Vanilla Bean Brown Butter Cheesecake

Rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful, this cheesecake combines nutty brown butter, real vanilla bean, a pecan cookie crust, and a soft whipped cream topping.

Ingredients

Brown Butter

• 1 cup butter

Crust

• 2 cups graham cracker, digestive, or Golden Oreo crumbs
• 1 cup ground pecans
• 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp browned butter
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

Cheesecake Filling

• 2 packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup brown butter, preferably with the browned bits
• 1/2 cup labneh or sour cream
• 1 cup brown sugar
• Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 large eggs

Whipped Cream Topping

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Brown the butter: Melt the butter over medium heat, then continue cooking until it foams, becomes fragrant, and golden-brown bits form on the bottom. Pour immediately into a heatproof bowl and let cool slightly.
2. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8- or 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper. Mix cookie crumbs, pecans, powdered sugar, and the browned butter. Press into the bottom and halfway up the sides. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
3. Make the filling: Beat cream cheese, brown sugar, salt, vanilla bean seeds, and 3–4 tablespoons of the reserved brown butter bits until smooth. Add sour cream and mix again. Add eggs and mix only until combined.
4. Bake: Pour filling into the cooled crust. Place the cheesecake pan inside a larger pan filled halfway with warm water. Bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until the center is set and the top looks slightly matte.
5. Turn off the oven, prop the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 30 minutes. Cool another 30 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
6. Whipped cream: Beat or process the heavy cream, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla until thick and scoopable. Spread over the chilled cheesecake before serving.

Result:

A rich, silky cheesecake with deep brown-butter flavor, warm vanilla, crunchy pecans, and a creamy topping