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What Is Considered to Be Cheesecake?

Cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts in the world for a good reason. It is sweet, creamy and so satisfying, and has plenty of varieties for everyone’s taste.

While many argue if it is really a cake or not, that doesn’t affect its status at all. Every country has a way of preparing it, using different types of cheese and techniques.

What’s in common is the combination of crust (baked or not), and one or more layers.

The main layer typically consists of soft and creamy cheese, eggs, and sugar with some additional flavors.

Because of the arrangement (crust and a filling), it is not considered a cake, but a custard pie, flan, or even a tart.

The cake can be baked or no-baked and usually consists of crust and filling. The crust can be made from dough or sponge cake, but most often is made with crushed graham crackers, mixed with butter, and tightly pressed in a round pan. The filling is made with the following:

• Cheese – in the US, cream cheese is the most typical choice for the cake. Other countries use ricotta, cottage cheese, or Neufchâtel cheese.
• Eggs – both whole eggs and egg yolks are mixed, so the texture of the cake gets creamier and denser.
• Powdered sugar – in contrast to the cheese, to create a perfectly sweet, yet cheesy, and a bit tangy combination.
• Sour cream – many US states add sour cream (or heavy cream) to the original recipe for an even softer texture.
• Flour or cornstarch – used for the baked variety of the cake. They prevent the cracking of the pie and ensure easier cutting.
• Lemon zest – for adding citrusy freshness and flavor.
• Additional icings and toppings – melted chocolate, fresh fruit or fruit sauce, caramel, whipping cream, and more can be added to the original recipe.

Who Invented Cheesecake?

It originated in Ancient Greece and was made for religious uses and wedding ceremonies, and as a source of energy for the first Olympic athletes. The cake consisted of wheat flour, cheese, and honey.

When the Romans conquered Greece, they got familiar with the recipe for this dessert. They started crumbling the cheese into small pieces and included eggs in the recipe. Their version was also served for special occasions.

Moreover, as the Romans expanded their empire, so did the recipe for the cake. It was recreated in almost every European country and enriched with additional, local ingredients.

In the 18th century, the cake started looking more modern. At that time yeast was removed from the recipe and beaten eggs were added as a leavening agent.

Furthermore, as the Europeans immigrated to the US, some of them brought their cake recipes with them.

And if not the cake itself, the cream cheese originated in the US. While trying to recreate a version of the French cheese Neufchâtel, the dairyman William Lawrence from Chester, New York invented the cream cheese. Thus, soon it became one of the key ingredients for the cake.

In the US there are many varieties of this dessert, with the NY style being the most popular one.

The American restaurateur Arnold Reuben is credited for inventing the New York cheesecake in the 1920s.

The New York-style version is made with additional yolks for extra creaminess but is served with no toppings. Some chefs bake the pie at low temperatures in a water bath, to avoid the risk of overbaking. Moreover, this way no cracks will appear on the cake’s surface.

In Chicago, they use sour cream alongside the cream cheese, and in Philadelphia, the cake is lighter and creamier and can be served with fruit or chocolate toppings. St. Louis variety has a buttery taste with one more layer over the main filling.

What Are The Most Popular Types of Cheesecake?

There are many variations to this delicious dessert. However, a few notable ones are:

• New York-style – The twice-baked pie is characterized by a rich, dense but creamy, and smooth consistency. Furthermore, it is served with no fruit, caramel, or chocolate on top or on the side.
• Strawberry cheesecake – The traditional recipe for the pie, plus some delicious strawberries on top, and some strawberry sauce. A perfect cheesy and fruity combination.
• Oreo cheesecake – For this variety Oreo crumbs are added to the crust and in the filling. Usually, the cake gets decorated with more cookies on top.
• Keto cheesecake – The crust for this low-carb variety is made with almond or coconut flour and a sweetener instead of sugar. This is usually a gluten-free alternative, too.
• Raw (vegan) cake – For the dairy-free alternative, soaked and blended cashews are used instead of cream cheese. The crust is made with nuts, (gluten-free) oats, and dates.

How Many Calories Are in a Regular Slice of Cheesecake?

There are around 321 calories in 100 grams of cheesecake. This includes 23 g of total fat or 35% of the daily value based on a 2000-calorie diet.

In addition, we got 55 mg of cholesterol (18%), 438 mg of sodium (18%), and 90 mg of potassium (2%). What's more, the number of total carbohydrates is 26 g (8%), whereas the amount of protein is 6 g (12%).

Lastly, there is 3% of iron, 5% of vitamin B6, 2% of magnesium, 5% of calcium, 4% of vitamin D, and 3% of cobalamin.

Where Can I Find Cheesecake Near Me?

Considering its popularity, you can easily find this toothsome dessert near you. Still, we at Slice are here to offer some amazing restaurant recommendations as always.

First, we have to mention New York. And the place we have for you this time is Bagels & Co on Amsterdam Ave. You can give them a visit but takeout and delivery are also available. Plus, you save 10% on any online order via Slice!

As for those of you in Chicago, we present you - Suparossa. Located on N Central Ave, they're open 7 days a week and also offer pickup and delivery. And if you order online through Slice, you get 5% off.