This salted caramel cheesecake has become my go-to dessert when I want to impress at holidays, birthdays, or dinner parties. The filling is incredibly creamy and rich, topped with a generous layer of homemade salted caramel sauce. The cookie crust adds the perfect crunch, pairing beautifully with the smooth cheesecake.
What makes this special is how the salted caramel perfectly balances the sweetness – it’s indulgent without being overwhelming. I made this for my last dinner party and watched everyone go back for seconds.
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Table of contents
Easy Caramel Cheesecake
This cheesecake is perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any time you want to serve something truly special. The silky smooth filling, topped with a glossy salted caramel sauce, makes for an impressive presentation.
The cookie crust provides a nice contrast to the creamy filling, and bthe est part? No water bath needed, so it’s actually pretty straightforward to make. This has quickly become my most requested dessert recipe for special occasions.
What You’ll Need to Cook
- Cream Cheese
- Graham Crackers
- Eggs – Room-temperature eggs are crucial for smooth incorporation into the batter. Cold eggs can cause the mixture to curdle or become lumpy.
- Sour Cream – This ingredient adds tangy richness and helps create that signature cheesecake texture. Full-fat sour cream works best, providing both flavor and the proper consistency. It also helps prevent cracking during the smoking process.
- Fresh Lemon – Both the juice and zest brighten the rich filling, helping to balance the sweetness of the caramel.
- Salted Butter, Melted
- Granulated Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Heavy Cream
- Sea Salt
Ingredient Substitutes
Graham Crackers – For Australian bakers, use McVitie’s Digestives or Arnott’s Marie biscuits for a less sweet, more sophisticated crust. British bakers can substitute digestive biscuits or Rich Tea biscuits. For a flavored twist, try ginger biscuits, which add warm spice notes that complement the caramel beautifully.
Sour Cream – Greek yogurt provides similar tanginess with slightly less richness, or you can use crème fraîche for an even more luxurious texture. Heavy cream mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice also works in a pinch.
Heavy Cream (for caramel) – Half-and-half can substitute, but will create a thinner caramel sauce. For dairy-free options, coconut cream works surprisingly well, though it will add subtle coconut flavor.
Lemon Juice – White vinegar provides the same acidity for texture but without the bright citrus flavor. Lime juice works as a flavor substitute, creating a slightly different but equally delicious profile.
How to Make Caramel Cheesecake
Step 1: Prepare Crust and Oven
Preheat oven to 325°F. Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and mix with sugar and melted butter until the mixture holds together. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan, extending slightly up the sides. Use the measuring cup bottom to pack tightly.
Step 2: Make Cheesecake Filling
Beat room-temperature cream cheese until smooth, about 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time on low speed, mixing just until incorporated. Fold in sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
Step 3: Bake with Water Bath
Wrap the springform pan with foil. Place the crust in a roasting pan and pour the filling over it. Add hot water halfway up the sides of the pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the edges are set but the center jiggles slightly when shaken.
Step 4: Cool and Make Caramel
Run a knife around the edges after baking. Cool 2 hours at room temperature, then refrigerate 4 hours. For caramel, heat the sugar until it turns amber, then whisk in the butter, followed by the cream and salt. Cool before drizzling over cheesecake.
How To Store Leftovers and Reheat
Cool cheesecake completely before covering and refrigerating for up to 4 days. For freezing, wrap each slice individually and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen slices in the refrigerator overnight.
This cheesecake is served chilled, so no reheating is needed. Remove from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly. Store caramel sauce separately in the fridge for up to one week.
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🍰 More Desserts to Try 🍩
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🍫 Smoked Pumpkin Pie
🍖Mains to Serve Before Your Cheesecake 🔥
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🍗 Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
🍖 Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
🥩 Grilled Tri-Tip
🍔 Smoked Lamb Burgers
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🥓 Smoked Pork Chops Stuffed with Cheese and Bacon
Caramel Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham crackers crushed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp salted butter melted
- For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 32 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
For the Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp salted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Crush graham crackers and mix with sugar and melted butter. Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar, then eggs one at a time. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice, and zest.
- Pour filling over crust. Place pan in aluminum foil water bath with hot water halfway up sides.
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes until center is almost set. Cool completely and refrigerate 3 hours.
- For caramel: heat sugar until amber, add butter, then cream and salt. Cool before serving.
- Drizzle caramel over chilled cheesecake before serving.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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