Is Cheesecake a Pie or a cake? Experts disagree on this, but Grand Ma says, "It's a pie." There is very little starch in cheesecakes (if any) which is the major difference. A cheesecake is baked custard that is similar to a cream pie. Instead of using cream as a milk product, it uses cream cheese. And then there's the fact that the cream is usually cooked on the stove, while the cheesecake is cooked in the oven. The debate continues. This collection of Grand Ma's Best Cheesecake Recipes is a "MUST" for your collection.