Classic Creamy Cheesecake
Perfect anytime of the year.
Ingredients (serves 16)
Crumb Crust:
11 whole graham crackers (22 squares)
¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
Filling:
5 packages (8 ounces each) Cream cheese, softened
1 1/3 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Topping:
2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced
½ cup raspberries
Step-by-step
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Use a food processor to crush the crackers into crumbs (or crush by hands).
3. Add the butter and sugar; Process to mix. Press onto the base of a 9-inch springform pan. Chill
4. For the filling, place cream cheese in large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Blend in the sugar.
5. Add the flour and beat until combined.
6. on low speed, beat eggs, one at a time, just until blended, scraping the side of the bowl often.
7.Add the sour cream, lemon peel and vanilla and beat just until blended.
8. Pour the filling over the crust in the pan.
9. Bake cheesecake for 1 hour 15 minutes.
10. Turn off oven and keep the oven door ajar.
11. Let the cheesecake sit in the over for 1 hour.
12. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
13. Run a knife around sides. Cover; Chill for 6 hours or over night.
14. Remove the pan sides.
15. Slide the cheesecake onto a serving plate.
16. For the topping, overlap the strawberries in circles on the cheesecake.
17. Fill the center with raspberries.
