Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping
Why I Love This Recipe
Several years ago (15 or more?) a dear friend and co-worker shared this recipe with me. It has been my go-to recipe ever since. All I do is change the [second] topping to fit the mood/theme.
Cheesecake tips:
Use a water bath when baking to create a moist atmosphere in the oven.
Do not over beat when adding the eggs. You don't want your cheesecake filled with air (unlike a regular batter cake).
Ingredients You'll Need
Crust:
1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
4 - 5 tablespoons melted butter
4 tablespoons sugar
Filling:
3 - 8oz packs of cream cheese at room temperature
4 eggs
1 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Sour Cream Topping:
16 oz sour cream
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
Directions
For the crust:
Combine ingredients. Pat on the bottom of a spring form pan and up the sides a little. Place in the refrigerator while mixing the filling together.
For the filling:
Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Blend in remaining ingredients. Pour into your graham cracker crust. Place in the middle rack in your oven. Pour 1 cup of hot water into a dish (such as a roasting pan) on a rack below your cheesecake. Bake for 1 hour, turning the cake 180' halfway through. If needed, add another cup of hot water to the baking dish. This helps prevent big cracks by providing a humid atmosphere within your oven.
For the Sour Cream Topping:
Combing the ingredients and pour on top of the cheesecake. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. Cool and refrigerate for several hours or over night.