Junior’s Famous Cheesecake

  • Prep Time: 1 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • About This Recipe

    “When I orignally posted this back in Jan 2002, I said I had not tried this recipe because it looked like a lot of work.Flash forward to Easter 2007..I finally broke down and made this, and I was right, it is indeed, a lot of work.But it is so worth it.This tastes just like the Junior’s cheesecake I ordered off of QVC.I made it again last night for a co-workers birthday and brought it in…everyone was swooning and begging for the recipe!Next time I make this I will make the sponge cake layer a day ahead and just cover it tightly with tin foil and leave it out overnight.You do want to make this a day ahead before you plan to serve it as it’s best chilled for at least 8 hours.Enjoy!!!”

    Ingredients

    Sponge Cake Layer

  • 1/2 cupsifted cake flour
  • 1teaspoonbaking powder
  • 1pinchsalt
  • 3largeeggs, seperated
  • 1/3 cupsugar
  • 2tablespoonssugar
  • 1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
  • 3dropslemon extract
  • 3tablespoonsunsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 teaspooncream of tartar
  • Cream Cheese Filling

  • 4 (8ounce) packages cream cheese
  • 1 2/3 cupssugar
  • 1/4 cupcornstarch
  • 1tablespoonpure vanilla extract
  • 2largeeggs
  • 3/4 cupheavy whipping cream
  • Directions

  • Sponge cake: Preheat the oven to 350 F and generously butter a 9-inch springform pan.
  • Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt together ina medium sized bowl and set aside.
  • Beat the egg yolks together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high for 3 minutes.
  • Then, with the mixer still running, gradually add the 1/3 cup of sugar and continue beating until thick light-yellow ribbons form in the bowl, about 5 minutes more.
  • Beat in the vanilla and lemon extracts.
  • Sift the flour mixture over the batter and stir it in by hand until mo more white flecks appear.
  • Then blend in the butter.
  • In a clean bowl, using clean dry beaters, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high until frothy.
  • Gradually add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the whites should stand up in stiff peaks, but not be dry).
  • Stir about 1/3 cup of the whites into the batter, then gently fold in the remaining whites (don’t worry if a few white specks remain).
  • Gently spoon the batter into the pan.
  • Bake the cake just until the center of the cake springs back when lightly touched, only about 10 minutes (watch carefully!) Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack while you continue making the cheesecake filling.
  • Do not remove the cake from the pan.
  • Cream Cheese Filling—————.
  • Place one 8-ounce package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch in a large bowl.
  • Beat with an electric mixer on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, then beat in the remaining 3 packages of the cream cheese.
  • Increase the mixer speed to high and beat in the remaining 1 1/3 cups of the sugar, then beat in the vanilla.
  • Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating the batter well after each one.
  • Blend in heavy cream.
  • At this point mix the filling only until completely blended (just like they do at Junior’s) Be careful not to overmix the batter.
  • Gently spoon the cheese filling on top of the baked sponge cake layer.
  • Place the springform pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes about 1 inch up the side of the pan.
  • Bake the cheesecake until the center barely jiggles when you shake the pan, about 1 hour.
  • Cool the cake on a wire rack for 1 hour.
  • Then cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it’s completely cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Remove the sides of the springform pan.
  • Slide the cake off of the bottom of the pan onto a serving plate.
  • Or, if you wish, simply leave the cake on the removable bottom of the pan and place it on a serving plate.
  • Store any leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator.
  • Reviews

  • “Hey there. I just got an email that my Junior’s cheesecake recipe was just deleted off the site because there is a similar one listed….here it is.I am sad to see you have not made it yourself. I made this for Thanksgiving at my parents house last year.The only other dessert that was touched out of 8 desserts was the pumpkin pie and that was by me, I had to have a slice…everyone else ate the cheesecake.Everyone there begged me for the recipe.Imagine that, a gaggle of jewish grandmothers asking the 29 year old tattooed mechanic how to make a cheesecake.The most important part of this cheesecake is to let all the ingredients sit out to get to room temperature before you start.This is VERY IMPORTANT.Also, do not skip any ingredients if you do not have them (like cream of tartar)It may not seem important, but the recipe is exact and the instructions are very clear. I would recommend everyone go out and buy the Junior’s cookbook.”

  • “YAY Yooper!!! I lost my recipe for this cheesecake and instead of looking here first, I just made something different and was so disappointed in the outcome. Back to Junior’s for me! I’ve ordered Junior’s off of QVC twice, but since finding this recipe years ago, it’s been my go to favorite. I even sometimes use this filling as the base and then switch up the flavors a bit to make a berry swirl or caramel pecan. My family prefers a graham cracker crust, which essentially cuts the “work” in more than half. The BEST rich, creamy, smooth and delicious cheesecake I have ever made. Thanks again for posting Yooper!”

  • “I made this the other night for my husband, our oven didn’t cook it all the way in the hour it stated but when he got to the edge, he said it tasted just like Juniors. Next time I will do a graham cracker crust and leave it in longer. Overall best cheesecake I have ever had, plus my picky father-in-law had 3 pieces!”

  • “I love Junior’s so muchI hand carried a slice from Grand Central to California.I made the cheesecake with this recipe and compared to the real slice of Junior’s cheesecake I brought back.This recipe is close, but not exactly the same. The Junior’s cheesecake was slightly more tart/sour.I’m going to try to add a little bit of sour cream and see how that work.Also, the sponge cake crust on the Junior’s slice was ultra-thin.This recipe creates a very thick sponge cake layer, which I cut.I’ve made this twice–once with Philadelphia brand cream cheese and a second time with Trader Joe’s brand.Philadelphia brand tasted better.Despite not being exactly like the real thing, it’s pretty close and still better than 99% of the cheesecakes out there in my opinion.”

  • “My fiance is a New York born and raised Italian. I made this for his birthday (with a graham cracker crust (https://www.recipezaar.com/Graham-Cracker-Cheesecake-Crust-7537) instead of the spongecake due to our tastes.He has always raved about Junior’s and his grandmother’s cheesecake. After making this cheesecake, I am now the reigning cheesecake queen. Remember to bring all ingredients to room temperature before making, and follow all directions completely. (I am now making a second cake because the first one…disappeared!)”

  • “I’ve made this recipe several times, and it’s always fabulous.Although it’s alot of work, the sponge cake bottom *is* worth the effort – it’s very light and the texture complements the creamy cheese filling perfectly.I find the sponge cake rises a little too high for my taste, though, so I slice off about a 1/4 inch from the top before I add the cheese.This isn’t necessary, just my preference.”

  • “If you do not have the opportunity to go to Junors, this cheesecake is exactly the way a Juniors cheesecake is, dense and creamy. Follow these instructions to the letter and make sure your ingredients are room temp and you can replicate Juniors cheesecake. You can even do this with a graham cracker crust if desired (the bottom being the real work in this recipe) Good stuff! Now I don’t have to make a car trip to get to Flatbush and Dekalb Avenue! Thanks for the memories!”

  • “Growing up in Brooklyn this was the only cheesecake to eat.The very best.It freezes very well.”

  • “I have used this recipe on several occasions.My family loves it.My son begs me to make it and my brother in law once said while dining at Cheesecake Factory, “It’s good but it’s not Julia’s cheesecake good.””

  • “As my daughter would say.This cheesecake is AMAZE BALLS!It was awesome.Every time I visit NYC, Juniors is always on my list to visit.Now I can make this amazing cheesecake at home.I followed the recipe exactly and it came out perfect.It’s a keeper.”

  • “A friend gave me this recipe about 30 years ago.I’ve made it off and on over the years.Instead of the Sponge Cake Layer, I just do a simple Graham Cracker, sugar, butter crust.It’s a lovely super dense cheesecake.”

  • “Excellent recipe. Made it twice over the holidays and both times it was awesome. Served with slice strawberries marinated in black currant balsamic vinegar, whiskey and a little sugar. Received rave reviews!!”

  • “I, too, recommend getting Juniors cookbook. Everything I have cooked from it has turned out excellent and worth the time. There are more instructions for this recipe, such as the beating times for each addition, etc in the cookbook. This recipe far exceeds any Cheesecake factory cheesecake if followed correctly. Ideas I have used are- mixing a little pumpkin in with a little of the batter in a side dish and then incorporating it into the whole batter ( I use a ginger snap crust for this), or mashing some berries, patting out some of the juice and layering this in as well. Also, try mashing oreos to blend in (just a little) and using an oreo crust. I am very careful about any extra fluid. Today I am going to try a little key lime pie filling and see how it works/tastes. Good luck, you won’t be sorry for the time spent. Get the cookbook:)”

  • “not quite as good as Junior’s but pretty cose”

  • “This was great! A perfect cheesecake without any cracks! I do prefer the normal graham/oreo crusts though”

  • “Finally got around to using this recipe to make myself a cheesecake. It was FANTASTIC, the only change I did was I used plain whipping cream instead of heavy, and I used 1cup instead of 3/4cup.Used a coconut cookie base instead of the sponge cake.Again, fantastic recipe, looking for other versions like a berry swirl.”

  • “I stumbled upon one of the Junior’s cookbooks and remembered a lady at work who raved about Juniors cheesecake.I got the book, made the cheesecake for her birthday, and wrapped the book as a gift for her.I had to then buy the book online after tasting the cheesecake.I had to use a large cookie sheet to put water in and the springform pan barely fit, but everything seemed to work out OK.Amazing recipe!”

  • “I was watching Bobby Flay’s show “Throwdown” when they were talking about Junior’s Cheesecake. I jumped online to find the recipe and here it was. This recipe is PRECISE and makes a wonderfully delicious cheesecake. I also made a lower calorie, lower fat, lower sugar version of this for family and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Instead of sugar, I used the Splenda Blend and used all reduced fat ingredients. Turned out great and no one could tell it was a “diet” dessert.”

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