This Fluffy Crustless Cheesecake is simply the best, and it happens to be gluten-free! This New York-style cheesecake has fans all over the world! It's one of the most popular recipes on Cooking with Mamma C.
This Fluffy Crustless Cheesecake is the best cheesecake I've ever tasted! And it's become a holiday tradition for many Cooking with Mamma C visitors, ever since I posted the recipe in 2014.
I'm almost at a loss for words in trying to describe this New York cheesecake without crust. It's fluffy, airy, luscious, creamy and so delicately soft.
It's pure decadence! And, since it's flourless, this is a gluten-free cheesecake.
Delicious on its own, it's flavored with vanilla and is just begging to be accented with your favorite cheesecake topping. I've tried it with homemade versions of chocolate liqueur, strawberry liqueur and limoncello.
I know. To die for!
But it's excellent with non-alcoholic toppings like Italian Strawberries with Sugar and Lemon, caramel sauce and raspberry coulis.
We enjoy this crustless cheesecake on our trips to Connecticut to visit my in-laws for the holidays. A dear family friend makes it, and my mother-in-law stores it in the freezer to thaw when we arrive.
I asked for the recipe several years ago, and the rest is history!
Recipe ingredients
Cream Cheese - You'll need five, 8-ounce blocks for this tall cheesecake. We're not messing around!
You can use full-fat or low-fat cream cheese. Just make sure it's softened.
Sour Cream - The addition of sour cream to the batter makes this a New York-style cheesecake recipe. Use regular or low-fat sour cream.
Eggs: We're using large eggs here. I haven't tested this with other sizes.
For a keto cheesecake
You can easily make this no-crust cheesecake low carb. To make a keto crustless cheesecake, replace the sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener. Monk fruit sweetener (affiliate link) has the best taste, in my opinion.
How to make fluffy cheesecake
The key to this fluffy cheesecake recipe is beating in lots of air for volume! Besides beating after adding each ingredient, you'll beat the cheesecake filling for seven minutes.
See the recipe card at the end of this post for full instructions, but here's an overview.
Tips for the best crustless cheesecake:
- To prevent lumps, let the cream cheese, eggs and sour cream come to room temperature before starting. Beat each block of cream cheese one at a time, until it's smooth and creamy. Add each ingredient one at a time, beating after each addition, just until combined, then mix everything for seven minutes.
- To prevent over browning, move your top oven rack down to the second lowest position and bake your cheesecake there, with nothing above it so there's room. Also, if you have a dark springform pan, you'll need to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees. Note that your cheesecake will still taste good if it does get brown on top.
- To prevent cracks, bake your cheesecake in a water bath (bain marie) by filling a roasting pan ¼ full with hot water and placing your springform pan (affiliate link) with the batter in it. When done baking, leave the cheesecake in the oven with the door ajar for one hour.
- To prevent water from seeping into your springform pan, place your springform in a large pie dish first. Then set the pie plate with the springform in the water bath and proceed. If you don't have a pie dish large enough, you'll need to wrap the outside of the springform pan with heavy-duty foil (or a double layer of regular foil), covering the bottom, up the sides and inside the top of the rim.
How to tell when cheesecake is done
The cheesecake is done when the top is set, except for a small circle in the middle. Don't insert anything into the cheesecake to test it, or it will crack.
Turn off the heat and let the cheesecake stay in the oven with the door ajar for one hour. This allows the cheesecake to finish cooking in the center while the cake cools down gradually.
Frequently asked questions
You can freeze this cheesecake for up to three weeks with good results. The texture starts to change after that, but it can be used within two months.
Cover the cheesecake (whole, partial or sliced) with plastic wrap, then foil. You can leave the cheesecake in the springform pan and just wrap the whole thing.
Thaw the cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight or let it sit out at room temperature for 2-4 hours. You can thaw an individual slice in the microwave on the defrost setting for less than a minute.
You just need to release the buckle, then lift the sides of the pan to remove the circular frame. Keep the cheesecake on the bottom portion of the pan, however. You can even place the cheesecake with the base of the pan on a cake stand.
More dessert recipes to love
- Chocolate Cheesecake - A chocolate version of this gluten-free crustless cheesecake!
- Creamy Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping - A family favorite for decades!
- Lemon Lush Dessert - A recipe made from scratch!
- Torta Caprese - A flourless chocolate-almond cake that's gluten free!
If you try this Fluffy Crustless Cheesecake, be sure to leave a comment and a rating!
Fluffy Crustless Cheesecake (NY Style)
Video
Ingredients
- 5 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 6 eggs (large)
- 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pint sour cream (low-fat is fine)
Instructions
- Two hours ahead of time, unwrap the cream cheese blocks and set them out at room temperature to soften. Set out the eggs and sour cream also. When the cream cheese is softened, start the recipe.
- Move the top oven rack down to the second lowest position in your oven, with nothing above it (to prevent over browning the cheesecake). Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. (If using a dark springform pan, you'll need to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees F for this recipe, or the cheesecake will brown too much. You'll start at 375 degrees, then lower to 350 degrees.)
- Grease a 10-inch springform pan. (See notes if you have a 9-inch springform.)
- Fill a roasting pan ¼ full with hot water. Prepare your springform pan to prevent water from seeping into it during baking. If you have a large pie dish, place the springform in it. If you don't have a pie dish large enough, you'll need to wrap the outside of the springform pan with heavy-duty foil (or a double layer of regular foil), covering the bottom, up the sides and inside the top of the rim.
- In a large mixing bowl, add one block of cream cheese and beat it until creamy. Continue adding one block of cream cheese at a time and beating well, scraping the bowl as needed. There must not be any lumps in your batter. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition on low. Add the remaining ingredients one at a time, mixing to combine after each addition. When all ingredients have been added, beat on high (or as high as you can without splashing) for seven minutes.
- Transfer the batter to the springform pan (filling it no more than ¾ of the way to the top; see notes for what to do with extra batter). Place the springform and bottom pie dish in the water bath and bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. (Use 375 degrees for a dark pan.) Then lower the temperature to 375 degrees (use 350 degrees for a dark pan) and bake for 40-55 minutes, or until the top is set except for a small circle in the middle. Do not insert anything into the cheesecake to test it, or it will crack. Turn off the heat and let the cheesecake stay in the oven with the door ajar for one hour.
- Leave the cheesecake in the springform pan and let it finish cooling on a wire rack. Refrigerate it overnight before slicing it. Leave it uncovered the first night if you can, unless you have strong odors in your fridge from onions or something. (See notes.)
- To slice, remove the outer circle of the pan and dip a knife in warm water to make the cuts, wiping the knife clean after each slice. (Keep the bottom of the pan under the cheesecake. You can even place the cheesecake with the bottom portion of the pan on a cake stand.)
- Store the cheesecake covered in the refrigerator (you can keep it in the springform) for up to three days or freeze it for up to 3 weeks. Wrap it in plastic, then foil before freezing it. Thaw the cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight or let it sit out at room temperature for 2-4 hours. You can thaw an individual slice in the microwave on the defrost setting for less than a minute.
Notes
- Even if you have a 10-inch springform, just fill it ¾ full so it doesn't overflow.
- If you only have a 9-inch springform pan, fill it ¾ full with the batter. Bake the remaining batter in two ramekins or another suitable baking dish, in a water bath, ideally in a separate oven, so you can pull out them out earlier without affecting the springform cheesecake. I bake my extra batter in a separate oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then 25 minutes at 375 degrees, then leave it in the oven with the door ajar for 20 minutes. If you don't have a separate oven, bake the ramekins/baking dish in the same oven with the springform cheesecake for the full amount of time (it's important not to open the oven during baking) and just know that the ramekins/baking dish will come out a bit overcooked, but tasty.
- Some readers have halved the recipe with good results.
- Whenever I cover the cheesecake with foil or wrap the first night, a few drops of moisture pool on top of the cheesecake, leaving a water stain on its surface. If you don't have strong odors in your fridge, try leaving the cheesecake uncovered for the first night.
- I have never tried making this with a crust.
- This cheesecake is barely adapted from a Williams Sonoma recipe.
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Barely adapted from family friends Lee and Carol, who said it originally came from Williams Sonoma. Originally published on December 22, 2014 and updated now with additional photos and information.)
Beth says
Has anyone made this with monk fruit sweetener? I don’t know the ratio to use for substitution. I have a friend with cancer who is not allowed sugar.
Mahalo,
Beth
Mamma C says
Hi Beth - If you read through the comments, you'll see that some people have used monk fruit sweetener in place of the sugar. They used the same amount that was called for if using sugar.
Cheri says
First time cheesecake baker (long time baker), and I love how this is crustless! I did have to read the instructions closely (a few times) just to be sure I understood the steps. I didn't have a round springy cake pan but I did have a square one. It looks amazing (obviously). 😎 i (my husband) didn't like the idea of having the oven door open for so long (yes I turned the oven off) because of the heat that will pour out in an already hot environment. Since have a double gas oven I baked in the bottom and transferred to the top to leave that door open (still heat but less). Haven't tasted it yet, (tomorrow).
Mamma C says
Hi Cheri - I hope you enjoy it! Normally, we wouldn't move the cheesecake from the original oven right after it bakes, because the cheesecake could crack. I'm also curious about the lower temperature in the top oven and if it has any effect on the result. You'll have to let us know!
Joanne says
Very disappointing. Sank to HALF the size while doing the hour cooling in the oven as directed. And, despite lowering the temp to 375 as per direction, as my pan is dark, it was way too brown after 50 minutes. I’ll never make this again.
Mamma C says
Hi Joanne - It sounds like you never lowered the heat by 25 degrees after baking for the first 10 minutes at 375 degrees. The oven should have been lowered to 350 degrees after the first 10 minutes. When using a dark pan, you have to lower the heat by 25 degrees every time an oven temperature is given in this recipe. I just updated the instructions to add another reminder to lower the heat for a dark pan.
Hydee says
I read the directions couple times. I watched the video. Mine came out dense and flat. I used a dark pan. The directions said to turn down 25*. First 10 minutes I cooked it on 375 then turned down to 350. I’m so bummed I was making it for father’s day.
Mamma C says
Hi Hydee - I'm sorry to hear that and want to help troubleshoot. Does your oven run extra hot? Have you checked its accuracy with an oven thermometer? I'm also wondering if your ingredients were too cold when being mixed, which would require extra mixing time and thus a denser cheesecake. Have you tasted it today? If it tastes good but is just dense, perhaps you could add berries on top. These Italian strawberries taste delicious with it.
Linda Delaney says
Can this be made in a 9X 13 inch pan instead of a 9 inch springform pan?
Mamma C says
Hi Linda - I haven't tried this in a 9x13. The baking time might be different. Please report back if you try it.
Jennibeth Lopez says
Best cheesecake recipe ever. My whole family raves about it!
Mamma C says
Hi Jennibeth - That's great to hear! Thanks for leaving a review.
Reina says
Could this be made in an Instant Pot?
Mamma C says
Hi Reina - I have not tested this in the Instant Pot and have no idea if it would work as written.
Denise says
I made it the first time ever making cheese cake, and it did get a bit too brown on top but was so amazing!!! I don't really like graham cracker crust so this is awesome!!
The second time I made it I just let cook a bit less and it was very good as well.
Getting ready to make it for the 3rd time today.
Mamma C says
Hi Denise - Thanks for sharing your experiences making this cheesecake. I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
Dan W. says
When I lived in NY I went to the local bakery for N Y cheesecake and I was told they always used Ricotta cheese in the cheesecake batter along with cream cheese eggs and sour cream along with other ingredients and never use a graham cracker crust. Just saying.
Mamma C says
Hi Dan - Oh, that's interesting.
Francine says
@Dan... that's an Italian cheesecake recipe. 2 blocks of cream cheese, one 16oz ricotta... 5 eggs separated, 1/4-1/2 cup sugar, lemon zest and juice. It's all I can remember lll
Mamma C says
Hi Francine - Thanks for your input!
JoAnne Zliczewski says
That’s interesting. I grew up in queens and worked in Manhattan and never heard of ricotta being used unless it was an Italian cheesecake. Maybe it was just that bakery that used it.
Mamma C says
Hi JoAnne - I agree.
Chris L says
The taste was sensational but it was super flat and never fluffed up
Mamma C says
Hi Chris - Were the cream cheese, eggs and sour cream cold when you used them? They need to be at room temperature for best results.
Mel says
Cheesecake came out beautiful! First time ever making cheesecake. Made it for a dinner party but . . . many guests left on their plate after taking a bite - found it too sour? Followed recipe exactly as written - including amount of sour cream. Any idea what I should do differently? I think adding lemon or orange zest and a sweet topping like whipped cream, or sweet fruit drizzle may help, but open to ideas. Did anyone else find the cheesecake unpleasantly sour?
Mamma C says
Hi Mel - I'm wondering if your cream cheese or sour cream went bad. The cheesecake should not taste sour. This recipe has been on my site since 2014 and has hundreds of 5-star ratings. No one has ever mentioned it tasting sour. Of course, you can add a fruit topping next time. These Italian strawberries are wonderful with it.