classic cheesecake

How To Make classic cheesecake

• 1

  Soften the cream cheese. In a mixing bowl, mix the sugar and cream cheese together, add the eggs, and vanilla.
• 2

  Crust:In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter, add the sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Mix together and press into the bottom and up the sides (about 1/2 inch) of a 9" cheesecake pan. Pour the cheesecake mixture into the pan. Wrap the pan with wide aluminum foil(the 12" will be too small). Water bath (it is called a bain marie when you do this)-take a larger pan and add about 1/2 inch of water. Put the prepared cheesecake in to the outer pan, being careful that you do not get any water into the cheesecake. Bake at 325 for about 1 hour, shut off oven and leave it in for an additional hour. Cool on counter. Cover w/plastic wrap and chill-take out of spring form pan. and place on nice plate or platter.
• 3

  Chocolate cheesecake:melt the chocolate and add to cheesecake mixture.
• 4

  Turtle Cheesecake:before serving, sprinkle with chips, pecans, drizzle with caramel sauce.
• 5

  Blackberry Swirl: make a blackberry filling(blackberries, little cornstarch, small amount of sugar) or use pie filling. Put 1/2 of the cheesecake batter in pan, add blackberry filling, add remaining batter and gently swirl with a knife or small rubber spatula.
• 6

  This makes a 9" cheesecake, for a 10" cheesecake, add an additional 1/4 sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla, 1 egg and 1 pkg cream cheese. You will also have to bake it longer.
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