Cheesecake Factory’s salted caramel cheesecake is a rich and decadent dessert featuring a sweet and salty interplay of flavors. It starts with a toasted pecan crust topped with creamy cheesecake swirled with ribbons of caramel and finished with a layer of chocolate ganache, caramel drizzle, and sea salt flakes. The combination of the salty caramel and sweet cheesecake makes this dessert a customer favorite.
But what exactly goes into making this indulgent cheesecake? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that give this dessert its signature taste and texture.
Crust Ingredients
The crust provides the foundation for any cheesecake. For their salted caramel cheesecake, Cheesecake Factory uses a toasted pecan crust. The main ingredients are:
- Pecans – Chopped pecans are toasted to enhance their nutty flavor before being processed into a crust.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar helps bind the crust together and provides sweetness.
- Butter – Melted butter or margarine provides richness and moisture.
- Salt – A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness.
- Graham cracker crumbs – Crushed graham crackers add flavor and texture.
These ingredients are combined, pressed into the bottom of a springform pan, and baked until set. The result is a crunchy, nutty crust with a hint of butter and salt.
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients
The star of the show is the decadent cheesecake filling swirled with ribbons of salted caramel. The main components are:
- Cream cheese – The base of any cheesecake is cream cheese. Philadelphia brand cream cheese provides the tangy, creamy flavor.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar and/or confectioners’ sugar sweetens the filling.
- Eggs – Eggs provide structure and the signature smooth, creamy texture.
- Sour cream – Sour cream adds a tangy flavor and moisture.
- Vanilla – Vanilla extract enhances the cream cheese flavor.
- Flour – A small amount of flour or cornstarch prevents the filling from curdling.
- Salt – A pinch of salt balances the sweetness.
- Salted caramel – Store-bought or homemade salted caramel is swirled throughout for contrasting sweet and salty flavors.
These ingredients are blended until smooth before being poured over the crust and baked. The salted caramel swirl marbleizes the filling with ribbons of caramel flavor and texture.
Topping Ingredients
The finishing touches take the cheesecake to the next level:
- Chocolate ganache – Dark chocolate and heavy cream are blended to create a rich, fudgy ganache.
- Caramel drizzle – More melted caramel is drizzled over the top for extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Sea salt flakes – Lightly sprinkled sea salt provides texture and a salty contrast to the sweetness.
The ganache adds a layer of chocolate luxury while the drizzle and salt flakes enhance the salted caramel experience.
Complete Ingredient List
To summarize, here is the full list of ingredients that go into a Cheesecake Factory salted caramel cheesecake:
Crust
- Chopped pecans
- Granulated sugar
- Butter or margarine
- Salt
- Graham cracker crumbs
Cheesecake Filling
- Cream cheese
- Granulated sugar
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Eggs
- Sour cream
- Vanilla extract
- Flour or cornstarch
- Salt
- Salted caramel
Toppings
- Chocolate ganache
- Caramel drizzle
- Sea salt flakes
This carefully balanced combination of flavors and textures produces the beloved salted caramel cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. Now that you know what goes into it, you can try recreating it at home!
Nutrition Information
While undeniably delicious, the Cheesecake Factory’s salted caramel cheesecake is quite high in calories, fat, and sugar. Here is the nutrition information for one slice (based on 16 slices per cheesecake) according to The Cheesecake Factory’s website:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 790 |
| Total Fat | 45g |
| Saturated Fat | 28g |
| Trans Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 175mg |
| Sodium | 540mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 82g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 57g |
| Protein | 8g |
As you can see, a single slice contains nearly 800 calories, 82g of carbohydrates, and 57g of sugar. It also provides nearly a full day’s worth of saturated fat and sodium.
While an occasional indulgence in a small slice is unlikely to cause harm, it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Those looking to make a lower calorie version could experiment with low-fat cream cheese, less caramel, and other ingredient swaps.
Cost Breakdown
In addition to being indulgent, the Cheesecake Factory’s salted caramel cheesecake comes at a premium price. Here is a cost breakdown for a whole 9-inch cheesecake with 16 slices:
| Ingredient | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese (3 packages) | $12 |
| Pecans | $4 |
| Sugar | $1 |
| Butter | $2 |
| Eggs (6-8 eggs) | $2 |
| Sour cream | $2 |
| Vanilla | $1 |
| Graham crackers | $1 |
| Chocolate | $2 |
| Heavy cream | $2 |
| Caramel sauce | $4 |
| Sea salt | $1 |
| Total | $34 |
The estimated cost to make it at home is around $34, or just over $2 per slice. Compare that to $8.95 per slice if dining at The Cheesecake Factory and you can save significant money by making it yourself! Granted, recreating the exact flavors and presentation takes some skill and effort.
Storage and Shelf Life
A cheesecake this rich and decadent doesn’t last forever. Here are some tips on storing and maximizing the shelf life of leftover Cheesecake Factory salted caramel cheesecake:
- Refrigerate uneaten portions well wrapped in plastic wrap or under a cake dome. The ganache topping may start to “weep” or get soggy over time.
- Consume within 3-5 days for the best texture and flavor.
- Freeze slices individually wrapped in plastic wrap or waxed paper for 1-2 months.
- When freezing, wrap the whole cheesecake tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap and foil. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- The crust may get soggy over time. For best results, slice just before serving.
- Look for signs of mold growth, which can happen quickly with high-moisture cheesecake. Discard if any mold, off smells or textures develop.
With proper refrigeration, the cheesecake can keep for up to a week before quality starts to decline. Freezing extends its lifespan for a few months so slices can be enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Copycat Recipe
For those wanting to recreate the magic of Cheesecake Factory’s salted caramel cheesecake at home, here is a top-rated copycat recipe to try:
Crust
- 1 1⁄2 cups pecans, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
- 1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed into crumbs
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9 or 10-inch springform pan.
- In a food processor, pulse the pecans with the sugars until finely ground. Add melted butter and graham cracker crumbs. Pulse to combine.
- Press the crust mixture into the bottom and slightly up sides of prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes then let cool completely before filling.
Cheesecake Filling
- 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1⁄4 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
- Stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Sprinkle the flour over and mix just until incorporated. Do not overbeat.
- Pour cheesecake filling over crust. Drop spoonfuls of salted caramel (store bought or homemade) evenly over the top.
- Use a knife to swirl caramel through the batter creating a marbled effect.
- Bake at 325°F for 60-70 minutes until nearly set in center. Turn oven off and let cheesecake rest in oven another 30 minutes.
- Cool completely before topping with chocolate ganache and more caramel.
Chocolate Ganache Topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring cream just to a simmer. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips. Let sit 1 minute then whisk smooth.
- Let ganache cool and thicken slightly, about 20-30 minutes, before pouring over cheesecake.
- Drizzle with extra salted caramel and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Follow the instructions precisely including using high-quality ingredients. Chill the cheesecake for at least 6 hours before slicing and serving for best results. Enjoy this homemade version of the Cheesecake Factory favorite!
Conclusion
The Cheesecake Factory’s signature salted caramel cheesecake is a decadent dessert made from simple yet luxurious ingredients. A pecan crust, creamy cheesecake swirled with ribbons of caramel, chocolate ganache, and finishing touches of more caramel and sea salt deliver sweet and salty flavors in perfect harmony. With nearly 800 calories and high levels of fat and sugar per slice, it’s a treat best enjoyed occasionally. Recreating it at home gives you quality control over the ingredients along with significant cost savings. Store leftovers properly to maximize shelf life, and use a proven copycat recipe to capture the essence of this restaurant favorite. Satisfy your cheesecake craving at a fraction of the price with this salted caramel sensation made right in your own kitchen.