Vanilla Bean Instant Pot Cheesecake
This Vanilla Bean Instant Pot Cheesecake is the creamiest cheesecake ever! The IP envelopes the cheesecake in steam for a luscious result!
I was shocked by my first taste of this instant pot dessert. Cooked under pressure, in a humid environment, I was certain the crust would be wet and unappealing. But much to my delight, the crust was perfect and the cheesecake was ultra-smooth and creamy!
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Why You Should Make an Instant Pot Cheesecake
Being without a kitchen (and dishwasher!) has pushed me to think outside the box. AND to take my Instant Pot out of its box. I dusted off my smallest springform pan and got to work on this vanilla bean instant pot cheesecake.
- A cheesecake cooked in a pressure cooker results in the silkiest cheesecake my family and I have ever tasted!
- It’s only 6 inches in diameter, which is the perfect size to alleviate your cravings without feeling like you’ve overindulged. Your coronary arteries may be breathing a sigh of relief.
- If your oven is busy or you don’t want to heat up your kitchen, using an instant pot is a great solution.
- The texture of this instant pot cheesecake was noticeably denser and silkier than any cheesecake of late that’s come from my kitchen. And I’ve made a LOT of delicious cheesecakes!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Besides shortening the cooking time, an Instant Pot also steams the cheesecake resulting in a super moist, creamy dessert. The texture of this pressure cooker cheesecake was noticeably denser and silkier than any cheesecake of late that’s come from my kitchen. And I’ve made a LOT of delicious cheesecakes!!!
An instant pot surrounds the cheesecake with moisture or steam as it cooks. In the small confined space of a pressure cooker, none of the steam can escape so the cheesecake stays super moist.
Springform pans are known to leak on occasion, so wrapping the bottom in a layer of aluminum foil provides another safeguard to prevent water from leaking into the crust.
It depends on the size of your Instant Pot. I used a 6-inch springform pan as it fit into my pressure cooker. That’s what this recipe is based upon. If you use a bigger or smaller spring form pan, the cooking time will need to be adjusted.
Use a hot knife. Run your knife under hot water for a minute, dry it, then slice. Wipe it clean and reheat and dry as necessary.
Ingredient Notes:
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – either boxed crumbs or make your own with whole graham crackers ground in a food processor
- Butter – melted, I use salted
- Sugar – regular granulated sugar
- Cream Cheese – at room temperature for easier incorporation
- Vanilla Bean Paste (or vanilla extract) – vanilla bean pastes adds little specks of vanilla seeds, but it’s more expensive. An equal amount of real vanilla extract is a great substitute
- Eggs – at room temperature for easier incorporation. If you don’t get them out an hour or two before you want to start making the cheesecake, you can set them in a bowl of hot (not boiling) water to help them warm up quickly.
- Heavy Cream – Adds to the richness and moistness of the cheesecake
More Pressure Cooker Desserts You’ll Love:
- Pressure Cooker Chocolate Pots de Creme from Pressure Cooking Today
- Instant Pot Lime Cheesecake from Boulder Locavore
- 20 Instant Pot Cake Recipes from Living Locurto
- Instant Pot Dessert Recipes from Princess Pinky Girl
Plus More Delicious Cheesecake Recipes:
- Twix Cheesecake
- Ganache Topped Cheesecake
- Hot Fudge Brownie Cheesecake
- Boston Cream Pie Cheesecake
- Also, this Easy Chocolate Pudding Cake is perfect for dessert when time is tight!
- More Best Dessert Recipes
Helpful Tools (affiliate links):
- Instant Pot Long Handled Silicone Trivet — this is the perfect tool to help you lift the cheesecake out of the IP! Or create homemade sling out of foil.
- 6-inch Springform Pan
- Instant Pot
- Vanilla Bean Paste — use instead of vanilla extract (substitute in equal amounts) to get the iconic specks of vanilla in your desserts
The Recipe: Vanilla Bean Instant Pot Cheesecake
A small creamy cheesecake that may be the best you've ever tasted!
Ingredients
Crust:
- 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted (1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
Cheesecake:
- 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons cream
Instructions
Spray a 6-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Wrap the pan in a layer of aluminum foil and set aside.
If you don't own silicone IP sling (see link above), make a homemade version with foil (link to complete instructions above).
Combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in a small bowl. Press onto the bottom of the prepared pan and about an inch up the sides.
Beat the cream cheese with your mixer fit with a paddle attachment until smooth, then add sugar and vanilla bean paste and mix until combined.
Beat in eggs, one at a time just until incorporated, then mix in cream.
Scrape out the cheesecake filling into the springform pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
Add one cup of water to your Instant Pot, then place trivet in the bottom. Place your sling over the trivet, then set the cheesecake on top of the sling.
Seal your pressure cooker and set on high pressure for 25 minutes. When the timer goes off, allow the pressure to reduce naturally.
Carefully remove cheesecake from the instant pot to a cooling rack. Use a paper towel to dab any moisture that has accumulated on the surface. When cooled to room temperature, place in the refrigerator and chill overnight for the best results.
Notes
Timing will vary if you use a different size pan.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 331Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 274mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 6g
