Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp (42g) melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp (25g) brown sugar
- 1 pinch (1g) salt
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (245g) plain non-fat Greek yogurt, strained
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sweetener or honey
- 3 large (150g) eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp (15ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp (8g) cornstarch
Instructions:
- Combine graham crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the 9-inch springform pan using the back of a spoon.
- Bake crust at 325°F (160°C) for 10 minutes until toasted and nutty. Set aside to cool.
- Beat the softened cream cheese and sweetener on medium speed until completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Fold in the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix on low until just combined—do not overbeat.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing on the lowest setting until incorporated. Stir in the cornstarch by hand to avoid adding excess air.
- Wrap the outside of the springform pan in double layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent water leakage.
- Pour the batter over the cooled crust and place the pan inside a large roasting pan.
- Fill the roasting pan with boiling water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan to create a water bath.
- Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 45 minutes. The edges should be set, and the center should still have a slight, uniform jiggle.
- Turn the oven off, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake sit in the cooling oven for 30 minutes to prevent a sudden temperature drop.
- After cooling, remove from water bath, unwrap foil, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (recommended) before serving.
- Common fix: If the top cracks, fill the fissure with a dollop of extra Greek yogurt mixed with a drop of honey (optional) for presentation.