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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Huckleberry Cheesecake Recipe

    Huckleberry Cheesecake Recipe

    Published: Dec 8, 2020 · Modified: Jul 31, 2021 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

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    This Huckleberry Cheesecake recipe is ridiculously good! The cheesecake is rich, dense, and incredible on its own, and made even better with the tart and sweet huckleberry topping! If you don't have access to fresh huckleberries, we also include a recipe where you can make this with huckleberry preserves.

    Slice of huckleberry cheesecake with whole cheesecake in background.
    Jump to:
    • What are Huckleberries?
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Key Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Recommended Recipes
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    What are Huckleberries?

    Huckleberries are similar to blueberries, but a little bit smaller, and they are a delightful combination of tart and sweet. The flavor of huckleberry balances a rich cheesecake perfectly, giving it just the right level of tanginess.

    If you are lucky enough to have picked fresh huckleberries then you already know how delicious they are! But for those of you new to the huckleberry world, you are in for a delightful treat!

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    In my humble opinion, this recipe is the best cheesecake recipe you will find! When you serve it, people will be asking you what bakery you purchased it from. Yep, it's that good!

    But don't be intimidated! Just because it tastes like it is from a bakery doesn't mean you need to be a master baker. Even a beginner baker can make this luscious cheesecake! And if you are looking for a miniature version, check out this Mini New York Cheesecake Recipe!

    Key Ingredients

    Cheesecake ingredients: Cream cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla, lemon juice, sour cream.
    • Cream Cheese: The filling for this cheesecake is similar to a classic New York cheesecake. That means it has a lot of cream cheese! Two pounds of cream cheese, to be exact! This makes it creamy, dense, and delicious!
    • Eggs: Eggs add more creaminess to the cheesecake, and contribute to the rich texture. But too many eggs can cause your cheesecake to crack. We achieve the best of both worlds by using 4 large eggs and 2 egg yolks.
    • Flour: Another way we fight against cracks is by adding flour to the cheesecake. This provides structure to the cheesecake and helps it to stand firm.
    • Sour Cream: Adds moisture to the cheesecake, without making it too liquidy.
    • Lemon Juice, Vanilla, and Sugar: For mouthwatering flavor.
    • A Graham Cracker Crust: Not pictured is the graham cracker crust. But don't be fooled! It is still an important part of this cheesecake. We use graham crackers, butter, sugar, and just a pinch of salt.
    • Huckleberry Topping: For fresh huckleberry topping you need fresh huckleberries, of course, along with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and a little bit of water. But if you are making this with huckleberry preserves it is even easier - just preserves, lemon juice, and water!

    Instructions

    Step 1: Make the Crust

    A great crust is a foundation for a wonderful cheesecake, and this crust does not disappoint! There is not a hint of sogginess. It is crisp and buttery, with a hint of salted caramel flavor, just like in this Philadelphia Cheesecake Recipe.

    • Wrap your springform pan with aluminum foil before filling with the crust, so that the water bath does not leak into your cheesecake.
    • It can be tricky to get a crust distributed evenly. To make this easy, use a measuring cup or flat-bottomed glass to press in the crust to the bottom and sides of your springform pan.
    • When the crust bakes, the sides may slip down. But don't fret! Just use that same measuring cup while the crust is still warm, and you can press the sides back up nice and high.
    Using a measuring cup to press crumbs into the sides of springform pan.

    Step 2) Make the Filling

    • Begin with all of your ingredients at room temperature. All of them! That means, the cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs all need to be sitting on your counter for at least an hour. This helps your ingredients incorporate together without having to overmix.
    • Don't overmix. Mixing your cheesecake batter heavily will add too much air into your cheesecake. Then when it bakes the cheesecake will fall, causing cracks in the surface.
    • It is okay to beat your cream cheese and sugar together well, but for the rest of the ingredients, mix them in on low speed until they are just incorporated.
    Pouring batter into graham cracker crust.

    Step 3: Prepare the Water Bath

    Before we get into how to make a water bath, let's take a look at why you want to make a water bath for your cheesecake. To put it simply, the water bath releases steam that allows your cheesecake to cook slowly. This helps it cook evenly and also keeps it from cracking.

    • The most important part of preparing for a water bath is wrapping your springform pan with heavy-duty foil. Use foil that is 18" wide so that you can use an 18x18-inch square. Place the pan in the middle of the foil and bring the foil up around the pan. The pan should be wrapped where there are no creases or holes on the bottom half of the pan, where water can get in.
    • Place the springform pan, filled with the cheesecake, in a large roasting pan. If you do not have a large enough pan, you can place the springform pan directly on an oven rack and put the water in a pan on the rack below. This does not work quite as well but is better than not using a water bath at all.
    • Pour boiling water into the pan, being careful to not splash into the cheesecake. Fill the roasting pan with 1-inch of water.
    • About halfway through baking, check the pan and add more water, if needed.
    Pouring boiling water into a roasting pan.

    Step 4) Bake

    • The hardest part of making cheesecake is that it is an exercise in patience! It cooks at a low temperature of 325 degrees so that the outside of the cheesecake is not overcooked by the time that the middle is ready.
    • Look for your cheesecake to be just developing some light brown spots, with the middle still being a little bit jiggly.
    • Turn your oven off and crack the door open. Let the cheesecake cool slowly for an hour.
    • Remove from the oven and refrigerate for 8 hours.
    Cheesecake is baking in the oven.

    How to Make Huckleberry Topping

    • Fresh or frozen huckleberries can be used to make the huckleberry topping. And if you don't have access to whole huckleberries, check out the recipe notes for directions on how to make a topping using huckleberry preserves!
    • To make the topping, place the berries, water, and sugar into a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes. This softens the huckleberries and draws out the juices.
    • Adding the cornstarch directly to the sauce would make it lumpy. Instead, mix it with lemon juice. This makes a slurry, which is a starch and liquid mixed to thicken a sauce. Add the slurry into the huckleberry mixture and cook it for a couple of minutes until the sauce has thickened, then cool.
    • If you want your topping thinner, then add more water, a half tablespoon at a time. If you want it thicker, make another slurry and add a half teaspoon at a time to the mixture.
    Saucepan with huckleberry topping.

    Recommended Recipes

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      Huckleberry Cheesecake Recipe
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      Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie (With Heavy Cream)
    • Strawberry blueberry shortcake on a plate, with a fork on the plate, and 2 more shortcakes on plates in the background.
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    • Classic cheesecake slice on a plate with cherry pie filling on top, bowl of cherries and whole cheesecake in background.
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    • Huckleberry Pie
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    Slice of cheesecake on a plate with a bite out of it, and the rest of the cheesecake in the background.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this recipe with different berries?

    Blueberries are a delicious substitution if you do not have access to huckleberries, but you can also make this recipe using strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries!

    What do I do if I don't have a springform pan?

    This recipe can be made in a 9x13 pan or two cake pans. Check your cheesecake after it has been cooking for an hour, as the baking time will vary based on the pan that you are using.

    Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

    Neufchatel cheese can be used, which will reduce the fat content a little bit. I do not recommend using a low fat cream cheese as it will affect the texture and overall results of the cheesecake.

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    Slice of cheesecake on a plate with a bite out of it.

    Huckleberry Cheesecake

    Recipe by: Erin
    Rich, dense, incredible cheesecake with a slightly tart, slightly sweet huckleberry topping.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 40 mins
    Cooling and Setting Time 9 hrs
    Total Time 11 hrs 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 582 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Graham Cracker Crust

    • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (13 full graham cracker sheets)
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • 6 tablespoons butter
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Cheesecake Filling

    • 32 ounces cream cheese (4 eight-ounce blocks)
    • 1 ¾ cups sugar
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 4 teaspoons vanilla
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 4 eggs
    • 2 egg yolks
    • ½ cup sour cream

    Huckleberry Topping

    • 2 cup huckleberries
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ¼ cup water
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons corn starch
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Graham Cracker Crust

    • Pulse graham crackers in a food processor to create fine crumbs. Alternatively, you can crush the crackers in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin.
    • Transfer the graham cracker crumbs to a medium bowl and add the sugar and melted butter. Mix well until fully combined.
    • Using a flat-bottomed measuring cup or glass, press the crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of a springform pan.
    • Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees and open the oven door until it has cooled to 325.
    • If the crust has fallen or crumbled then while it is still warm use the measuring cup to press back against the sides.

    Cheesecake Filling

    • Wrap the outside of a springform pan with a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
    • Pour water into a large stock pan or tea kettle and bring to a boil.
    • Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese for 1 minute. Add sugar and continue beating for 3 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
    • Add flour and mix until incorporated. Add vanilla and lemon juice and beat on low speed until combined.
    • Add the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, beating on low speed in between each addition. Scrape the bowl before adding the next egg.
    • Mix sour cream into the mixture, using low speed. It should be fully mixed into the batter but you do not want to beat it at this point, or overmix.
    • Pour the cheesecake batter over the graham cracker crust and use a spoon or spatula to smooth the batter.
    • Place the cheesecake into a roasting pan. Pour the boiling water into the pan until it reaches 1-inch up the sides of the pan.
    • Bake the cheesecake at 325 degrees for 90-100 minutes, or until the cheesecake has set. The edges should be slightly puffed and the middle of the cheesecake will still be jiggly.
    • Turn the oven off and crack open the oven door, allowing the cheesecake to cool for 1 hour without moving it from the oven.
    • Remove from the oven and discard the foil. Run a knife around the edge of the pan so that the cheesecake does not stick. Place plastic wrap over the top of the cheesecake and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or overnight.

    Huckleberry Topping

    • Place huckleberries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
    • In a small bowl, make a slurry of cornstarch and lemon juice, mixing together until smooth.
    • Stir the cornstarch slurry into the huckleberries and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, until thickened, then remove from the stove and cool to room temperature.
    • When ready to serve, remove the outer ring from the springform pan and pour the huckleberry topping over the top of the cheesecake.
    • Fill a tall glass with hot water. Dip a sharp knife into the water, then slice the cheesecake. After each cut, dip back into the water and wipe it with a towel so that each cut into the cheesecake begins with a clean knife.

    Notes

    Huckleberry Topping with Jam Recipe
    1 cup huckleberry preserves
    2 tablespoons water
    1 teaspoon lemon juice
    In a small saucepan, heat huckleberry preserves, water, and lemon juice over medium heat, until it begins to bubble. If the sauce seems too thick, add additional water, ½ tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
     
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 1344IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Share a photo of your creation with your friends!Mention @stateofdinner or tag #stateofdinner!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Concetta M Christensen

      August 13, 2022 at 3:57 pm

      I can't comment on the cake yet because it is in the oven now. Hoping someone can answer this for me. I had some batter left over, just enough for a 4-in spring pan. Can anyone tell me at what temperature and how long to bake the 4-in cake?

      Reply
      • Erin

        August 13, 2022 at 4:17 pm

        I have not made a 4-inch cheesecake in the oven, but you should probably start checking it after it has cooked for 25 minutes.

        Reply
        • Concetta Christensen

          August 21, 2022 at 9:56 pm

          5 stars
          Thank you for that and now that I have made the cheesecake I gave it five stars. It is so delicious and much like my favorite cheesecake recipe that I lost--twice. This one was so delicious and someone actually wanted to buy some from me. I told him the next time I make it I'll gladly give him a piece.

        • Erin

          August 22, 2022 at 8:57 am

          I am so glad that you found this comparable to your favorite cheesecake recipe! Thank you for sharing!

    2. Lance Miller

      April 24, 2022 at 9:48 pm

      A few years back my Mother and I made a blueberry cheesecake together that the cheesecake itself was flavored like blueberry. My Father is now requesting his favorite, a huckleberry one. My question is, can I add your huckleberry preserve topping mixture to your cheesecake batter recipe to make it have a huckleberry flavor throughout the entire cheesecake??? I live in California so huckleberries are not readily available

      Reply
      • Erin

        April 25, 2022 at 9:42 am

        What a wonderful gift to give to your dad! I have not tested this recipe with the topping mixed in and do recommend that it be as the recipe is written, for best results. However, if you were to test mixing it in I would start by reducing the sour cream to 1/4 cup and reducing the sugar to 1 1/4 cup, then gently stirring the cooled sauce in right before baking. If you go that route, please report back on how it turns out!

        Reply
    3. Tina Shinaver

      December 26, 2021 at 8:53 pm

      I can't see where it says what size springform pan this recipe is.

      Reply
      • Erin

        December 27, 2021 at 11:16 am

        You can use a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan. If using a 9-inch pan, fill it to 1-inch from the top of the pan. There may be a very small amount of filling leftover but most of it will fit in the pan.

        Reply
    4. Cheryle Nolan

      August 05, 2021 at 7:17 pm

      I made it! I made a few tiny mistakes but my family raved about it. I would definitely make it again. It was great tasting.

      Reply
      • Erin

        August 09, 2021 at 10:46 am

        I am so happy to hear that you and your family loved this recipe!

        Reply
    5. Jennifer

      December 08, 2020 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      I am so glad that this isn’t another fluffy cheesecake recipe. Those make me feel like I am just eating air. This recipe is exactly what I am looking for in a good cheesecake!

      Reply
      • Erin

        December 25, 2020 at 1:57 pm

        Yes! A rich, dense cheesecake is the best, in my opinion! I am glad that you like this recipe!

        Reply

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