What’s not to love about a rich, creamy cheesecake? They’re like little slices of heaven on a plate. But, if you automatically think of a New York cheesecake whenever you think of them, you might be surprised to find out that there are actually many different types of cheesecakes. Here’s more info on different types of cheesecakes, along with ten of the most popular and delicious types you’ve definitely got to try.
Different Types of Cheesecakes: How They’re Made
Cheesecakes are one of the most famous desserts that are made from cheese. They’re also made with eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Because they’re made from relatively simple ingredients, cheesecakes are really simple to customize. You can swirl different flavors into the cheesecake filling itself to alter the flavor. Or, you can top the baked cheesecake with sauce, berries, or whatever combinations you can dream up. In fact, the combinations are practically endless.
Different types of cheesecakes are also made from different types of cheeses, including mascarpone, ricotta, and cream cheese. Changing up the types of cheese slightly changes the flavor and consistency of the cheesecake. Plus, you can even make a cheesecake that requires no time at all in the oven by using a slightly different combination of cheeses.
If you’re looking for a delicious cheesecake without having to worry about gathering up ingredients, prepping it, and baking it yourself, stop by your local Edible® store. We offer a large selection of cheesecake gifts and treats that are simply mouthwatering. Our Assorted Cheesecake Box is made up of cheesecake topped with chocolate dipped banana, cheesecake topped with chocolate dipped pineapple, cheesecake topped with chocolate dipped strawberries, and cheesecake topped with fresh pineapples and strawberries.
Top 10 Different Types of Cheesecakes
There are hundreds of different types of cheesecakes out there, made with practically every flavor under the sun. Here are ten of the very best cheesecakes you can find:
1. Birthday Cheesecake
What better way to celebrate a birthday than with a cheesecake? This rich and creamy cheesecake is made with real flour and real sugar and is topped with whipped cream and mini sprinkles. Plus, since you can pick it right up from your local Edible® store, it’s a lot easier than whipping up a homemade cheesecake.
2. Pumpkin Cheesecake
Spiced pumpkin cheesecake balances fall flavors with silky cheesecake. It’s made by adding pumpkin and other fall spices right into the cheesecake filling. Plus, it’s topped with decadent whipped cream for a creamy touch.
New York–style cheesecake uses a cream cheese base with sour cream and a graham cracker crust. It has a rich, dense, and creamy consistency and can be topped with your favorite garnish.
Chocolate cheesecake is the perfect dessert for chocolate lovers because it adds melted semisweet chocolate chips right into the cheesecake filling. It’s rich, creamy, and chocolatey, all dolloped on top of a crunchy Oreo cookie crust.
5. White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
This type of cheesecake offers two flavor customizations. White chocolate chips are melted into the cheesecake filling, while raspberries are boiled into a sauce and swirled into the top of the cheesecake. It’s the perfect combination of tart and sweet.
6. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Chocolate peanut butter cheesecake mixes peanut butter into the rich cheesecake filling, which is poured atop an Oreo cookie crust. Chocolate ganache and chopped peanuts top off this decadent dessert that’s worthy of an award.
This type of cheesecake takes a regular New York-style cheesecake and tops it off with a decadent dollop of homemade fresh strawberry sauce. The graham cracker crust gives it a classic feel.
Combining the tart and sweet flavor of key lime pie and the incredible richness of classic cheesecake, a key lime cheesecake offers the best of both worlds. It’s made by mixing in key lime zest right into the cheesecake filling and topping with key lime slices and lots of whipped cream.
Imagine a mashup between a banana cream pie and a cheesecake, and you’ll be envisioning something quite similar to this type of cheesecake. It’s made with layers of cookie crust, creamy cheesecake, fresh bananas, banana pudding, and whipped topping.
Most classic types of cheesecakes require hours in the oven, but not all styles do. No-bake cheesecake uses less cheese and heavy cream whipped into stiff peaks to create a fluffy, almost mousse-like filling that’s simply irresistible and requires absolutely no baking time at all.
Other Questions about Cheesecakes
What are the different types of cheesecakes?
While there are many different variations of cheesecakes, there are a few basic types of cheesecakes, including:
- New York-style cheesecake
- Chicago-style cheesecake
- Traditional or classic cheesecake
- No bake cheesecake
- Philadelphia style cheesecake
- Vegan cheesecake
- Ricotta cheesecake (or Roman cheesecake)
- Cotton cheesecake (or soufflé cheesecake, originating in Japan)
- Ube cheesecake (originating in the Philippines)
- Basque cheesecake (originating in Spain)
- Käsekuchen (or German cheesecake)
- Topfentorte (or Austrian cheesecake)
- Ostkaka (or Swedish cheesecake)
- Vatrushka (or Russian cheesecake)
How many types of cheesecakes are there?
In general, there are 14 basic types of cheesecake, including the most popular types of cheesecake common around the world as well as variations common in particular countries or regions of the world.
Common types of cheesecake you can find pretty much anywhere across the globe include New York-style cheesecake, Chicago-style cheesecake, Philadelphia style cheesecake, traditional or classic cheesecake, no bake cheesecake, and vegan cheesecake. In the case of Philadelphia style cheesecake, “Philadelphia” refers to the cream cheese brand, rather than the city.
Ricotta cheesecake originates in Rome but is common around the world as well. Other regional varieties of cheesecake include cotton cheesecake, Ube cheesecake, Basque cheesecake, Käsekuchen, Topfentorte, Ostkaka, and Vatrushka.
What types of crusts can you use when making cheesecake?
You can use a variety of types of crusts when making a cheesecake, such as:
- Shortbread-style crust
- Graham cracker crust
- Vanilla wafer crust
- Cookie crust, such as chocolate sandwich cookie crust
- Pastry crust, such as ladyfinger crust or brownie crust
- Nut crust, such as hazelnut crust, almond crust, or walnut crust
- Pretzel crust
- Gingersnap crust
What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and regular cheesecake?
New York style cheesecake is very dense and rich compared to regular cheesecake, and it’s larger and taller than regular cheesecake. New York style cheesecake is firm, yet has a creamy texture, while classic cheesecake is lighter, fluffier, and sweeter.
New York style cheesecake contains more cream cheese, as well as heavy cream or sour cream to create its rich, creamy texture. A regular cheesecake typically uses three ingredients: cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. The classic cheesecake comes in endless variations, as it’s the type of cheesecake you most often find with unique ingredients and toppings such as fruit, sauce, candy, and more. While toppings and garnishes can be added to New York style cheesecake as well, but the pure form of a New York style cheesecake has no added toppings or flavorings.
Which flavor cheesecake is best?
New York style cheesecake, classic cheesecake, and no bake cheesecake are the most popular types of cheesecakes, but the best cheesecake flavor is the one that you find irresistible — and that may be different for everyone. Classic cheesecakes are often topped with strawberry topping, cherry topping, blueberry topping, or chocolate topping, and they can also be made in a variety of flavors such as pumpkin cheesecake and tiramisu cheesecake.
Now that you know more about the different types of cheesecakes, we’d like to know — what’s your very favorite?
