Lindy’s New York Cheesecake

Lindy’s New York Cheesecake has a dense, creamy filling with just a touch of citrus. The pastry crust really sets this cheesecake above the rest. It’s perfect for special occasions and a holiday dessert.

copycat Lindy's New York Cheesecake on a platter and a slice in front of it.


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What Makes a Lindy’s Cheesecake So Good? 

First off, it is cheesecake, and who doesn’t love a good cheesecake? Second, it is New York Style Cheesecake, arguably the best version of cheesecake.

If you’re unfamiliar with Lindy’s, it was a renowned eatery known for several things, but especially its famous cheesecake in New York. This recipe is so phenomenal because its unique crust doesn’t contain a single graham cracker. Now, you can recreate the classic recipe 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 end 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 

To make the crust egg yolk crust, you’ll need:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Egg yolk
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Sugar
  • Lemon zest
  • Vanilla extract

For a homemade New York cheesecake, you’ll need:

  • Cream cheese
  • Sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Lemon zest
  • Orange zest
  • Vanilla extract
  • Eggs
  • Heavy cream
Lindy's New York Cheesecake ingredients.

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.
cheesecake crust pastry dough in a mixing bowl.

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 springform pan and trim edge of dough. Bake without the sides until the crust is golden brown–about 8 minutes. 
cheesecake pastry crust dough in a pan.

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 springform pan, so they slightly overlap the base and form a complete circle.
  5. Trim dough to three-quarters of an inch and remove any excessive overlap. 
  6. Place the springform pan into the fridge.
baked cheesecake crust in a pan.

To make the cheesecake filling:

  1. Add the cream cheese, sugar, flour, lemon zest, orange zest, and vanilla extract to a stand mixer bowl. 
Lindy's cheesecake ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  1. Beat the cheese mixture on HIGH speed with a flat beater until the ingredients are fully incorporated. 
  2. Lower the electric mixer speed to medium, and add the eggs and yolks one at a time.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream. Mix until just combined. 

To finish the cheesecake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°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 10 minutes. 
  5. Reduce the heat to 350°F.
  6. Bake for between 75 to 90 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. 
a slice of copycat Lindy's New York cheesecake on a plate.

Baking Tips For This Recipe

Please note this recipe requires a more experienced cook. While this cheesecake is very delicious, it requires attention to detail. For the greatest success, please try these tips:

  • All ingredients should be started at room temperature for best results and even baking.
  • The flour crust for cheese cake 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 shaking it.
  • 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? Really, anything goes great with the mild sweetness and slight tang of this cheesecake. 

How Long Does Baked NY Cheesecake Last? 

A properly wrapped and uncut cheesecake will last about a week in the fridge, but once you cut it, it will start to get crusty in about three to four days. 

Can You Freeze Cheesecake With Pastry Crust? 

Yes, you can freeze this classic New York cheesecake. The best method is to put the cheesecake onto a baking tray and put it uncovered in the freezer until it freezes solid.

Then, you can wrap the cheesecake in aluminum foil without damaging it. Put the wrapped cheesecake in a plastic bag, which will last up to a month in the freezer.

Thaw the cheesecake in the fridge overnight before serving.

overhead view of copycat Lindy's New York cheesecake.

Love Cheesecake? Try These Recipes!

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

copycat Lindy's New York Cheesecake on a platter and a slice in front of it.

Lindy’s New York Cheesecake

Lindy's New York Cheesecake has a dense, creamy filling and pastry crust.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cheesecake Recipe, New York Cheesecake
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 442kcal

Ingredients

Cheesecake Crust

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup butter softened

Cheesecake Filling

  • 40 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Cheesecake Crust

  • Combine the flour, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
  • Make a well in the center and add the egg yolk and butter. Mix until the dough pulls away and cleans the sides of the bowl.
  • Remove the dough from the bowl, form it into a ball, and wrap it in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Remove the sides of the pan and set aside.
  • Roll 1/3 of the dough to fit the bottom of the springform pan.
  • Place it in the oven and bake until golden, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  • Divide the remaining dough into 3 parts and roll each part into a strip, 2 1/2 inches wide and 10 inches long.
  • Put the springform pan back together, leaving the baked crust in the pan.
  • Fit the dough strips to the sides of the pan, joining the ends to line the pan completely. Trim the dough so it comes only 3/4 inches up the side of the pan. Refrigerate while making the filling.

Cheesecake Filling

  • Combine the cream cheese, sugar, flour, lemon zest, orange zest, and vanilla in the large work bowl of an electric mixer. Beat at high speed until just blended.
  • Reduce to medium speed, and add the eggs and yolks one at a time.
  • Add the cream and beat until just combined.
  • Transfer the mixture to the springform pan.
  • Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for 75 and 90 more minutes.
  • Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or ideally overnight before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 178mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1220IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jojo

    5 stars
    Have had THE Lindy’s (7th Ave.) dozens upon dozens of times over decades when they were open. My taste buds never detected this recipe’s orange, to a lesser extent lemon zest……………………

  2. THERESA

    fantastic taste but why did it rise and fall and then crack. delicious anyway and i covered the ugly top with fresh berries.

5 from 9 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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