Pay de Queso

5 from 48 votes

Pay de Queso is so creamy, rich, and smooth. It’s a simple Mexican cheesecake with a luxurious texture that’s simply to die for!

Prep Time15

Cook Time50

Total Time1 5

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: slices

Calories: 1084kcal

Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

1 ½ cups cookies (galletas maria, animal cookies, graham crackers)
½ cup walnuts (or pecans)
1 cup butter (or two sticks)
2 cups brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Filling:

16 ounces cream cheese (2 packages)
¾ cup sugar
2 tablespoon all purpose flour
¾ teaspoon vanilla
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 eggs

Instructions

For the Crust:

Blend all the crust ingredients.
Add to a springform pan.
Press down to create the crust all around the pan.
Set aside until ready to use.

For the Filling:

Add all the filling ingredients to a food processor or a blender.
Pour into the crust pan.

To Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Place the pan in the center of the oven.
Bake for 5 minutes.
Then immediately reduce the heat to 325 degrees F.
Continue cooking for 30 minutes.
Turn the heat off without opening the oven door.
Leave the pan inside the oven for 15 more minutes.
Remove from the oven.
Let cool for 20 minutes on the counter.
Place in the fridge for 1 hour minimum before slicing.
Slice and serve.

Notes

Slowly bring down the heat of the Pay de Queso before placing in the fridge, or it will sink in and crack.

Don’t open the oven door while it is baking.

Why is there no water bath?

This is not your traditional American cheesecake. Water baths help American cheesecakes from over baking and from cracking. Pay de Queso is creamier and is not as sweet as traditional American cheesecakes.

Nutrition