Cheesecake has been my favorite dessert since I can remember. I’d always leaned toward New York Style cheesecake as a child, but when I reached adulthood I discovered the deliciousness of Italian Cheesecake. The difference is in the ricotta cheese.
I think the first time I tried and loved this yummy dessert was when I was in Atlantic City on business and my colleagues and I dined at the famed Chef Vola restaurant. This is the same restaurant that served Frank Sinatra his favorite Banana Cream Pie in his day. And yes, we tried that too and it was delicious. Unfortunately, I don’t have that recipe. Yet.
For some reason, I don’t remember my grandmother making this dessert though I’m sure she did because she loved cheesecake as much as me. My neighbor was making her Grandma’s Italian Cheesecake almost every time she had us over or when we invited them for dinner and I finally asked for the recipe.
Because this is such a large and rich dessert, I make it only when I’m having a bunch of guests over for dinner parties and holiday dinners. Otherwise it would be dangerous just sitting there in my fridge ready for the eating.
Helpful Tools:
- 2 8 oz cream cheese bricks
- 6 large eggs
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 6 heaping tbsp flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 16 oz sour cream
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- In a large mixing bowl add cream cheese, ricotta and sugar. Mix well. Add one egg at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add one heaping tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix well.
- Line the bottom of a springform pan with wax paper. Grease and flour the wax paper and sides of the pan.
- Pour the mixture into the pan and place in the oven to cook for 50 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Turn off oven, open the door 1/4 of the way and keep the cheesecake inside the oven for another hour. After the second hour, take the cheesecake out of the oven and place onto the counter to cool for another hour.
- Serve with cherries if desired.
Recipe courtesy of my neighbor Donna.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
This looks amazing – I’m a huge fan of cheesecake, too! Thanks for linking up to the #homematters linky party! We hope to see you again this coming Wednesday!
The Chef's Wife | Anne @TheSatEvePot says
I am not a huge dessert eater usually … unless there is cheesecake which has always been a favorite!! This looks so yummy … homemade is of course always best. Wonder why it’s called Italian?!
Heather M says
I love homemade cheesecake. I have never made it with sour cream.
mitzismith116124507 says
I think my youngest son would live off of cheesecake if he could– this looks like a pillow it’s so fluffy– I want a slice!
displacedyinzer says
I’ve never tried making my own cheesecake, but I really like your recipe. Now, just to get the proper equipment!
Amanda Smith says
My son Adam is a cheesecake nut! And I like it too. I’ve never had Italian Cheesecake, so I will have to try this. Yummy!
Clare Swindlehurst (@SuperMommyClub) says
Oh my that looks delicious – cheesecake is the one thing I really miss since I found out I was lactose intolerant!
Amanda Love says
Hubby makes a mean cheesecake but I’m going to share this recipe with him and hope he makes this one for me.
Tess says
I love cheesecake! I have never made homemade but I have to try this!
Marielle Altenor says
I love cooking but I’ve always been terrible at baking and making deserts! I tried making a cheesecake once and it came out all wrong =( I would ask my sister to make me this cheesecake recipe! Looks so good!