Over the years, cheesecake has become so closely associated with New York that many people assume that's where its story began. While New York may have made cheesecake famous, history tells us a different story. The records suggest its story stretches back much further. So where did cheesecake actually come from, and how did it become one of the world's most popular desserts?
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Before New York, There Was Greece
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According to Tasting Table, archaeological discoveries on the Greek island of Samos uncovered cheese moulds dating back to around 2000 BCE. While historians cannot say exactly when cheesecake was first made, these discoveries are considered some of the earliest evidence of cheese-based cakes.
Early versions of cheesecake were made using simple ingredients such as fresh cheese, honey and flour. Historical accounts further suggest that athletes competing in the first Olympic Games in 776 BCE were served cheesecake as an energy-rich food.
Another interesting detail comes from the Greek writer Athenaeus, who is credited with recording one of the earliest surviving cheesecake recipes around 230 CE. According to Tasting Table, the recipe involved mixing cheese, honey and flour before baking the mixture on an earthenware griddle.
Then Rome Took The Recipe Further
Cheesecake's journey didn't stop in Greece. After the Romans conquered Greece, they adopted the recipe and introduced their own changes. According to CNN, ancient Roman food scholar Giorgio Franchetti says the first fully documented recipe resembling modern cheesecake appears in De Agri Cultura, written by Roman statesman Cato the Elder in the third century BCE.
Known as Savillum, the Roman version included fresh cheese, honey and eggs. Franchetti told CNN that while stories about cheesecake's beginnings differ, this is the earliest detailed written recipe that closely resembles today's cheesecake.
As the Roman Empire expanded, so did the dessert. According to Tasting Table, cheesecake gradually spread across Europe, with different regions adapting it to local ingredients and traditions. Collin Street Bakery also notes that cheesecake was served at Greek weddings, highlighting how the dessert had become part of everyday celebrations long before it reached other parts of the world.
How America Changed Cheesecake Forever
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Cheesecake eventually made its way to the United States through European immigrants, but the version most people recognise today developed much later. In fact, the widespread production of cream cheese in the late 19th century helped transform the dessert, giving it the rich and creamy texture now associated with New York-style cheesecake.
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While earlier versions across Europe used different types of cheese and varied from region to region, the American adaptation became known for its dense texture and cream cheese filling. Over time, New York-style cheesecake grew in popularity and became one of the most recognisable versions of the dessert worldwide.
Today, cheesecake is enjoyed in countless forms across the world. But as food historians and historical records suggest, its story began long before New York became part of it. What many people see as a classic American dessert is actually the result of a journey that started thousands of years ago and spanned multiple cultures and continents.