Classic Cheesecake

Classic Cheesecake

Skip the springform pan and water bath — this microwave-perfected cheesecake has all the taste of the timeless dessert in a fraction of the time and effort. Creamy, slow-cooked custard sits atop a buttery graham crust. Permission granted to eat dessert before dinner.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

1000w

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Product Size

  • Small Dish
  • Medium Shallow
  • Large Shallow
  • Medium Deep
  • Large Deep

Prep Time

6 mins

Cook Time

8 mins

Free Time

to listen to your favorite new jam — six times!

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 tablespoons unsalted butter 
  • ¼ cup (20g) Graham cracker crumbs

Batter

  • 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (60g) sour cream
  • ¼ cup (600ml) heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoons  cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extarct
  • teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Melt the butter in the Anyday dish. 
  2. Add the crumbs, and mix well. Make the crust by pressing the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish. 
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the cream cheese and sugar into a smooth creamy paste. Add the remaining batter ingredients and mix well. Pour mixture into the dish over the crust. 
  4. Cook uncovered in the microwave at Power Level 4

    Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels. 

    Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.

    For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

    Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:

    PL 10 = 100% = High (default)

    PL 9 = 90% = High

    PL 8 = 80% = Med-High

    PL 7 = 70% = Med-High

    PL 6 = 60% = Medium

    PL 5 = 50% = Medium

    PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low

    PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low

    PL 2 = 20% = Low

    PL 1 = 10% = Low

    You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.

    for 8 minutes. The cheesecake will look shiny and slightly jiggly. Don’t worry if it has a few cracks! 
  5. Cool completely in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Top with your favorite fruit or jam to serve.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Adjust the power level by 1 as needed — increase if it’s taking longer than expected to set, or decrease if it’s too cracked around the edge.
  • If using whole graham crackers, you can make coarse graham cracker crumbs by placing them in a Ziploc bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. 
  • Try replacing the graham cracker for any cookie flavor you like, such as lemon or chocolate. 
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free cookie crumbs. 
  • Add lemon, lime or orange zest to the batter for a citrusy tang. 
  • Enjoy with fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.