Easy Microwave Cheesecake
Prep Time
6 minsCook Time
8 minsFree Time
to listen to your favorite new jam — six times!
Skip the springform pan and water bath — this microwave-perfected cheesecake has all the taste of the timeless dessert in a fraction of the time and effort. Creamy, slow-cooked custard sits atop a buttery graham crust. Permission granted to eat dessert before dinner.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (20g) Graham cracker crumbs
Batter
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60g) sour cream
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation
- Melt the butter in the Anyday dish.
- Add the crumbs, and mix well. Make the crust by pressing the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the cream cheese and sugar into a smooth creamy paste. Add the remaining batter ingredients and mix well. Pour the mixture into the dish over the crust.
- Cook uncovered in the microwave at Power Level 5for 8 minutes. The cheesecake will look shiny and slightly jiggly. Don’t worry if it has a few cracks!✕
Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels.
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Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.
For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.
Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:
PL 10 = 100% = High (default)
PL 9 = 90% = High
PL 8 = 80% = Med-High
PL 7 = 70% = Med-High
PL 6 = 60% = Medium
PL 5 = 50% = Medium
PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low
PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low
PL 2 = 20% = Low
PL 1 = 10% = Low
You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.
- Cool completely in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Top with your favorite fruit or jam to serve.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Try replacing the graham cracker for any cookie flavor you like, such as lemon or chocolate.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free cookie crumbs.
- Add lemon, lime or orange zest to the batter for a citrusy tang.
- Enjoy with fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel.
Recipe notes
- Adjust the power level by 1 as needed — increase if it’s taking longer than expected to set, or decrease if it’s too cracked around the edge.
- If using whole graham crackers, you can make coarse graham cracker crumbs by placing them in a Ziploc bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
