Coconut Cheesecake: This creamy, oven-baked cheesecake has a light coconut flavor that's sure to be a big hit at any gathering! Don't be intimidated, this coconut cheesecake is easier to make than you think!
To prepare the crust, mix the graham crackers and melted butter until a wet, sandy mixture forms. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 10-inch spring form pan.
In the bowl of a stand mixer or using an electric mixer and a large bowl, whip the cream cheese until smooth.
Once whipped, add the eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and corn starch and mix the ingredients until they are homogenous and the mixture is smooth.
Pour the mixture into the springform pan and place the pan on a rimmed cookie sheet.
Pour 1 ½ cups of water into the cookie sheet and bake the cheesecake for 55-60 minutes, or until the middle of the cheesecake is set.
Allow the cheesecake to cool in the fridge. Once it's completely cool, release the cake from the sides of the springform pan, add whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes to the top of the cheesecake (or serve as is) and enjoy!
Notes
Cheesecakes can be a bit temperamental, but here are a few tips that should help you be successful.
Room Temperature: Room temperature cream cheese is easier to mix smoothly!
Mix Well: It is important to mix the cheesecake mixture until it is smooth, otherwise the cake will look gritty and chunky when you cut into it.
Water Bath: Baking the cheesecake in a water bath helps to prevent the cheesecake from cracking while it bakes.
Use a Springform: A springform pan helps your cheesecake cook evenly (and lets you release it from the pan so you can cut and serve it nicely).
Add Cornstarch: This helps everything come together smoothly.
Oven Temperature: Make sure your oven temperature stays consistent (this means no opening the oven door to peek)!
Don't Over Bake: When checking to see if the cheesecake is finished cooking, you are looking for just the middle 2 inches or so of the cake to be jiggly. You can also check the internal temp of the cheesecake and see if it is 150 degrees Fahrenheit.