Chicago is famous not only for its stunning architecture, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Chicago-style pizza but also for its cheesecake. Although New York City claims to have the best cheesecakes in the country, Chicago is quickly gaining that distinction.
Yes, Chicago is well-known for its cheesecakes. Chicago cheesecake is renowned for its creamy, velvety interior and firm exterior. It is one of the cities in the United States that is recognized for the production of cheesecakes that have a texture that is incredibly moist.
Chicago cheesecake has a reputation for having a firm exterior with a creamy and soft interior. There are numerous restaurants in Chicago where you may purchase cheesecake at a reasonable price. Continue reading this article to learn more about Chicago cheesecakes.
Chicago-Based Cheesecake Companies
Chicago boasts the best services for delighting your palette. They have some of the top restaurants and bakeries. Here are five fantastic spots in Chicago to get some delicious cheesecake.
Eli’s Cheesecake Company
Eli’s cheesecake business specializes in desserts and cheesecake. Their pastries are not restricted to Chicago; they provide delivery and shipping choices, so you may feel at home with their delectable cheesecakes even if you are far away from Chicago.
This bakery is a third-generation family business. On their cheesecake menu, you’ll find cheesecake dippers, gluten-free cheesecakes, samplers, original plain cheesecakes, plant-based cheesecakes, and other kinds of desserts.
Eli’s Cheesecake Company is located at 6701 W Forest Preserve Dr. Chicago, IL 60634. For more information, you can call (773) 205-3800.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed.
The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory, Inc. is a restaurant chain and cheesecake wholesaler located in the United States. The company operates 220 full-service restaurants, one of which is in Chicago.
This restaurant has a daily menu with over 40 legendary cheesecakes and desserts to choose from, including their ice cream delight, celebration cheesecakes, chocolate snickers cheesecakes, gluten-free cheesecakes, cinnamon swirl cheesecakes, red velvet cheesecakes, mango key lime cheesecakes, and so on. So you can be sure to have your cravings satisfied!
You’ll find The Cheesecake Factory at 875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
Opening Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Friday-Saturday: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery, best known for its cupcakes, began in 1996 as a small neighborhood bakery in New York’s charming West Village. It is now a worldwide phenomenon, partly due to its brief appearance in an episode of Sex and the City, but primarily because they are so tasty!
This bakery provides nationwide shipping, same-day delivery, advance pick-up orders, and even event catering services.
In addition to cheesecakes, they sell cookies, cupcakes, icebox desserts, gift cards, and other items. Magnolia Bakery is located at 108 N. State Street (block 37), Chicago, IL 60602.
They also have stores in California and New York. You can call (312) 346-7777 to find out more.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Friday-Saturday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Margie’s Candies
On Chicago’s north side, there are two well-known candy shops, Margie’s Candies. Each is a combination of a candy shop and a sit-down ice cream parlor, and they are all owned by the same family.
The more established of the two businesses has been running at the same address for more than nine decades and is regarded as a “Chicago legend.”
Their menu features a variety of options, including cheesecake, banana split sundaes, ice cream and waffles, pistachio, and strawberry shortcake, among others.
You’ll find Margie’s Candies at 1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States. Call 1 (773) 384-1035 for more information.
Opening Hours:
Sunday-Saturday: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.
JR’s Dessert Bakery
This bakery is a family-owned establishment that specializes in cheesecakes, specialty cakes, and pastries.
They serve both wholesale and retail customers, offering a wide variety of flavored cheesecakes and wholesales. On their menu, you’ll find red velvet cake, cheesecake, carrot cake, cupcakes, chocolate cake, and more.
JR Dessert Bakery can be found at 2841 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60645, USA. You can reach them by phone at +1 (773) 465-6733 for more information.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Sunday: Closed.
Fun Fact: The carrot cheesecake was created by the cheesecake factory in Chicago, which has an offshoot in Chicago.
The Difference Between Chicago Cheesecake And New York Cheesecake
Today, the main ingredients used to make cheesecakes are cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream (although other types of cheese may also be used, depending on the country). New York and Chicago are known for having the best cheesecakes.
Although the two cheesecakes may appear identical to the untrained eye, cheesecake experts can easily distinguish between them. New York cheesecake has a distinct texture due to the additional egg yolks added to the batter to create its renowned rich and creamy consistency.
To ensure even baking, the cheesecake is baked in a tall spring-form pan. Furthermore, the cake is baked at a high temperature before being baked at a low temperature to achieve a thicker center and a more browned exterior.
Most New York cheesecake crusts are made by pounding cracker cookies and combining them with butter and sugar.
In contrast, Chicago cheesecake is renowned for its creamy, velvety interior and firm exterior. The extra cream cheese in the batter gives the cake its creamy center. These cheesecakes are frequently made in a buttered cake pan.
Chicago cheesecakes have a fluffier texture and flavor. Typically, these cakes are made in separate batches, combined, and baked for about an hour before being cooled again.
The most common component of Chicago cheesecake crusts is crumbled shortbread combined with sugar, butter, and flavorings.
Below is a table comparing the differences between New York cheesecake and Chicago cheesecake.
| New York Cheesecake | Chicago Cheesecake | |
| Pan | Tall, springform pan. | A standard greased cake pan. |
| Density | It is denser. | It is soft and fluffy. |
| Texture | It has a rich and smooth texture. | The exterior is firm, but the interior is soft and creamy. |
| The Main Ingredients | Heavy cream, cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream. | Cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. |
| Baking | When baking, a high temperature is used at first, then lowered. Baked frequently without using a water bath temperature. | Cook the filling and crust separately, then combine them for an hour in the oven. |
| Crust | Shortbread or Graham cracker crust. | Primarily shortbread. |
| Major Difference | There are more egg yolks in the crust and the creamy center. | It contains a cream cheese center with extra cream cheese for a shortbread crust. |
Popular Dessert Places In Chicago
Other than the well-known cheesecake restaurants in Chicago, there are other places to enjoy a good meal or dessert. Other popular desserts in Chicago include chocolate cream pie, ice cream, and cupcakes. Here are three of Chicago’s most well-known spots for desserts.
BomboBar
Bombobar is a cute walk-up window. Fabio Viviani, the executive chef on Top Chef and a fan favorite, came up with the idea for Bombobar as a lighthearted parody of his famous bomboloni, a holeless Italian doughnut.
The ‘bombo’ story, as well as the closely guarded secret recipe, are at the heart of the concept name and identity. In addition to gelato and coffee, Bombobar has bomboloni with a variety of fillings or toppings.
Their menu features popular desserts such as doughnuts, house-made gelato, Bombobar bottled water, Oreo ice cream, banana split sundae, etc. There is also a drinks menu.
Bombobar is located at 823 W. Randolph Street, IL 60607, United States. Call (+1) 312-492-7775 for more information.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Friday: 11:30 am to 11:00 pm.
Saturday: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Sunday: 10: 00 am to 10: 00 pm.
Floriole Café And Bakery
Floriole serves some of Chicago’s best desserts, and they always try to use organic and local ingredients whenever possible.
We love this restaurant because the menu changes frequently to reflect the availability of ingredients. If you want some cake, their upside-down pineapple cake is one of the best desserts in Chicago.
You will find Floriole café and bakery at 1220 W Webster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614, United States. For more information, you can call +1 773-883-1313.
Opening Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed.
How To Make A Chicago Style Cheesecake At Home
The following is a step-by-step guide for making a cheesecake in the Chicago style at home.
Step 1: Gather All The Ingredients You Need
The first step in making your Chicago-style cheesecake is to prepare your baking ingredients. Prepare the cream cheese, sour cream, and butter at room temperature.
Step 2: Wrap The Pan
The following step is to wrap your cake pan in aluminium foil. This is done to retain moisture and make cleanup easier after baking. After that, preheat the oven with a tray of water.
Step 3: Combine The Ingredients
After preheating the oven, combine cheese and butter in a low-speed electric mixer until very smooth and creamy. Then add some sugar. Keep mixing until the texture is very smooth and creamy.
Return the egg mixture to a low volume and thoroughly combine the ingredients with a spatula as well as an electric mixer. Mix in the sour cream, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and sieved cornstarch gently.
Step 4: Pour The Mixture Into A Pan
Next, lightly fold the mixture with a spatula before transferring it to a cake pan. Tap the pan on the kitchen counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles.
Step Five: Bake The Mixture
Place the cake pan gently in the hot water tray and bake for an hour. Wait until the cake has cooled before eating it.
Ingredients Used
- Cream cheese
- Salted butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Sour cream
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
7 Tips And Tricks For Making A Delicious Cheesecake
Many people may find it difficult to learn how to make the perfect cheesecake, especially if they are unfamiliar with baking. Here are nine must-know tips and tricks for making the perfect cheesecake.
1. Always Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese
The key to this recipe is ensuring that your cheesecake is smooth and free of lumps. The cream cheese must be at room temperature, as too-firm cream cheese does not blend well and creates a clumpy mess.
If you are short on time, remove the cream cheese from its foil packaging, cut it into smaller pieces, and microwave it for about 15 seconds, or until softened.
In addition, common full-fat varieties produce the best cheesecakes with cream cheese. Because there are no fillers or other ingredients designed to replace fat, more fat equals more creamy food.
2. Use A Small Amount Of Flour Or Cornstarch
In cheesecake, a little flour makes a big difference. The starch prevents the egg proteins from over-coagulating, resulting in a creamier texture and less cracking. If you need a gluten-free substitute, cornstarch will also work. Reduce the cornstarch and flour proportions by half.
3. Don’t Mix The Batter Too Much Or Too Fast
When the batter is overmixed or mixed too quickly, additional air is incorporated. A cheesecake with too much air can crack in several ways. Large air bubbles that rise to the surface may cause surface cracks.
Adding air causes things to rise, but the cheesecake should not rise excessively; otherwise, it will fall and crack.
4. Use A Water Bath
This step is avoided by the majority of people, but trust us; it is well worth the few extra minutes it requires. There are several advantages to it. First, the water bath generates steam, which prevents the cheesecake from drying out and cracking.
Also, the cheesecake’s water bath prevents the sides from cooking faster than the center. It aids in uniform baking and prevents cracking.
5. Make Sure Your Water Bath Doesn’t Leak
It’s disappointing to have a soggy crust after all the effort of making a cheesecake. Although a spring pan is essential to a delicious cheesecake, it is also the least dependable pan. A spring pan is necessary for a delicious cheesecake, but it is also the least reliable pan ever.
6. Keep The Oven Door Closed!
If you open the oven while baking, you will lose all of the good, steamy air. Temperature fluctuations can cause the cheesecake to fall in the center or bake unevenly.
7. Make Sure You Don’t Overbake Your Cheesecake
Like with a custard pie, overbaking the cheesecake can result in cracks. When the cheesecake’s outer edges are well set and a few inches of the interior firm but jiggly, it has baked long enough..
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Dessert Did Chicago Create?
Only a few people are aware that one of the world’s most famous foods, chocolate brownies, was invented in Chicago.
2. Is Cheesecake A Traditional American Dessert?
Cheesecake is a popular dessert all over the world. While many people believe it began in New York, it actually dates back much further.
3. Who Introduced Cheesecake To The United States?
In the 1920s, Arnold Reuben, the founder of Reuben’s restaurant and delicatessen and Turf’s restaurant, introduced cheesecakes to America.
Final Words
In conclusion, Chicago is known for a lot of different things, and one of them is the famous Chicago-style cheesecake. If you’re in town, you should definitely try it out, or you can make it yourself at home using the recipe in this article.
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