Around what century did cheesecake evolve into its modern form?

Around what century did cheesecake evolve into its modern form? Around the 18th century.

Cheesecake has much older roots. Ancient Greek and Roman cooks prepared cheese-based cakes, and medieval English cooks made related curd tarts. The English word “cheesecake” itself appears from the 15th century, but those earlier dishes were not yet the rich, egg-set dessert familiar today.

During the 18th century, European recipes increasingly dropped yeast and used beaten eggs instead. This changed the texture and flavor: the cakes became lighter, smoother, and more recognizably dessert-like rather than bread-like or savory. Later recipes also incorporated cream, butter, spices, dried fruit, and citrus or floral flavorings.

A common mix-up is treating the 18th century as the invention date. It is better understood as the period when cheesecake evolved toward its modern form. The familiar American versions came later, especially as cream cheese became commercially available in the United States during the 1870s.