Our Favorite Cheesecake Food

THE BEST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Put the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl, cover with a paper towel and melt in the microwave in 10-second increments. Brush a 9-inch springform pan with some of the melted butter.
• Stir together the remaining butter with the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan, taking care to get the crust evenly to the edges. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool. Place the pan on a large sheet of foil and wrap up the sides. Place in a roasting pan.
• For the cheesecake: Beat together the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Mix in the eggs by hand, one at a time, until just combined. (Take care not to overmix or the cheesecake will puff up and crack.) Pour the batter evenly over the crust, smoothing the top. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the foil-wrapped springform pan. Bake until the outside of the cake is set but the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan once more and unlock to unmold the cheesecake. Transfer to a serving platter or cake stand and smooth the edges with a knife.

OUR BEST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix graham crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
• Top with pie filling before serving.

FAMILY-FAVORITE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and cinnamon; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325°. , In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg yolks; beat on low just until combined. , In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour over crust., Bake for 1 hour or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate until completely cooled. , Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla; fold in whipped cream. Spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

FAMILY-FAVORITE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Lightly butter bottom and sides of 10" springform pan.
• First four ingredients are for the crust. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter in medium bowl to combine.
• Press crumb mixture into bottom of greased pan and 1/2 way up the sides.
• Bake 5 minutes, then remove to cooling rack.
• Decrease oven temp to 325.
• Next five ingredients are for the filling. In medium bowl beat egg whites to soft peaks.
• In large bowl mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
• Add whole egg and egg yolks one at a time, mixing just until combined.
• Fold whipped egg whites into cream cheese mixture.
• Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour or until center is almost set. Shouldn't be too jiggly or moist-looking.
• Remove to wire rack, cool 10 minutes. Run sharp knife around edge to loosen. Cool at least 2 hours longer before adding topping.
• Last four ingredients are for the topping. Mix sour cream, sugar and vanilla.
• Fold in whipped cream.
• Spread over cheesecake.
• Refrigerate at least 3-4 hours.