For the longest time, I avoided making cheesecake. I thought it was way too complicated and just not my thing. But, guess what? I finally gave it a shot, and now I am totally hooked – both on making and eating it! Seriously, the cheesecake possibilities are endless. I have all these ideas for different flavors, toppings, and more, so you will definitely be seeing more cheesecake creations from me in the upcoming weeks.

So, what’s the deal with cheesecake?

Okay, I know cheesecake is a pretty famous dessert, but just in case you are new to it, here is a quick rundown. The cheesecake is a creamy dessert made with a buttery cookie crust, a smooth, rich cheese filling, and the most amazing toppings. You can top it with just about anything – fresh fruit, nuts, caramel, chocolate, peanut butter, you name it! What I love most is how flexible cheesecake is – you can easily adapt it to different flavors and preferences with a few simple tweaks.

Now, this maple-flavored version, is my way of capturing those cozy fall vibes. Maple syrup brings a warm, aromatic sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of the cheesecake. And let me tell you, it got only the best reviews from my friends and family. So, trust me – you’re going to love it!

Also, I’d love to hear about your own twists on cheesecake – what flavors and toppings are your favorites? Let’s get creative! The options are endless!

What you need

Cookies – You will need some biscuits or cookies for the crust. While graham crackers are the traditional choice, I love experimenting! Feel free to mix different types – this is a great chance to use up leftover cookies like tea biscuits, maple-flavored cookies, sandwich cookies, or even cereals like bran or Cheerios. For this recipe, I used a combo of Maria tea biscuits, a handful of bran cereal, and graham crackers. The variety in flavors adds depth and makes the crust more aromatic and fun!

Butter – Melted unsalted butter is essential to bind the cookie crumbs together, creating a rich and buttery crust. It helps to hold the crust in place and makes it easy to spread evenly on the bottom of the pan.

Brown Sugar – Adding brown sugar to the crust and filling gives a rich sweetness with a slight hint of molasses. I love using demerara sugar for its deep, smoky flavor, which really enhances both the crust and the creamy filling. It also adds a bit of crunch to the crust.

Nutmeg and cinnamon – Oh they will make this a heaven of flavours. Ground some nutmeg and sprinkle cinnamon to get the true colours and flavours of fall.

Cream Cheese – The star of the cheesecake! Make sure your cream cheese is softened at room temperature for 2-3 hours before you start to ensure you get a smooth, lump-free texture. I also like cutting the cream cheese into smaller cubes to make mixing easier and faster.

Sour Cream – The sour cream adds a slight tang and helps create that smooth, velvety texture we all love in cheesecake. It also prevents the filling from becoming too heavy, balancing out the richness of the cream cheese.

Maple Syrup – This is the star ingredient of the recipe! The maple syrup gives the cheesecake a warm, aromatic sweetness that is perfect for fall. Plus, it is a more natural sweetener, so you can feel a little less guilty. Not to mention, it gives the cheesecake a beautiful caramel touch.

Vanilla Extract – A splash of pure vanilla extract enhances the flavors of the cheese cake and complements the maple syrup perfectly, giving the whole dessert a beautiful aroma.

Eggs – Eggs are key to binding the ingredients together, giving the cheesecake structure while maintaining a creamy consistency. Be sure to bring the eggs to room temperature so they blend smoothly into the batter.

Few kitchen tools you’ll find handy

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A Good Non-Stick 9-Inch Springform Cake Pan – For a flawless cheesecake, a high-quality non-stick springform pan is essential. It makes baking so much easier, allowing you to release the cake without a struggle. Plus, it is durable, easy to clean, and gives your cheesecake that perfect shape. This is definitely a must-have for any serious (and less serious) baker!

Mixer – My Beloved KitchenAid! I absolutely love my KitchenAid stand mixer, and I know it can seem like a big investment, but trust me – it’ is worth every penny! This mixer is like your personal kitchen assistant, handling all the heavy work so you can focus on the fun parts. You can also add attachments to grind meat, make pasta, and so much more. And the color options? Stunning! It is both a powerful tool and a stylish addition to your kitchen.

Pro tip: If you get one, don’t forget to grab some organizers for the attachments—they are very affordable and keep everything neat and handy. I am actually adding them to my cart now!

Hand Mixer – If a stand mixer isn’t your thing, no worries – a good hand mixer will do the job just fine! This Kitchen Aid hand mixer is lightweight, comes with multiple speed settings, and is super easy to store. Plus, it is adorable! I love that it is both functional and fashionable, so you can have a tool that works great and looks cute at the same time.