Instant Pot Vanilla Cheesecake

This creamy cheesecake comes together in a snap thanks to the help of your trusted food processor and an Instant Pot. Swap in 1 1/3 cups graham crackers or chocolate wafer cookie crumbs instead of using vanilla wafers for an easy variation.
Directions for: Instant Pot Vanilla Cheesecake

Ingredients

Cheesecake

35 vanilla wafer cookies (about 4.5 oz)

1 pinch kosher salt

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

24 oz cream cheese, at room temperature

cup granulated sugar

cup sour cream

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

3 large eggs, at room temperature

Fresh berries, for topping

Sour Cream Topping

1 cup sour cream

2 Tbsp confectioners' sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Cheesecake

1. Put the cookies and salt in a food processor and pulse until the cookies are broken down into fine crumbs. Add the butter and pulse until completely combined. (The texture will be similar to wet sand.) Press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 7-inch springform pan.

2. Wipe out the bowl of the food processor and add the cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract and eggs. Process until completely smooth, opening the lid and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Pour the mixture over the crust.

3. Tear off a large piece of aluminum foil, about 1 1/2-feet long, and put the cheesecake pan in the center. Wrap the foil around the pan, folding down the sides as needed so the top of the pan isn?t covered. Tear off a second piece of aluminum foil, about 2-feet long, and lay the foil in front of you with the longer side closest to you. Folding it toward you (the long way), fold the foil in half once then old once again to create a foil sling for your cheesecake.

4. Pour 2 cups water in to the bottom of the Instant Pot, insert the machine's trivet. Put the cheesecake pan in the center of the foil sling then pick up both sides of the sling and bring them up the sides of the pan. Carefully lower the pan onto the trivet. Fold down the foil sling as needed so that it fits in the pot but does not touch the cheesecake. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set top pressure cook on high for 35 minutes.

5. After the pressure cook cycle is complete, turn off the heat and let the steam release naturally for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, follow the manufacturer's guide for steam release and allow any residual steam to air out. Be careful of any remaining steam and unlock and remove the lid and carefully use the foil sling to lift out the cheesecake and set it over a cooling rack. Remove the foil from around the cake pan then use paper towels to blot off any excess liquid from the top and sides of the cheesecake. Use a small offset spatula or the tip of a paring knife to loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan. Allow to sit at room temperature until mostly cooled, about 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

6. Once set, remove the plastic wrap from the cheesecake and use a small offset spatula or the tip of a paring knife to again loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan. Remove the outer ring from the pan and set the cheesecake aside.

Sour Cream Topping

1. Combine the sour cream, confectioners? sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl and whisk until completely smooth. Spread on top of the cheesecake, leaving a small border around the edges of the cake. Top with your favorite berries.