Paw Paws Ultimate Cheesecake Recipes

Steps:

• For the crust: Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl until evenly moistened.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Cool completely on a rack. Wrap the bottom and up the sides of the pan with foil and place in a roasting pan.
• For the filling: Add the cream cheese to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add the cream, beating until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the lemon zest and juice, vanilla and salt and beat just until combined, taking care not to over whip. Pour into the crust.
• Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Carefully place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out of the oven). Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come about halfway up the side of the foil-wrapped springform pan.
• Bake until the top of the cheesecake is lightly browned around the edges, but the center still jiggles slightly, about 2 hours.
• Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a rack. Run a knife around the edges and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Bring the cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Remove the springform ring. Dip a knife in warm water and wipe dry before slicing each piece.

Steps:

• Crust:.
• Put ingreduants into the food processor together and blend. Press into bottom of 10" springform pan and up 1" of the sides. Chill for 30 minutes.
• Cheesecake:.
• Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 2c of sugar, beating well. Beat eggs and vanilla into the mixture. Add sour cream and pour batter into the chilled crust.
• Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Reduce heat to 325 and bake for 15 more minutes (At this point the cheesecake will be even with or slighly over the edges of the pan). Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake stay in the oven for 30 minutes more. Then open the oven door and let it stay there for another hour or more to cool. Cover and chill overnight to serve.