Preheat and Prepare the Crust
Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
Place graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until you achieve fine crumbs.
In a bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and crumbs.
Add the melted butter and stir with a spatula until blended.
Press the mixture into an 8-inch cheesecake or 9-inch springform pan.
Bake for approximately 10 minutes.
Once finished, remove it from the oven and let it cool.
Prepare the Cheesecake Batter
Beat the cream cheese on medium speed for 3 minutes.
Add granulated sugar, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and salt, mixing everything well until fully combined.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again until smooth.
Pour one-third of the batter into the cooled crust.
Add one-third of the cinnamon filling and swirl it with a knife to create an appealing pattern.
Repeat with the remaining batter and cinnamon filling, spreading it evenly.
Water Bath and Baking Process
Wrap the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil to prevent water from entering during the water bath.
Place the pan into a larger roasting pan and add hot water around it.
Bake for 60 to 75 minutes.
To check for doneness, gently jiggle the pan—the center should jiggle a bit, while the edges should be set.
After baking, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside for 1 hour, then transfer it to the fridge to chill for at least 6 hours.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer, then add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form, and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
Once the cheesecake is chilled, pipe the frosting onto the top in a swirl and decorate with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Optional Toppings and Serving Suggestions
Drizzle with caramel, or add chopped pecans for extra flavor and crunch.
For a tasty treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with Salted Caramel Sauce or Hot Fudge Sauce.
This cheesecake pairs wonderfully with a cup of espresso or a cozy mug of hot chocolate.