Birthday Cheesecake

Total Time Prep: 40 min. Bake: 1-1/2 hours. + chilling
Yield 1 cheesecake
Test Kitchen Approved
Birthday cheesecake, with billowy whipped cream and a confetti of sprinkles, is as delicious as a layered birthday cake, but easier to make.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • FILLING:
  • 3 blocks (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3/4 cup sprinkles
  • TOPPING:
  • 1 cup whipped cream in a can
  • 1/4 cup sprinkles

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Wrap the bottom half of a 9-in. springform pan with 3 layers of aluminum foil, set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine graham crackers, sugar and melted butter. Press crumbs into the bottom of prepared pan and about 1 inch up the sides. Place on baking sheet, bake until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely.
  3. Increase oven temperature to 450°. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, 4-5 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium-low; add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, about 5 minutes. Beat in sour cream and extracts until smooth and fluffy, 1-2 minutes; fold in sprinkles. Pour filling over cooled crust. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
  4. Bake 15 minutes. Decrease oven temperature to 225°; bake until just set, about 1-1/4 hours. Turn oven off and open the oven door; let cheesecake sit 30 minutes, or until center is completely set. Remove from oven, refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled.
  5. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Remove rim from pan. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles before serving.

Nutrition Facts

16 pieces: 404 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.

Combining vanilla and almond extract in the filling gives this cheesecake that traditional birthday cake flavor; folding sprinkles right into the batter creates colorful confetti in each piece. Top with clouds of whipped cream and a shower of extra sprinkles. —Dan Ware, Milton, West Virginia
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC