Classic Creamy Cheesecake
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
With its graham cracker crust, smooth, dense filling and fresh fruit topping, this cheesecake is irresistible!
Author: Jill White - Easton, PA
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16
Ingredients
- CRUMB CRUST
- 11 whole graham crackers (22 squares)
- ¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
- FILLING
- 5 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
- 1⅓ cups sugar
- 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tsp. finely grated lemon peel
- 1½ tsp. vanilla extract
- TOPPING
- 2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 deg. F. Use a food processor to crush crackers into crumbs (or crush by hand). Add butter and sugar; process to mix. Press onto the base of a 9" springform pan. Chill.
- For the filling, place the cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Blend in the sugar. Add the flour and beat until combined. On low speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, just until blended, being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl often. Add the sour cream, lemon peel and vanilla, beat until just blended. Pour the filling into the crust of the chilled pan, from Step 1.
- Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour 15 minutes, then turn off the oven, but keep the oven door ajar. Let the cheesecake sit in the oven for 1 hour. Then, transfer pan to wire rack and and let cool completely. After cooling, run a knife around the sides. Cover; chill for 6 hours or overnight.
- Whe ready to serve, remove the pan sides. Slide the cheesecake onto a serving plate. For the topping, overlap the strawberries in a circle on the cheesecake. Fill the center of circle with rasberries.
Notes
SUCCESS SECRETS
Let the cream cheese soften for 2 hours on the counter, or unwrap and microwave for only about 15 seconds.
DON'T OVERBAKE! Cheesecakes firm up as they cool.
Try different toppings, including fruits. Kiwi, grapes, pears, and others.
Want to see your own recipe with your name posted on WestEastonPA.com? CLICK HERE!
Let the cream cheese soften for 2 hours on the counter, or unwrap and microwave for only about 15 seconds.
DON'T OVERBAKE! Cheesecakes firm up as they cool.
Try different toppings, including fruits. Kiwi, grapes, pears, and others.
Want to see your own recipe with your name posted on WestEastonPA.com? CLICK HERE!
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
