A Traditional New York Style Cheesecake Recipe, with a twist! A few ounces of Goat Cheese add a distinctive Tangy flavor to this Rich and Creamy Dessert Recipe, and a Crunchy Chocolate Cookie Crust and fruity Blackberry Topping take it to a whole new level! Plus tips on how to avoid a soggy crust.
Oh my gosh, am I ever excited to share this post with you today!
I have teamed up with over 60 other food bloggers to celebrate National Cheesecake Day!!! Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom so you can see the list of all the bloggers and all the fabulous cheesecake recipes! You’re sure to find at least a few to float your boat 😉
As soon as I was invited to participate, I knew I wanted to make something with goat cheese. I have made no secret about my love of all things goat. Remember this cajeta? <–It’s goat’s milk caramel and it’s seriously to die for. I just can’t get enough of the creamy, tangy stuff!
This cheesecake recipe is just as creamy, light, and rich as a traditional New York cheesecake, but with the addition of a few ounces of goat cheese. It’s not overwhelmingly goat-y, just a hint. Just enough to let you know that this cheesecake is a special cheesecake. 😉
One of the things I love so much about goat cheese is that it works so well in both savory and sweet dishes. To complement all the creamy goodness, I chose to top my cake with a quick blackberry compote. This is such a great time of year for berries and I wanted to be sure to get at least one or two good blackberry recipes on the blog while they last!
Now here is where I might lose some of you, if I haven’t already with all the goat talk: Sage. Blackberries and sage are a match made in heaven. It only takes one little sage leaf (keep it subtle) to bring this topping to a whole different level! All together, the flavors of goat cheese, blackberries, and sage, along with this chocolate-y cookie crust… it’s like, cue the choir of angels!
Speaking about crust, I used Famous Wafers here but you could also use crushed up Oreos or Oreo crumbs, if you can find them. If all else fails, my dark chocolate graham cracker recipe would be perfection!
After years of struggling with a soggy cheesecake crust (from baking in a springform pan in a waterbath= #leakymess) I finally threw in the towel and decided to just use a regular cake pan. This cheesecake bakes up at a petite 8 inches in diameter and 1 1/2 inches high (sans blackberry topping). Here are a few tips to ensure that your cheesecake comes out in one piece, with a nice crunchy crust:
- Spray the pan with baking spray.
- Line the pan with a circle cut from parchment paper.
- Allow the baked cheesecake to chill overnight in the fridge before turning it out of the pan.
- Run a thin knife around the perimeter, to loosen.
- Warm the outside of the pan with a hot, damp kitchen towel.
- Flip it upside-down onto a plate.
- Flip it right side up onto a serving platter.
I had no issues whatsoever. But, if you’re a nervous Nellie, go ahead and use a 9-inch springform pan, just be sure to double the recipe 😉
Blackberry Goat Cheese Cheesecake
A Traditional New York Style Cheesecake Recipe, with a twist! A few ounces of Goat Cheese add a distinctive Tangy flavor to this Rich and Creamy Dessert Recipe, and a Crunchy Chocolate Cookie Crust and fruity Blackberry Topping take it to a whole new level!
Ingredients:
- ½ (9-ounce) package Famous Wafers (about 2 dozen wafers)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 6 ounces softened goat cheese
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 18 ounces (3 small baskets, or about 3½ cups) fresh blackberries, divided
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 fresh sage leaf
- juice of half a lemon
Directions:
- Place the Famous Wafers in the bowl of a food processor and process finely.
- Add the melted butter, brown sugar, cocoa, and salt, and process until well mixed.
- Finely mist an 8-inch diameter cake pan with non-stick spray, and line the pan with a circle of parchment.
- Press the cookie crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the cream cheese and goat cheese in a large mixing bowl, and beat until creamy. Add in the sugar and whip until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula after each addition. Add the sour cream and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, and mix once again to be sure the batter is not lumpy.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and place into a larger baking dish. Place in the oven and fill the larger dish with about an inch of water. Bake for 45 minutes or until set in the middle.
- Leave the baked cheesecake in the oven, oven door propped open with a wooden spoon, for about an hour or until the cheesecake is completely cooled. Refrigerate overnight before removing from the pan.
- Place 1 cup of the blackberries in a small pot with the sugar, water, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmering and cook for about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Mash the berries, add the sage, and allow to steep until slightly cooled.
- Remove the sage leaf and stir in the lemon juice. Pour the mixture over the remaining berries and toss to coat. Spoon the compote over the cheesecake.
Now if that wasn’t enough to get your mouth watering, check out this amazing list of fabulous cheesecake recipes:
Baked Cheesecakes:
- Apricot ricotta cheesecake from Diethood
- Blackberry Goat Cheese Cheesecake from Baking a Moment
- Blueberry Ricotta Cream Cheesecake from Hungry Couple
- Caramel Macchiato Cheesecake from Wishes and Dishes
- Chocolate Cheesecake w/ Whisky Toffee Shards from girlichef
- Chocolate chip cookie mini cheesecake from My Sweet Zepol
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake from Savvy Eats
- Coconut Cheesecake with Macadamia Crust from All Day I Dream About Food
- Hawaiian Chantilly Layer Cheesecake from Wallflour Girl
- Hawaiian Mini Cheesecakes from Pint Sized Baker
- Key Lime Pie Cheesecake from Love and Confections
- Lemon Cheesecake from Shugary Sweets
- Lemon Ginger Panna Cotta Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce from Girl Versus Dough
- Lightened Up Apricot-Swirl Cheesecake from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Lilikoi Cheesecake with Macadamia Nut Shortbread Crust from Dieter’s Downfall
- Mango Cheesecake (vegan) from Jessiker Bakes
- Mini cheesecakes with a toasted coconut crust (gluten free) from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine
- Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes with Strawberry Balsamic Topping from Boulder Locavore
- Mom’s Cheesecake from Magnolia Days
- New York Style Cheesecake from URBAN BAKES
- Oreo Cheesecake (vegan) from Namely Marly
- Oreo Ripple Cheesecake from Overtime Cook
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Nutella Ganache Topping from The Redhead Baker
- Pumpkin Cheesecake from Lady Behind The Curtain
- Rainbow Cheesecake from In Katrina’s Kitchen
- Raspberry Cheesecake with Oreo Crust from Hip Foodie Mom
- Ricotta Cheesecake from French Press
- Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Snickers Cheesecake from Life, Love and Sugar
- Sugar cookie cheesecake from Munchkin Munchies
- Vanilla Bean Cheesecake from Wine & Glue
- Very Berry Cheesecake with Chocolate Oreo Crust from JavaCupcake
- White Chocolate Cheesecake with Macadamia Nuts and Caramel from Taste and Tell
- White Chocolate Frangelico Cheesecake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake from Will Cook For Smiles
No Bake Cheesecakes:
- Berry Cheesecake from Food Lust People Love
- Blackberry Cheesecake from You Made That?
- Butter Pecan Caramel Mini Cheesecakes from Simply Southern Baking
- Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Dulce de Leche Cheesecake with Caramelized Peaches from The Food Charlatan
- Limoncello Cheesecake from Cake Duchess
- Mini Lime Cheesecakes from Miss in the Kitchen
- Neopolitan Cheesecake from Grandbaby Cakes
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake from White Lights on Wednesday
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- S’mores Cheesecake from The Gunny Sack
Cheesecake Beverages:
- Black Raspberry Cheesecake Milkshake from Blahnik Baker
- Caramel Cheesecake Martini from Happy Food, Healthy Life
Cheesecake Cookies and Bars:
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars from Cooking with Jax
- Caramel Overload Cheesecake Bars from Crumbs and Chaos
- Cherry Cheesecake Brownies from Inside BruCrew Life
- Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Cookies from Lemons for Lulu
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars from Chez CateyLou
- Healthier Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie Bars from Texanerin Baking
- Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars from Cooking In Stilettos
- No Bake Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars from Beyond Frosting
- No Bake Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars from Garnish with Lemon
- Pear cheesecake with gingersnap crust from Roxana’s Home Baking
- Strawberry Chocolate Ganache Cheesecake Bars from A Kitchen Addiction
Cheesecake Desserts and Treats:
- Banana Foster No Bake Cheesecake Shooters from Mind Over Batter
- Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
- Chocolate Nutella Cheesecake Cake from gotta get baked
- Key Lime Trifles from Hoosier Homemade
- Strawberry Cheesecake Pots from Barbara Bakes
- Triple Brigadeiro Cheesecake Tart from From Brazil To You
Frozen Cheesecakes and Treats:
- Blackberry Cheesecake Popsicles from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake Ice Cream from Chocolate Moosey
- Frozen PB&C Cheesecake from Noshing With The Nolands
- Frozen Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Nutter Butter Crust from Crazy for Crust
Can you even?!?
I’ll be talking to you again on Friday; my good friend and blog designer Lisa from Sweet2Eat Baking was kind enough to create a lovely guest post for me, while I scramble to get caught up again after my whirlwind travel tour last week. You guys are going to love what she made for us!
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I love goat cheese anything and have made a goat cheese before, but you totally got me at sage and blackberry! Sounds so amazingly good!
Thanks for joining us, Allie!
Aw, thank you so much Roxana for inviting me! I had so much fun with this and I can’t wait to start drooling over all the fabulous cheesecake creations. You’ve done an amazing job organizing! Thanks for stopping by and for the sweet comment <3
This cheesecake looks absolutely amazing! The blackberries on top…. to die for!
Thank you so much, Betsy! Blackberries are just so beautiful- you don’t have to do much to them, you know? Thanks so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment 🙂
That is seriously one beautiful cheesecake my dear!
Thank you Jocelyn! That means so much coming from you; everything you make is gorgeous!!!
This is stunning!! I love the photos!!
Thank you so much, Aimee! I had so much fun with it. So happy to be a part!
I’m getting ready to make something with blackberries and cream cheese today. So what an inspiration here Allie!
Gorgeous. Don’t even know if I could slice into that beauty! 🙂
Have a great day!
Thank you Melanie! I couldn’t slice into it fast enough. I had one piece and it was tdf! Had to give it away immediately or face the consequences 😉
OK that is just GORGEOUS!! The flavors are amazing, the pictures are stunning and I just want to faceplant! The end 🙂
Lol thank you!!! I had to get it out of my house asap before my face got into it ;P
Allie, this looks like everything good in the world! What a perfect combination of flavors. And, girl, you own GIFs!
Thanks sweetie, but I don’t think I will own gifs until I get photoshop instead of relying on this ghetto app I’m using that makes everything grainy and dark. Lol! It’s probably about time I get off the pot and just go for it!
Seriously impressive. I love that you baked it in a cake pan. I’ve pretty much thrown in the towel with big cheesecakes and stick to muffin pan size, but maybe I’ll try again. My issue wasn’t so much the crust as always getting a crack in the middle of the cake… even with water baths, etc.
This is such a beautiful cake and I love the flavor combo. Pinned!
Thank you Jill! I don’t know how I managed to avoid the dreaded cracked cheesecake- just got lucky I guess ;P But that’s what berries are for anyhow, right? Thanks so much for pinning my dear!
I would LOVE to try the goat cheese in this. Yum.
Oh, I really love it, Carolyn! So delish with the berries… Thank you so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment! I’m having a blast meeting so many awesome bloggers through this fun event!
Your cheesecake is gorgeous and looks so luscious! Love the animation!
I’ve made a goat cheese cheesecake before, and I was pleasantly surprised at its deliciousness. Now topping with blackberries makes it even better! Another stunning dessert, Allie!
Aw, thanks Liz! Goat cheese and berries is like, the ultimate for me. Hope you’re having a great week 😀
Simply stunning! I love your cheesecake!!
Thanks Katrina! I’m so happy you stopped by; thank you so much for the sweet comment 🙂
I pretty much love anything goat cheese, and this cake looks perfect! not sure I’m as confident as you, but I my just give this one a try
Oh I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only goat-cheese lover! I find it totally irresistible, especially with berries. Thanks so much for stopping by Heather, and for the sweet comment!
Oh brother, that has me drooling!!
Lol thanks Tara! So glad you dropped by and thanks so much for the great feedback!
Lovely! I bet the goat cheese + blackberries go really well together here!
Oh yes! They are wonderful together… Thank you so much Julie! Happy Cheesecake Day 😉
Oh my, goat cheese lover at heart! Swooning over this!
Yay I’m so glad! I was a little worried that some people would find it too weird, so thank you! I’m really happy you like it. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment, Lisa!
Wow, Allie, this cheesecake is stunning! Seriously gorgeous! And I love the flavors you used – so unique and interesting. Great tips on the crust too – I still haven’t made a real cheesecake so I will definitely need all the help I can get when I make my first attempt! Happy Cheesecake Day!
Happy Cheesecake Day, sweetie! Thank you so much for the sweet comment and I hope my tips are helpful when you try your hand at your own 😉
Yup, I think I’m going to bake my cheesecakes in a cake pan from now on too. No matter how tightly I wrap the cheesecake pan, water from the water bath ALWAYS seeps in. This is gorgeous, Allie. Absolutely stunning. I’m not a fan of goat cheese (gasp, faint – I know!) but your cheesecake looks perfect. I love the big delicious pile of ripe blackberries on top.
It’s ok Nancy- I knew that goat cheese would probably be polarizing 😉 But you’re so sweet anyway, and yes- the foil trick is completely useless! I’m so over it.
This cheesecake could not be more gorgeous! I actually have blackberry cheesecake on my to bake list, and now seeing your pictures, I want to move it to the top! Pinned!
Thank you so much Lisa you are so sweet! I really think the blackberries made the whole dish. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoyed mine! And thank you for pinning 😉
That looks gorgeous! I bet blackberries and goat cheese taste amazing together!
Oh, they really do, Coleen! You should definitely give it a try 😉 Thank you so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment!
Goodness Allie, this looks marvelous! Happy Cheesecake Day! 😀
xo,
Tammy<3
Happy Cheesecake Day Tammy! And thank you so much 😉
Whenever I see sweets with herbs and spices in them, I know I am going to love it. This cheesecake is the real deal, Allie! I love your tips for keeping the cheesecake from getting soggy, too! The goat cheese with sage/blackberry compote would be a fantastic flavor combo for a cheese plate too. I’ll have to keep that in mind!
Oh ya, great idea Nora! And I am the same way- I know it’s a little weird for some but I get off on those kinds of combos. And besides it’s really all pretty subtle anyway 😉
Oh, my double goodness, Allie! Goat cheese is an absolute favorite in our house for sweet OR savory but I’ve never thought to use it in cheesecake. You are a genius!
Wow thanks so much Stacy! I’m so glad to hear that you like goat cheese because I am totally in love with it. It was awesome in this cheesecake, but I really can’t take too much credit because the filling recipe was by Ann Burrell. Girlfriend knows what’s up! Anyways thank you so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment!
gorgeously stunning. . as always!!! love this, Allie!
Thank you so much dear! Hope you have safe travels home <3
Cheesecake is my favorite food ever, and this day is the best day ever except that I didn’t know how to participate with y’all! I’m just drooling over my computer instead. I hope to be a part next year, and love this recipe!!
Oh ya definitely try to join up with us next year, if Roxana decides to organize it again! Do you know Roxana? Her blog is Roxana’s Home Baking- it’s awesome! Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Shikha; I’m so glad you’re enjoying Cheesecake Day!
Stunning! This is such a brilliant cheesecake. I love the goat cheese and blackberry combination.
Thank you so much Mallory! I loved it too, lol! Happy Cheesecake Day sweetie 😀
This sounds like a very interesting cheesecake!! I must try it!
Thank you Lyuba! The goat and sage flavors were extremely subtle- but I really thought it gave it something special. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for the sweet comment 😀
Absolutely breathtaking!! I love EVERYTHING about this 🙂
Aw, thank you so much Becca! You are too sweet; I’m so happy you stopped by 😀
Wow! This cheesecake is truly a stunner! Blackberries and sage – Amazing!! Great tips on preventing a soggy crust.
Thank you so much Mind Over Batter! And ya I am so over the leaky springform pan thing. Even with foil it never works right for me. This was way better, lol! Thanks so much for dropping by and Happy Cheesecake Day!
What a gorgeous and mouthwatering cheesecake — made from goat cheese, a real fave of mine.
Oh I’m so glad to hear it! I was a little nervous that the goat cheese wouldn’t be most people’s taste. It’s a fave of mine too and especially with berries! Thanks so much for dropping by, Denise, and for the sweet comment too 😉
This is geni-fabu-awesome-lous, Allie! Goat cheese sounds like a fantastic winner in my book. So glad to be celebrating cheesecake day with you today!
Thank you so much!! And same here 😉
I seriously gawked at this when I first saw it yesterday. This is amazingly beautiful and it looks so juicy too (is that kinda weird that I said that). Whatevs. It’s great Allie. Bravo!!
Not weird at all, lol! It was really juicy 😉 Thanks so much for the sweet compliment, Connie 😀
Wow! What a stunning presentation! Love the blackberries piled on top!
Thanks Maebells! When it comes to berries, more is more, IMHO 😉 So happy you enjoyed, thanks for stopping by and for the sweet comment!
What a gorgeous Cheesecake!! goats cheese in a cheesecake is just genius… love the pictures too Allie!! 🙂
Thanks Arpita! I was playing around with backlighting and I was pretty happy with the way it worked in this instance 😉 I’m so glad you liked it too! Have a great weekend ok?
Ooooo I love that you used goat cheese in here! I keep meaning to use it in desserts but just never remember! And with the blackberries … this looks awesome Allie!
Thanks Ashley! I was afraid that some people might think it sounded weird but it was so good! Very subtle but just different enough 😉 I’m so happy you liked it! Have a great weekend, my dear!
Fantastic cheesecake, I love that your made it using some goat cheese and then the sage in the compote is nice too, great photos!
Thanks so much Suzanne! I had a lot of fun with it! It was such a fun idea to get so many fabulous bloggers together for this event 😉
I can’t even put into words how amazing this cheesecake looks and sounds. Goat cheese AND blackberries..YUM! Goat cheese cheesecake is just a fantastic idea. Actually, goat cheese in ANYTHING is fantastic. Pinned!
I couldn’t agree more, Shaina! I am a huge fan of goat cheese- I just can’t get enough of the stuff, on crackers, in salads, and even in my cheesecake! Thank you so much for the sweet comment; I had such a blast celebrating cheesecake day with all of you fabulous bloggers 😉
I’m loving the sage and blackberries’ combination Allie! This cheesecake looks ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUSSSSSS!!!!! I’ve never really eaten goat’s cheese before but I love cheese in general so I know I’m going to be enjoying this cheesecake A LOT!!!!! <3
Thank you Samina! I think you will really love it- that tangy creaminess is so nice with the sweet and juicy berries 😀
Oh Allie, this cheesecake is absolutely gorgeous! The goat cheese is such a creative and nice touch and it sounds amazing with the blackberries and sage 🙂 So tasty and elegant – pinning 🙂
Aw thank you so much Kelly! I’m so happy you liked it and thanks for the pin too! Hope you’re having a fun and relaxing weekend with your beautiful family 😉
I love the addition of goat cheese Allie – so smart! And I totally want to try this in a cake pan – I bet it’s tons easier 🙂 Pinned!
Thanks Trish! I definitely thought it was easier. No matter how much foil I use, I can never get those springforms to not leak!
First of all, that photo belongs in a frame up on the wall because it’s stunning. Second, this is so happening in my kitchen ASAP because I’m obsessed with goat cheese and with adding herbs to fruit. Love, love, love!
Yay! Thank you so much Anita! We are two of a kind- I’m exactly the same way. Goat cheese and herbs in fruit! Thanks so much for stopping by dear, and for the sweet comment 😀
WOW. I am so impressed with this cheesecake! I think the goat cheese, sage, and blackberry combo is so creative and sounds delicious!
Thank you so much Mary Frances! I absolutely loved the flavors and it was just different enough, without being weird ;P
GOATS CHEESE IN A CHEESECAKE?! Girl, you crazy but genius!! Why did I never think of this before?! Ahhh drool!! My 2 favourite ever things in ONE tin D: Looks incredible Allie!
Thank you Tashiana! Why not, right? So glad you liked 😉
Goat cheese is one of my favorite cheeses ever, yet I don’t think I’ve made a cheesecake with it. Can’t wait to get my hand on some fresh berries and try this.
Thanks Carla! I feel the same way about goat cheese- it’s one of my absolute favorites! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment 😀
What a stunning dessert! I love fresh blackberries, and you sure hit it right out of the ballpark!
Gee thanks Holly! It was a winner with the hubby and I- and I ended up giving most of it away to my mom to bring to her office. It got rave reviews! I’m so happy you liked it- thanks so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment! 😀
This cheesecake looks phenomenal! I love the berries on top!
Thanks Terri! The berries were my favorite part 😉
Don’t think about trying this recipe, JUST DO IT!
Amazing recipe and not that hard to make. Was a big hit. Modified it to include less sugar (only used brown sugar) and it still tasted great.
Allie, you are an expert and will gladly try another recipe from your site!
You just made my whole day! Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for the awesome feedback. I really appreciate your taking the time to pop back over and comment- and I’m sure other readers will too! I can’t thank you enough 🙂