New York Cheesecake

The First Cheesecake in Ancient Greece

Although New York Cheesecake is famous worldwide today, the first cheesecake in history dates back over 2,000 years to ancient Greece. Historians have discovered ancient cheese molds and writings by Athenaeus, a Greek author who recorded an early cheesecake recipe. This cheesecake was made from goat or sheep milk, wheat flour, and honey, baked at low heat and chilled in caves before serving.

Cheesecake in ancient Greece also held symbolic significance, being served to athletes during the first Olympic Games in 776 BC and used as a symbol of love in wedding ceremonies, where brides would share small pieces with the grooms friends.

Roman and European Adaptations of Cheesecake

When the Romans conquered Greece, they adapted the cheesecake recipe by adding eggs and more layers of cheese, as well as increasing the baking temperature to enhance aroma and texture. Cheesecake spread throughout Europe, especially England, where recipes were recorded in the 1390 cookbook The Forme of Cury.

Cheesecakes Journey to America and the Birth of New York Cheesecake
European settlers brought cheesecake recipes to America in the 16th century. The first American cheesecake shop opened in Philadelphia in 1730.

In 1872, William Lawrence, a dairy farmer, accidentally invented cream cheese while attempting to produce French Neufchâtel cheese. He marketed cream cheese under the Philadelphia brand, which later became a key ingredient in cheesecake.

Pivotal Moment in New York and the Rise of New York Cheesecake

In 1950, Juniors Cheesecake in Brooklyn, New York, developed a cheesecake recipe with a dense yet smooth texture, creamy and melt-in-the-mouth, made from cream cheese, eggs, sugar, cornstarch, and whipping cream. This recipe gained immense popularity and became synonymous with New York Cheesecake.

Global Popularity and Varieties of Cheesecake

The fame of New York Cheesecake spread worldwide, inspiring various cheesecake styles such as Spains Basque Burnt Cheesecake, Japans light and fluffy Japanese Cheesecake (soufflé style), Chicago Cheesecake, and many others.