Alternative to graham crackers for cheesecake?

[commodore]

I don't know what graham crackers are here (I don't live in the US). Can I make the base of cheesecake out of another ingredient? Can I just make it from dough like with most cakes?

[RouxTheDay]

Graham crackers are a sweet cracker (biscuit) that more closely resemble a cookie than a cracker, at least in flavor and usage.

Cheesecake does not necessarily have a crust. But if you want one, uou can substitute any crushed crisp cookie for the graham cracker in making your cheesecake crust (e.g., shortbread, chocolate or vanilla wafers, gingersnaps, etc.). I've frequently seen recipes calling for amaretti, and I think biscotti would probably work really well, too.


I've also had nut-based crusts on cheesecakes (crushed hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, etc.) which were quite delicious.

There are some cheesecakes that call for a pastry crust, but it doesn't sound very appealing to me. Of course, I've never had one, so I could be wrong!

[phatch]

Vanilla wafers, gingersnaps as mentioned. Animal crackers work well too.

[Suzanne]

Graham crackers are digestive biscuits.

Graham crackers usually come in large squares that have a perforation to break them into two rectangles. If your recipe calls for a specific number of graham crackers, the conversion is 15 graham cracker squares or 30 oblong crackers make 1 cup (250 ml) fine crumbs. The standard weight conversion is 66 graham crackers to the pound, so 1 cup/250 ml should be about 100 mg.

Roux is right, though -- you can use crumbs of just about any kind of cookie/biscuit, or nuts, or a mixture of the two. If you have some other kind you want to use, go for it! Use the conversion above.

[ChefRAZ]

you can make the crust with a cookie dough, I've used chocolate chocolate chip.also I]ve seen cake layers being used for the crust.

[lentil]

We use the cut off edges from lemon squares and brownies- but don't add any extra sugar or butter.My favorite is the lemon! Bake lightly before adding cheesecake filling. Biscotti work well too.

[bughut]

In the UK the equivilent for graham crackers is digestive biscuits.
They're not as fab for smores though, but then, when do we ever have the weather for a bbq in Scotland anyway. Bah humbug!!

[siduri]

Yes, digestive biscuits are the closest. But you can use other stuff, and you can also make a brisee crust. I have a recipe in a time-life cookbook for the Lindy's cheesecake that has a brisee crust - i believe that the crumb crust was invented for home cooks to make it easier.
where do you live?

[shipscook]

I personally do not care for graham crackers. I usually do a shortbread type, like the crust for lemon bars. Put it on a cookie sheet and bake till light brown, watch carefully can go to dark brown in a few seconds it seems.
I let it cool off and then put in baggie and crush with rolling pin or if in a hurry, use food processor.
Like the above post, brownie edges make great crusts too. I use that for peanut butter pie and fudge mable cheesecake.
Enjoy,
Nan

[commodore]

Wow what a nice forum! So many answers. Thank you people. I live in Estonia by the way.