Ingredients: |
Ingredients: For the Graham Cracker crust:
1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
4 tbsp granulated sugar
5 tbsp melted butter
For the Cheesecake filling:
40 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (five 8 oz packages; 2½ lbs. total)
1¼ cups granulated sugar
½ cup sour cream, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
any desired cheesecake toppings
Equipment:
9 inch springform pan
|
Directions: |
Directions:1. Place oven racks in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. In a medium sized bowl, stir graham cracker crumbs together with sugar and melted butter until well incorporated and mixture looks like damp sand. Using the bottom of a measuring cup, press crust into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 7 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 325º.
4. In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, mix cream cheese 30 seconds until smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and add in granulated sugar, sour cream and vanilla. Mix again until incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again briefly.
5. Crack eggs into a liquid measuring cup and using a fork, beat until well scrambled. With the mixer on low, slowly pour eggs into the cream cheese mixture and stop stirring once egg has been incorporated. Remove bowl from mixer and scrape the sides and bottom again, ensuring the entire mixture is smooth. If there are a few small lumps, try to fold in using the rubber scraper.
6. Once the batter is completely smooth and ready, tap the bowl on the counter for 30-45 seconds to remove as many air bubbles as possible. You should see them popping of the surface as you tap the bowl. Pour filling into the center of the graham cracker crust and gently smooth the top. Will be very full!
7. Bake for 30 minutes at 325º. Reduce temperature to 250º and continue cooking for 45 minutes more. Once this time has elapsed, turn oven off and keep cheesecake inside for another 30 minutes for some carry over cooking without opening the oven door. Crack oven door to let cheesecake cool slowly for 1 hour before removing. At this point, cheesecake should be slightly warm. Bring cheesecake to room temperature on the counter (3-4 hours) before covering with plastic wrap and transferring to the fridge.
8. Refrigerate until chilled completely (6 hours to overnight). To serve, open springform pan and remove collar. Decorate as desired.
Dip a sharp knife into hot water, wipe off any excess water and slice. I like to dip my knife in water between each slice to get really clean-looking pieces. |
This recipe for Cheesecake (no water bath) is from