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Vanilla Bean Brown Butter Cheesecake

A decadent dessert featuring the nutty richness of brown butter combined with sweet vanilla beans, resulting in a creamy cheesecake that is both simple to make and impressive to serve.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Sweet Treat
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, melted
Filling
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened Ensure it's at room temperature.
  • 1 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs At room temperature.
  • 1 whole vanilla bean Alternatively, use 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
  • 0.5 cups sour cream
  • 0.33 cups brown butter See instructions for browning.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir frequently until it turns a golden brown and you can smell a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Remove and let it cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add them to the mixture or add the vanilla extract. Mix in the sour cream and cooled brown butter until well combined.
Baking
  1. Pour the filling over the cooled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center slightly jiggles.
Chilling
  1. Allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature for one hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving (overnight is even better!).

Notes

Ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature for best results. Keep an eye on the butter while browning to avoid burning it. A water bath can be helpful for a creamier cheesecake.