Cheesecake is huge in my family; graham cracker crust cheesecake is slightly lower on the list. My parents are from New Jersey; most of my family is still on the East Coast. They know cheesecake. This is the easiest cheesecake my family has.
There's no fancy story with this one, just the years of tweaking to find a recipe with a crust that didn't turn to a gross brick when it set. To my memory, I mixed together a bunch of recipes that I found and baked them in different combinations until I found one that worked.
May I say, it is quite good, for a crusted cheesecake. I might be biased on this topic (and every other topic). The dad-man by far has the strongest opinions about cheesecake compared to anyone else I know. An it has garnered rave reviews such as: "Damn it kid. You're trying to make me fat." As he's going for another slice.
I do mention toppings in the recipe, and the examples are numerous. Here are some of my personal favorites:
If you're taking this cake to a party, I highly recommend a cake saver with a sturdy lid. I'm always terrified that it's just going to slide off the seat.
While graham cracker crust cheesecake may not be a favorite in my house, it has been a crowd favorite at many gatherings. Pro crust or not, this cheesecake is definitely one to add to your recipe box no matter your baking abilities. Happy baking!
Classic Cheesecake with a graham cracker crust.
Toppings include: Macerated berries, Caramel drizzle, Fresh strawberries, Chocolate Fudge