Vanilla Decadence Cheesecake

Instructions

• 1Two racks will give you plenty of space to temper your ingredients.
• 2Allowing the cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs to come to room temperature will make it much easier to mix the batter. With a smoother texture from the start, your batter and overall baking experience will be greatly improved. Since this process takes several hours, you can speed it up using the oven!
• 3Mixing the vanilla bean into the sugar first will prevent the beans from clumping together. (If you don't have a vanilla bean, you can substitute with 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.) A food processor makes mixing quick and easy, ensuring your batter is beautifully smooth. Letting the batter rest for 60 minutes in the fridge will help make the top of your cheesecake perfect and blemish free. While the batter is resting, clean the bowl of your food processor—you'll need it again in a bit!
• 4Removing the upper rack ensures there's plenty of room for your cheesecake. Baking on the middle rack allows for a gentle and even cook for the delicate “custard" filling.
• 5Lining the bottom of the springform pan with greased parchment paper will make it easier to release the cheesecake once it’s cooled. Using your food processor again makes this step quick and easy and ensures your crust is evenly crumbly without any big bits of graham cracker.
• 6This is essential to keep the crust nice and crisp after the filling is added.
• 7Tapping the pan gently on the counter will remove any air bubbles for a smooth, unblemished surface. Note: It’s okay if your crust is still a little warm here. We just want to make sure it’s not fresh-from-the-oven hot.
• 8Autopilot will bake in two phases with precise temperature control, which is why you don’t need to use a water bath.
• 9Letting the cheesecake cool in the oven with the door ajar will ensure a top that’s smooth and free of cracks.
• 10Cool for 8 hours, or more, to get clean and beautiful slices.
• 11To produce the cleanest slices, dip your knife into hot water and dry before slicing. Repeat for each slice.
• 12Fulfill your wildest cheesecake, candy, croissant, and cake fantasies at chefsteps.com