Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis

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This baked cheesecake celebrates the legendary New York style, made special by a unique dual-temperature curing technique. It begins with a high-heat bake and finishes slowly in a water bath, creating a rich, silky texture that stays perfectly smooth and crack-free. With the bold tang of premium cream cheese and the warm aroma of real vanilla beans, this cheesecake feels indulgent yet melts beautifully with every bite.

Cheesecake recipes variety featuring a baked vanilla bean cheesecake and a vibrant no-bake strawberry cheesecake
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Velvety Texture & Floral Aroma

A truly exceptional Vanilla Bean Cheesecake is defined by the seamless harmony between its structural elegance and its sensory depth. The hallmark of this dessert is its velvety texture—a dense, ultra-smooth consistency that feels like silk on the palate. Achieving this requires a precise balance of high-fat cream cheese, gentle emulsification, and a low-temperature bake. Unlike fluffier, aerated cakes, this New York-style base is designed to melt slowly, allowing the richness of the dairy to linger and set the stage for the primary flavor profile.

Complementing this luxurious mouthfeel is a sophisticated floral aroma. By utilizing whole vanilla beans, we infuse the batter with a fragrance that is far more nuanced than standard synthetic flavorings. As the cheesecake bakes, the heat coaxes out delicate notes of jasmine and honey from the vanilla “caviar.” When you slice into the cake, the release of these aromatic oils creates an immediate sensory experience that perfectly offsets the bright, tangy zip of a Raspberry Coulis. The result is a dessert that isn’t just sweet, but one that engages the senses through its contrasting temperatures, vibrant colors, and deep, floral complexity.

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The Gourmet Difference: Vanilla Bean vs. Extract

When crafting a Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, the choice between whole beans and liquid extract is the defining factor of the final profile. Real vanilla beans contain a complex symphony of over 250 organic compounds, offering floral, earthy, and even smoky undertones that a standard extract—often diluted with alcohol—simply cannot capture. While extract provides a singular “sweet” note, the oils in a fresh pod are more heat-stable, ensuring the flavor doesn’t fade during the long, slow bake.

The visual appeal is equally vital. Those tiny, iconic black specks suspended in the creamy filling act as a hallmark of quality, signaling a premium, scratch-made dessert. When paired with the sharp acidity of a Raspberry Coulis, the deep, creamy fragrance of the real bean provides a sophisticated balance that elevates the entire dish from a simple sweet treat to a professional-tier masterpiece.

💡 Pro-Tips for Perfect Vanilla Cheesecake

The Room Temp Rule: Ensure your cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream are at true room temperature before mixing. This is the only way to achieve a completely smooth, lump-free batter without over-incorporating air.

The “No-Whisk” Zone: Use a paddle attachment on low speed rather than a whisk. Over-beating introduces air bubbles that cause the cheesecake to puff up and then crack as it cools.

The Gentle Water Bath: Bake your cheesecake in a bain-marie (water bath). The steam insulates the edges and ensures the internal temperature rises evenly, preserving that signature velvety texture.

The Carry-Over Cook: Turn off the oven while the center is still slightly jiggly (like set gelatin). Leaving the door ajar for an hour allows the cake to finish setting slowly, preventing the dreaded “sunken center.”

The Clean Cut: For professional, restaurant-style slices, dip a sharp thin-bladed knife into hot water and wipe it clean between every single cut. This keeps the vanilla bean specks visible and the edges sharp.

The Final Secret to a Perfect Slice

The hardest part of this recipe isn’t the baking—it’s the waiting. While it is tempting to slice into your Vanilla Bean Cheesecake as soon as it reaches room temperature, a full overnight chill in the refrigerator is what transforms the texture from a soft mousse to a dense, professional-grade silk. This resting period allows the vanilla bean flavors to fully mature and the raspberry coulis to set into a glossy, pourable glaze. When you are finally ready to serve, dip a sharp thin-bladed knife into hot water and wipe it dry between every single cut. This ensures those clean, restaurant-style edges that make this dessert a true showstopper.

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis

Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
8 hours
Total Time 9 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 Slices
Course: Dessert, Holiday Classics
Cuisine: American, New York Style
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Graham Cracker Crust
  • 1.5 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs Approx. 10-12 full sheets, finely pulsed.
  • 3 tbsp Granulated Sugar Helps caramelize the crust during the pre-bake.
  • 6 tbsp Unsalted Butter Melted; use high-quality butter for better flavor.
  • 1/4 tsp Salt Fine sea salt to balance the sweetness.
The Vanilla Bean Filling
  • 32 oz Full-Fat Cream Cheese 4 blocks (225g each); must be room temperature.
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar Superfine sugar dissolves most evenly.
  • 1 cup Full-Fat Sour Cream Adds the signature "tang" and velvety texture.
  • 2 whole Vanilla Beans Madagascar Bourbon or Tahitian; split and scraped.
  • 4 large Eggs Room temperature; added one at a time.
  • 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract Optional; reinforces the base notes.
The Raspberry Coulis
  • 12 oz Fresh Raspberries Can use frozen (thawed), but fresh is more vibrant.
  • 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar Dissolves instantly into the cold fruit purée.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice Essential for brightness and setting the color.

Equipment

  • 1 9-inch Springform Pan Essential for removing the cheesecake without damaging the delicate edges.
  • 1 Large Roasting Pan Must be large enough to hold the springform pan for the bain-marie (water bath).
  • 1 Heavy-Duty Aluminum Foil Use extra-wide foil to wrap the bottom of the pan to prevent water leakage.
  • 1 Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer Fitted with a paddle attachment to minimize air incorporation.
  • 1 Fine-Mesh Sieve Crucial for straining the raspberry coulis to achieve a seedless, silky finish.
  • 1 Small Paring Knife Used to split and scrape the "caviar" from the vanilla bean pods.

Method
 

  1. Follow these high-precision steps to ensure your Vanilla Bean Cheesecake achieves a professional, crack-free finish with a silky-smooth Raspberry Coulis.
  2. The Crust Foundation
    Associated Ingredients: Graham Cracker Crumbs, Melted Butter, Sugar Preheat your oven to 175°C. Combine the crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Firmly press this into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of your 9-inch springform pan.
  3. Action: Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely. This creates a moisture barrier for the filling.
  4. The Vanilla Infusion
    Associated Ingredients: Vanilla Beans, Cream Cheese, Sugar Split the vanilla beans lengthwise. Using the back of a paring knife, scrape the "caviar" seeds from the pod.
  5. Action: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar on low speed until perfectly smooth. Add the vanilla seeds and sour cream, mixing until just combined.
  6. The Low-Air Integration
    Associated Ingredients: Eggs Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on the lowest speed only until the yellow disappears.
  7. Action: Do not over-mix! Over-mixing incorporates air, which causes the cheesecake to rise and then crack. If you see lumps, pass the batter through a fine-mesh sieve into the pan.
  8. The Bain-Marie (Water Bath)
    Associated Ingredients: Hot Water Wrap the outside of your cooled springform pan in three layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil to ensure a waterproof seal.
  9. Action: Place the wrapped pan into a large roasting pan. Pour hot water into the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake at 160°C for 75 minutes.
  10. The "Jiggle" Set & Cooling
    Turn off the oven when the edges are set but the center (about 2 inches) still wobbles slightly when shaken.
  11. Action: Crack the oven door open and let the cake cool inside for 1 hour. This slow temperature drop is the secret to a crack-free top. Transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 8 hours.
  12. The Silky Raspberry Finish
    Associated Ingredients: Raspberries, Powdered Sugar, Lemon Juice While the cake chills, blend the raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice until liquefied.
  13. Action: Press the purée through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all seeds.
  14. Pour the smooth coulis over individual slices or the whole cake just before serving.

Notes

🍽️ Serving & Presentation

 
Serve the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis chilled for the best texture and flavor. Slice cleanly using a warm knife and place each portion on a dessert plate. Drizzle the raspberry coulis over the top or around the plate for an elegant touch. Finish with fresh raspberries or a light dusting of powdered sugar to create a refined, bakery-style presentation.
 

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