Cheesecake With Condensed Milk

This creamy cheesecake has sweetened condensed milk baked inside. It only takes a handful of ingredients to make. It is easy to make and doesn’t require a water bath. Be prepared to have a new favorite cheesecake recipe.

slice of creamy cheesecake with blackberry sauce.

This condensed milk cheesecake is super simple to make and is basically no fail. You don’t need a water bath and if you follow my tips, it won’t crack.

The sweetened condensed milk adds that rich creaminess, so you know it has to be good. And the recipe is easy enough you can probably commit it to memory.

My aunt Donna loves to spoil the whole family with cheesecakes. She is known for them and everyone gets excited when she pulls one out.

She makes this cheesecake, chocolate cheesecakes, round cheesecakes, square cheesecakes and more. My family always gets excited when she makes cheesecake, because they are all yummy!

So, of course I had to make her cheesecake recipe very early in this website’s life.  It absolutely fit the bill of favorite family recipes, which was how this whole site started.

The best part is the recipe is easy and I never have any problems with it cracking. That’s saying something for a baked cheesecake!

This cheesecake has been requested for all sorts of occasions over the years. My sister requested it for her wedding cake.

It has been the requested treat at several birthdays. And a cheesecake or two has made an appearance at more holidays than I can count.

When I tell you this recipe is a favorite in our family, you know it is true. It has been at so many of our celebrations.

So if you need a fail-safe cheesecake recipe, this one is for you.  It makes a great textured cheesecake that is the perfect mix of creamy and just the right density.

Can you use something besides graham crackers for the crust?

Of course! Any kind of cookie crumbs work well and this is a great way to easily change the flavor of this simple cheesecake.

Vanilla wafers, Oreos, or gingersnaps would all be great options to take this delicious dessert to the next level.

Carlee’s Tips for Getting Your Cheesecake Filling Perfectly Creamy

Beat the room temperature cream cheese really well before adding anything else. This is your only real chance to get all of the lumps out.

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Once you start adding more liquid, it gets harder to beat out chunks of cream cheese.  So make sure it’s softened, beat it well and scrape the sides of the bowl a few times before you move on.

Add the remaining ingredients a bit at a time to make sure they incorporate well. It’s worth taking a couple of minutes to do it right.

Once you start adding the eggs,  keep the mixer on low. You don’t want to incorporate air at this point.

Give the cheesecake a couple of good taps on the counter before you put it in the oven. That helps get any air bubbles out.

Carlee’s Tips for Avoiding a Cracked Cheesecake

How do you avoid a crack without a water bath? Bake the cheesecake low and slow and let it cool slowly too.

This allows the cheesecake to bake through evenly. It helps give it that amazing texture as well.

Cooling it too quickly can also cause a crack. Once it is set, I like to turn off the oven and crack the door open but leave the cheesecake inside.

After about ten or fifteen minutes, I move the cheesecake to the counter to cool to room temperature. Then it goes in the fridge to chill.

The gradual cooling makes such a difference!

Storage

Cheesecake should be stored in the refrigerator. Loosely wrap the cheesecake and it will stay good in the fridge for up to a week.

For longer storage, you can freeze the whole cake or individual slices of cheesecake.

Wrap what you would like to freeze in several layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Allow frozen cheesecake to slowly defrost in the refrigerator before enjoying.

Topping Ideas for Your Condensed Milk Cheesecake

This cheesecake is great on it’s own, but it is also wonderful with something on top. Here are a few of our favorites:

If you want more cheesecake goodness, I have quite a few ideas for you. Check out my collection of cheesecake recipes for more tasty inspiration.

Signature that says Enjoy! Carlee.
slice of creamy cheesecake with blackberry sauce.
4.83 from 246 ratings

Sweetened Condensed Milk Cheesecake

Author: Carlee
Servings: 16 Servings (a 9 inch cheesecake)
This cheesecake is super simple to make and is basically no fail. I've never had it crack on me. Follow my simple tips and you'll be enjoying your own perfect cheesecake with condensed milk as well.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 10 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Total: 2 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients 

  • cups graham cracker crumbs*
  • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons butter melted
  • 24 oz cream cheese softened
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon extract or almond or flavor of your choice
  • 4 large eggs
Makes: 9inch round

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 300°F
  • Stir the 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar and 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs* together in the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan, add the melted 4 Tablespoons butter. Mix together and press into the bottom of the pan. Bake for about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is really softened. In a large bowl, whip the 24 oz cream cheese until completely smooth, being sure the scrape the sides of your bowl a couple of times.
  • Mix in the 14 oz sweetened condensed milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon lemon extract (if using) until smooth.
  • Add the 4 large eggs, one at a time mixing until just combined. You don't want to whip air into the mixture at this point.
  • Pour the cream cheese mixture onto the crust. Thump it on the counter a couple of times to get out any big air bubbles.
  • Bake until the middle doesn't jiggle, about an hour
  • Let cool and then chill at least a couple of hours, preferably over night.

Notes

*You can buy a box of graham cracker crumbs or make you own. This recipe requires 1 sleeve of graham crackers turned into crumbs. I usually use a food processor for this but you can put them in a large resealable plastic bag and go over them with a rolling pin several times until they are fine crumbs.
For the best results, use full-fat cream cheese.

Video

YouTube video

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Nutrition Information

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 784IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 1mg
“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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4.83 from 246 votes (230 ratings without comment)

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121 Comments

  1. Kippi O'Hern says:

    Yum, this looks delicious! I left a comment on your video and a thumbs up!
    Have a sweet weekend,
    Kippi

    1. Thank you so much, Kippi!

  2. What size pan did you use?

    1. A nine inch springform pan 😊

  3. Love the video and love that you don't have to use a water bath!!!

    1. It is so easy and so good! Thank you

    2. Heaven W. says:

      Hello! Can I use fresh lemon juice instead of lemon extract?

      1. Sure! Or you can omit the extra flavor and just use vanilla if you would like.

  4. Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies says:

    My husband Looooves cheesecake, so I'll have to give this one a try!

    1. This is an easy version and we always love the results! I hope he does too!

  5. Amanda | Domestically Creative says:

    Cheesecake is a favorite in my house and this one looks delicious!

  6. Jessica Jarrell says:

    This looks like a really easy and delicious recipe! I love the picture of the heart shaped cake and the love sign, gorgeous! I'd have to try it with all the toppings 😀

    1. It was good with them all (not that I tried them all… I mean, of course I did!) It was a fun set up for a small wedding in my parents' farmstead.

  7. buildingourhive says:

    Looks delish! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!

  8. Thanks, Cindy! It is definitely a favorite in our family!

  9. Andrea Nine says:

    YUM!!! I love cheesecake too and the sweetened condensed milk in this….scrumptious!!

    1. It makes it so easy and so good! Thanks, Andrea!