The Best Goat Cheese Cheesecake

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Truly the best goat cheese cheesecake recipe made with cream cheese and goat cheese. It has a light goat cheese flavor and is topped with the most delicious sour cream topping. It’s a creamy cheesecake full of flavor and a must-try! 

goat cheesecake recipe with figs and a sour cream frosting.

If you love cheesecake as much as we do, you’ll love our classic goat cheese cheesecake recipe! Also, check out our Blood Orange CheesecakeRicotta Cheese Cake , and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake. They’re all fantastic! 

On Sunday, I made a goat cheese cheesecake and brought it to our friend’s house for dessert. After having a slice at one of my favorite restaurants, I had to go home and try to make one myself.

The cheesecake turned out amazing, and we all went back for seconds! The tangy goat cheese has a mild flavor but adds to the overall taste. I tossed the figs in honey and Grand Marnier and roasted them in the oven for a few minutes.

They looked so good on top of the cheesecake! This is one of my all-time favorite desserts! It would be perfect to serve at your next dinner party! 

Slice of goat cheesecake with crushed walnuts and sour cream topping.

I know cheesecake can seem daunting to make and requires a few uncommon steps, but I promise you it is easier than it looks.

Once you make one, you’ll be familiar with a few of the different techniques: wrapping the pan in foil and cooking it in a roasting pan filled with water. I know it sounds weird, but it’s the way cheesecake it made!

Figs on top of a cheesecake.

It’s straightforward to make; just leave yourself enough time for the cheesecake to bake and cool, which can take about 5 hours.

How to Make Goat Cheese Cheesecake

Supplies

Graham Cracker Crust

A cheesecake with a graham cracker crust is my favorite. It adds a light sweetness; it’s crispy and buttery and so simple to make with just five ingredients. 

  • Graham Cracker Crumbs – You can make these by adding graham crackers to a food processor or buying them already made into a crumb.
  • Sugar 
  • Butter 
  • Salt 
  • Cinnamon (optional but good)

You can also make this crust the day before and let it sit out, covered. Adding the cheesecake filling over the top will be just as good the next day.

layers of goat cheese cheesecake.

Ingredients

There are only seven simple ingredients in this cheesecake recipe! You can find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store.

Try to use whole, organic ingredients, as it genuinely does make a difference in the taste of the cheesecake. 

  • Cream Cheese – Use full fat cream cheese at room temperature. 
  • Goat Cheese – Use soft, room-temperature goat cheese. This gives the cake all of the goat cheese flavors! 
  • Heavy Cream – This creates a creamy texture in the cake.
  • Eggs – Use large organic eggs when possible.
  • Granulated Sugar – This adds sweetness to the cheesecake. 
  • Vanilla Extract – Use a pure organic extract for this recipe. 
  • Salt – Adds and enhances the flavors in this dessert.

Sour Cream Topping

This sour cream topping is one of my favorite toppings to add to cheesecake. You don’t have to make this, but it is so flavorful and adds the most beautiful, cloud-like whipped topping over the cheesecake. 

The ingredients are simple; you just have to whisk it with a fork in a small bowl. 

  • Sour Cream
  • Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioner’s sugar, this soft, white powdered sugar adds a nice sweetness to the topping. 
  • Vanilla Extract – Adds flavor; always use pure vanilla. 
  • Goat Cheese – We add more goat cheese to the topping for flavor.
Slice of cheesecake with sour cream frosting and walnuts.

Tips for Baking a Goat Cheesecake

I have made many cheesecakes in my life and have perfected them. Here are my tips for creating a creamy, fluffy, and delicious cheesecake.

  • Ensure the cream cheese (and goat cheese in this recipe) are entirely room temperature. This is SO important for texture. If you try to use one that is not room temp, soft and warm, you will have clumps of cheese in the cake. 
  • If you can’t wait for it to become room temperature, add the cream cheese into a bowl and microwave it for 30 seconds until it’s warm. It MUST be soft.
  • Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl often. If you’re using an electric mixer, scrape the sides and the bottom with a spatula and then start the mixer again. 
  • Beat on high to get a fluffy consistency. You want the batter to be super soft and creamy, almost like a whipped cheesecake. Scraping the sides as you go will help with removing any clumps.
  • Once the batter is whipped and you’re ready to pour it over the graham cracker crust, do not scrape the bowl, I know, confusing. This is because you want to avoid scraping any unmixed cream cheese that might have gotten stuck on the bottom of the batter. So, pour the batter that naturally falls out into the crust, and that’s it!
Pouring cheesecake batter over graham cracker crust.

Water Bath Method 

Baking a cheesecake requires you to do it in a water bath. It sounds way more technical and fancy than it is. This means, you wrap tinfoil around the bottom and sides of the pan, securing it so the water doesn’t seep in. 

Cheesecake batter in springform pan.

Next, on a roasting pan or baking sheet (with edges), you’ll place the tinfoil-wrapped cheesecake in the middle of the pan and then add warm water to the pan up to the sides of the springform.

This is because the water adds more moisture into the oven when cooking, helping the cheesecake not crack or become rubbery. It also adds an even, slower heat source which helps when baking custards and cheesecakes. 

Pouring water into a baking dish to bake a cheesecake in a water bath.

Make-Ahead Cheesecake Recipe

This cheesecake can be made the day before. It’s always nice to get the dessert finished the day before a dinner party so you don’t have to worry about it. Remove the cheesecake from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before serving and add the fresh berries.

Cheesecake with sour cream frosting and figs

How to Store Cheesecake

Once you have finished making your cheesecake, it is essential to store it properly to retain its texture and flavor. The best way to store cheesecake is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place the wrapped cake into an airtight container.

The container should be placed in the refrigerator, where it should be kept at a consistent temperature. Cheesecake can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you need to store it for longer, it is best to freeze the cake. 

How to Freeze

To do this, wrap the cheesecake in plastic and place it in a freezer-safe container. The cheesecake can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Slice of cheesecake on a plate with figs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze a cheesecake? How long does it keep for?

You can freeze this cheesecake for up to a month. Wrap it in tin foil and store it in an airtight bag. You can defrost the cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight. Just take it from the freezer to the fridge and let it sit overnight.

What does cheesecake taste like?

Cheesecake tastes like sweet cream cheese with a little more tartnss, but sweeter. It has a light texture, but it’s dense and creamy. It’s a beautiful dessert to serve. The seasonal fruit you serve it with will also alter the flavor. We love strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, or cherries.

What is goat cheese?

Goat cheese is a type of cheese made from goat’s milk. It has a soft, creamy texture and a slightly tangy taste. Some people find the taste of goat cheese to be milder and less salty than other types of cheese.

More Desserts You’ll Love

If you love this recipe, then you’ll love some of our most popular desserts:

The Best Buttermilk Cake

Homemade Brownies with Sour Cream Frosting

The Best Coconut Loaf Cake

Easy Cast Iron Peach Cake

Homemade Chocolate Cake

Also, try our goat cheese dip!

Figs on a cheesecake.

This really is the best cheesecake recipe! Let us know if you make this creamy goat cheese cheesecake by leaving a comment and review below. We love to hear your thoughts!

Cheesecake recipe with sour cream topping and figs with walnut

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Goat Cheese Cheesecake Recipe

One of the best cheesecake recipes made with cream cheese and goat cheese. It’s simple to make, has a very light goat cheese flavor, and it's intensely creamy and fluffy. It’s full of flavor and perfect for every season.
4.78 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
2 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 862kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, you can use a small food processor, blender or smash them in a ziplock bag to make the crumbs even
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter , melted

Goat Cheese Cheesecake Filling

  • 20 oz cream cheese, must be room temp
  • 8 oz goat cheese, must be room temp. Save 1 tbsp for sour cream topping if you want!
  • 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, or fresh vanilla bean paste

Sour Cream Topping

  • 6 oz sour cream
  • 1 tbsp goat cheese
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar

Optional Garnishes

  • 8 figs, fresh
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp Grand Marnier

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust

  • In a food processor, add whole the graham crackers and pulse until fine.
  • Add the crumbs, sugar, salt, and the melted butter in a bowl and mix together.
  • In a buttered, round springform pan (this is super important to use) press the mixture down in an even layer. No need to push up on the sides, just one even layer on the bottom of the pan.
  • Wrap the outside and bottom of the pan with tinfoil.
  • Bake the crust for 10 minutes in a 350-degree oven

Cheesecake Filling

  • Turn the oven to 325 degrees.
  • Beat the room temp. cream cheese and goat cheese on medium (about 4 mins) until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides and bottom. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom often so there are zero clumps of cheese in the mixture.
  • With the mixer running, add sugar and salt and continue to beat for another 4 mins.
  • Beat in the vanilla and add eggs one at a time, beating full after each addition.
  • Reduce speed to low and add heavy cream.
  • Pour the batter over the baked crust, leaving a little room at the top for the cheesecake to rise.
  • At this point, let do not scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl into the pan. You don't want any clumps or anything that wasn't fully mixed to go into the cheesecake. Allow what will naturally flow out of the bowl to go into the pan.
  • Place the foil-wrapped pan in a larger roasting pan and pour warm water around the edges, halfway up to the springform pan, kind of like when you’re baking a soufflé.
  • Bake for 1 hour, until the top of the cheesecake, is brown.
  • Turn the oven off, prop the door open with a wooden spoon and let the cheesecake sit in there for another hour.
  • Take it out and let it cool at room temperature, then place it in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Sour Cream Topping

  • In a small bowl, whisk ingredients together until smooth.
  • When the cheesecake is cooled, spread a layer of the topping over the cheesecake.

Figs + Walnut Topping

  • If you want to add figs to the top, slice them and toss with honey and Grand Marnier. Carefully place them over the top. Crumble walnuts over the top too.
  • You can also use fresh raspberries or strawberries with this recipe.

Notes

Make sure the cream cheese (and goat cheese in this recipe) are completely room temperature. This is SO important for texture. If you try and use one that is not room temp, soft and warm then you will have clumps of cheese in the cake.
If you can’t wait for it to become room temperature, add the cream cheese into a bowl and microwave it for 30 seconds until it’s warm. It MUST be soft.
Goat cheese is naturally softer, so just leave it out to get to soften to room temp.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl often. If you’re using an electric mixer, scrape the sides and the bottom with a spatula and then start the mixer again.
Once the batter is whipped and you’re ready to pour it over the graham cracker crust, this is when I will tell you not to scrape the bowl (I know, confusing!)
The reason for this is that you don’t want to scrape any of the unmixed cream cheese that might have gotten stuck on the bottom of the cake. So instead, just pour the batter that naturally falls out into the crust and that’s it.
Top this cheesecake with figs or seasonal berries like raspberries, blackberries or strawberries.
It’s hard to overbake a cheesecake, but easy to underbake. So when the top of the cheesecake is a very light brown, turn the oven off and prop the oven door open to let the cheesecake sit in the oven for another hour. 

Nutrition

Calories: 862kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 59g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Cholesterol: 244mg | Sodium: 789mg | Potassium: 322mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 2227IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 2mg
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Goat cheese cheesecake recipe.

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11 thoughts on “The Best Goat Cheese Cheesecake”

  1. 5 stars
    This is hands down the best cheesecake recipie I have ever made! It was so creamy and delicious! Very easy recipe and simply the best! Figs are not available right now so I made macerated strawberries in Cointreau, so good! Thanks for this gem and I will be making this from now on !

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    Picked a bowl of fresh figs and had to try this recipe…..amazing
    The only issue was the size of the springform pan was not listed so I went with a 9” and had to bake closer to 1 1/2 hours.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    I made this cheesecake and it was fantastic! I did alter the recipe slightly to make it keto friendly. The only substitutions I had to make was I traded allulose for the sugar and pecan flour for the Graham cracker. I also added the zest of one lemon to the filling and topped the cheesecake with fresh berries. I also omitted the cinnamon since I made it lemon berry. It was absolutely the best cheesecake I’ve ever had, keto or not. Thank you so much for this yummy recipe! I really wanted the figs! They look so beautiful but they’re not keto?

    Reply

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