean cheesecake that tastes very close to The Cheesecake Factory's version. It is incredibly delicious! This recipe takes time to make and is best after it has set in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Slice of vanilla bean cheesecake on a plate.
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
7 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs
Servings:
8
Yield:
1 9-inch cheesecake
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 Madagascar vanilla beans

Crust:

  • 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs (such as Keebler)

  • cup butter, melted

  • ¼ cup white sugar

Cheesecake:

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

  • 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

White Chocolate Mousse:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream

  • ¼ cup confectioners' sugar

  • 2 (4 ounce) bars white baking chocolate, chopped

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 1 ½ tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Various baking ingredients measured in bowls on marble surface.

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  2. Split 1 vanilla bean lengthwise with the tip of a sharp knife. Holding the pod open, scrape seeds from each half using the flat side of your knife; place in a bowl. Repeat with second vanilla bean, placing seeds in a separate bowl.

    Hands scraping vanilla bean on wooden cutting board.

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  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 white sugar together in a bowl. Press over the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.

    Graham cracker crusted lined spring form pan.

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  4. Combine 2 packages cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup white sugar, and cornstarch in a large bowl; mix until sugar is dissolved.

    Whipped creamy cheese mixture in glass bowl.

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  5. Add seeds from 1 vanilla bean, softened butter, and vanilla extract; blend until smooth. Pour over graham cracker crust.

    Cheese mixture spread over graham cracker base in baking pan.

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  6. Bake in the preheated oven until top is a light tan color, 30 to 35 minutes; set aside to cool.

    Freshly baked cheesecake in a pan.

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  7. Beat 2 cups heavy cream in a chilled bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add 1/4 confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until cream is stiff. Place in the refrigerator.

    Hand mixer with whipped cheese filling in glass bowl on marble.

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  8. Melt white chocolate in top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Remove from heat and let cool, about 5 minutes.

    Smooth melted white chocolate in clear glass bowl on marble countertop.

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  9. Beat 1 package cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in white chocolate until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Spread over the cooled crust. Chill for 1 to 2 hours.

    Spreading cheese mixture into baked crust in pan with spatula.

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  10. Beat 1 cup heavy cream in a chilled bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Beat in seeds from the second vanilla bean and 1 1/2 tablespoon confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form.

    Hand mixer and glass bowl with whipped cheese filling.

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  11. Spread over cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 6 hours to overnight.

    Whipped cream being smoothed cheesecake in baking pan.

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Tips

You can make your own graham cracker crust but I prefer to buy the Keebler mix, and you get multiple crusts from the box. I also buy my vanilla beans online because they are about $8 to $10 at the store for just two. So if you like the recipe and you want to make it more than once I suggest you get your beans online.

Editor's Note:

This recipe appeared in Allrecipes Magazine. The cheesecake filling was modified to use vanilla bean seeds in place of vanilla extract.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

1128 Calories
89g Fat
75g Carbs
12g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 1128
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 89g 114%
Saturated Fat 55g 276%
Cholesterol 261mg 87%
Sodium 478mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 75g 27%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 61g
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 221mg 17%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 311mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.