The Ultimate Cheesecake Recipes

Steps:

• Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar.
• Add melted butter; stir to combine.
• Press crumb mixture into a 9-inch spring pan and chill for 30 minutes.
• Filling: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer (med. speed) beat cream cheese for 2 minutes.
• Add sugar, gradually add flour and mix well.
• Beat in eggs one at a time.
• Add sour cream, lemon zest and vanilla.
• Pour into crust.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Remove cake from oven and cool 15 minutes.
• Topping: Beat egg white with sugar until soft peaks appear.
• Fold in sour cream; spread on top of cake.
• Return cake to oven; bake until topping is set, (not brown) approx.
• 20 minutes.
• Turn off oven; with door open continue to let the cheesecake cook for another hour.
• Cool completely.
• Place preserves in microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds until thin and spreadable.
• Spoon preserves onto each 1/2 of the design (Ying/Yang) with the back of the spoon spread and fill each section.
• Arrange fruit ontop; chill and Serve!

Steps:

• For the Crust: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened.
• Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides.
• Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
• ********.
• For the Filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps.
• Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined.
• Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla.
• Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters.
• The batter should be well-mixed but not overbeaten.
• Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it.
• Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan.
• Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake.
• Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
• The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook.
• Let cool in pan for 30 minutes.
• Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours.
• Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim.
• Unmold and transfer to a cake plate.
• Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.
• *********.
• For the Topping:.
• In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly.
• Leave to cool before spreading on cheesecake.
• **********.
• Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water.
• Wipe dry after each cut.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the Crust:
• In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
• For the Filling:
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not over-beaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.
• Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water. Wipe dry after each cut.
• In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly. Leave to cool before spreading on cheesecake.

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Put the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl, cover with a paper towel and melt in the microwave in 10-second increments. Brush a 9-inch springform pan with some of the melted butter.
• Stir together the remaining butter with the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan, taking care to get the crust evenly to the edges. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool. Place the pan on a large sheet of foil and wrap up the sides. Place in a roasting pan.
• For the cheesecake: Beat together the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Mix in the eggs by hand, one at a time, until just combined. (Take care not to overmix or the cheesecake will puff up and crack.) Pour the batter evenly over the crust, smoothing the top. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the foil-wrapped springform pan. Bake until the outside of the cake is set but the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan once more and unlock to unmold the cheesecake. Transfer to a serving platter or cake stand and smooth the edges with a knife.

Steps:

• For the crust: Combine ingredients and press into an ungreased 10 inch springform pan.
• Chill.
• For the filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl for 5 minutes.
• Mix in cocoa.
• Beat in eggs one at a time.
• Beat for 5 minutes more.
• Slowly add whipping cream and vanilla and beat again until well blended.
• Fold in cherries.
• Pour over cooled crust.
• Bake in 325°F oven for 75 minutes or until center is almost set.
• Run paring knife around edges to allow cake to settle without cracking.
• Cool completely.
• For the topping: Spread cherry pie filling on top of cooled cake.
• Spoon or pipe topping around edges as desired.
• Chill.