Traditional Cheesecake

 

Traditional Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons cold butter
• 
  FILLING:
• 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• Raspberry Sauce and Sour Cream Topping, optional

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Grease the sides only of a 9-in. springform pan; press crumb mixture onto bottom of pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in lemon juice and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour filling onto crust. Return pan to baking sheet.
• Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes 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 overnight. Serve with Raspberry Sauce and Sour Cream Topping if desired. You can also top with cherry or strawberry pie filling if you prefer. Refrigerate leftovers. This is my husband's favorite!