Lindy’s New York Cheesecake Recipe – Famous Pastry Crust Version

Lindy’s New York Cheesecake features a dense, creamy filling with just a touch of citrus and a unique pastry crust that sets this cheesecake above the rest. This recipe recreates the famous dessert from the renowned New York eatery, perfect for special occasions and holiday celebrations. What makes this cheesecake extraordinary is its authentic shortcrust pastry base, which doesn’t contain a single graham cracker, staying true to the original New York-style tradition.

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Why This Recipe Works

First, it’s cheesecake, and who doesn’t love a good cheesecake? Second, it’s New York Style Cheesecake, arguably the best version of cheesecake. If you’re unfamiliar with Lindy’s, it was a renowned eatery known primarily for its famous cheesecake in New York. This recipe is phenomenal because its unique crust showcases the time and care put into creating an authentic, restaurant-quality dessert at home.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

This cheesecake recipe is better than any you’ve ever tried. Although it does require some effort, the result will blow you away with a delicious pastry crust and a velvety, rich filling.

The intricate dessert showcases the time and care put into it, making it perfect for celebrations. The cream cheese filling features subtle notes of fresh lemon and orange zest that perfectly complement the sweet vanilla extract.

Although most recipes for New York-style cheesecakes today call for a graham cracker crust or other cookie crumb crust, they were initially made with a shortcrust. Shortcrust has four ingredients: a four-to-one ratio of flour to fat, a pinch of salt, and just enough cold water to bring everything together. 

This version of shortcrust is similar to a classic Pate Sablee since it contains egg yolk and sugar. 

Ingredients For Lindy’s Famous New York Cheesecake 

Pastry Crust:

• All-purpose flour – Provides structure and creates the tender, flaky base for the traditional shortcrust
• Unsalted butter – Adds richness and creates the perfect texture when combined with flour
• Egg yolk – Enriches the dough and helps bind ingredients while adding a golden color
• Sugar – Sweetens the crust and helps create a tender, cookie-like texture
• Lemon zest – Adds bright citrus notes that complement the cheesecake filling
• Vanilla extract – Provides aromatic sweetness and depth to the pastry

Cheesecake Filling:

• Cream cheese – The star ingredient that creates the signature dense, rich, and creamy New York-style texture
• Sugar – Sweetens the filling and helps create the smooth, velvety consistency
• All-purpose flour – Stabilizes the filling and prevents cracking during baking
• Lemon zest – Adds bright, fresh citrus notes that balance the richness
• Orange zest – Contributes subtle citrus complexity and aromatic depth
• Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet notes
• Eggs – Provide structure, richness, and help the cheesecake set properly
• Heavy cream – Creates the ultimate creamy, luxurious texture

How To Make This Cheesecake From Scratch 

To prepare the dough for the crust:

1. Combine flour and butter in the bowl of a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, cut the fat into the flour using a pastry blender or the tines of a fork directly in a large mixing bowl.
2. Pulse until the flour mixture reaches the consistency of wet sand.
3. Transfer the flour mixture to a large bowl.
4. Stir together the egg yolk, vanilla extract, sugar, and lemon zest in a small bowl.
5. Pour the egg yolk mixture into the flour mixture.
6. Use your hands to squeeze the dough together, but don’t work the dough too much.
7. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for about an hour. Allowing the pastry to rest in the fridge helps to relax the gluten and produces a more tender crust.

To prebake the bottom crust:

1. While the dough is resting, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Remove the dough from the fridge and cut off a third. Wrap the remaining dough in plastic and set it aside.
3. Roll the dough into a 9-inch circle. You can remove the sides of a springform pan and use the base as a template. 
4. Place the dough circle on the bottom of the springform pan and trim the edge of the dough. Bake without the sides until the crust is golden brown–about 8 minutes. 

To finish the crust:

1. While the bottom of the crust is baking, divide the remaining dough into three equal pieces. 
2. Roll each piece into a two-inch-wide strip that is about 10 inches long. 
3. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool on the base.
4. When the base is cool, reattach the sides of the springform pan and fit dough strips on the side of the springform pan, so they slightly overlap the base and form a complete circle.
5. Trim the dough to three-quarters of an inch and remove any excessive overlap. 
6. Place the springform pan into the fridge.

To make the cheesecake filling:

1. Add the cream cheese, sugar, flour, lemon zest, orange zest, and vanilla extract to a stand mixer bowl. 

2. Beat the cheese mixture on HIGH speed with a flat beater until the ingredients are fully incorporated. 
3. Lower the electric mixer speed to medium, and add the eggs and yolks one at a time.
4. Pour in the heavy cream. Mix until just combined. 

To finish the cheesecake:

1. Preheat the oven to 500°F
2. Take the springform pan out of the fridge and pour in the filling. Use a spatula to spread it evenly in the crust.
3. Jiggle the pan slightly to level the filling and break up any bubbles. 
4. Bake for 12 minutes. 
5. Reduce the heat to 200°F.
6. Bake for between 60 minutes more.
7. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and set it on a wire rack to cool 
8. Once cool, remove the sides of the springform pan.
9. Cover the top of the cheesecake with plastic wrap. Chill it in the fridge for at least three hours (overnight is better) before serving. 

Baking Tips For This Recipe

Please note that this recipe requires a more experienced cook. While this cheesecake is very delicious, it requires attention to detail. Try these tips to ensure your success.

• All ingredients should be started at room temperature for best results and even baking.
• The flour crust for cheesecake must be sealed well, or your batter will likely slide out of the cake.
• Cook the cheesecake until it no longer jiggles in the center when shaken.
• Allow the cheesecake ample time to set up and cool to room temperature after baking.

How To Serve a Classic New York Cheesecake 

Always keep the cheesecake covered in a pie box or lightly wrapped in plastic to prevent it from drying. 

To cut the cheesecake:

1. Run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe dry.
2. Place the tip of the blade at the center of the cheesecake and slice down in a single smooth motion towards the edge.
3. Rinse the knife off under hot water and wipe dry.
4. Rotate the cheesecake to finish slicing it in half.
5. Repeat the steps to cut the cake into quarters.
6. Slice each quarter in half to end up with eight even wedges.

Use a pie server to lift each slice from the bottom and serve.

What To Serve With a New York Cheesecake 

Fresh or macerated strawberries or blueberries are high on the list, but there are other options. Whipped cream and chocolate chips? Sure. Lemon curd or Nutella? Why not? Anything goes great with the mild sweetness and slight tang of this cheesecake. 

Storage & Reheating Instructions for Lindy’s Cheesecake

Refrigerator Storage: Store properly wrapped and uncut cheesecake for up to 1 week. Once cut, consume within 3-4 days before it becomes crusty.

Reheating Method: This dessert is served chilled and does not require reheating.

Freezing: Place uncovered on a baking tray until frozen solid, then wrap in aluminum foil and place in a plastic bag. Freezes for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Love Cheesecake? Try These Recipes!

• Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
• Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
• Cheesecake Factory Oreo Cheesecake
• Original Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake
• Peaches and Cream Cheesecake
• Red Velvet Cheesecake
• Sopapilla Cheesecake
• Tiramisu Cheesecake

Favorite Holiday Desserts

• Chocolate Delight
• Hershey Bar Cake
• Italian Lemon Cream Cake
• Rum Cake Recipe
• Sock It To Me Cake

Check out my easy dessert recipes and the best Christmas and Thanksgiving recipes here on CopyKat!