The Ultimate Cheesecake
Treat yourself to The Ultimate Cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy filling, tangy sour cream, and fresh lemon zest flavor.
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Servings: 8
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups finely crushed graham crackers about 30 squares
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
Ultimate Cheesecake Filling
- 2 blocks (8 ounces, each) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pint sour cream
- dash of vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
Homemade Strawberry Topping
- 1 10-ounce bag of frozen sliced strawberries, thawed OR 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
- 3-4 Tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
For The Crust
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, combine crust ingredients together with a fork until evenly moistened. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick spray.
- Pour crumbs into the pan, and using the bottom of a measuring cup or smooth bottom of a glass cup, press crumbs into the bottom and 1-inch up along sides. Refrigerate crust while you prepare the filling.
For The Ultimate Cheesecake Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on low speed for one minute, or until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue to beat slowly just until combined. Do not over-mix! Gradually, add in sugar and beat until creamy. (About 1 minute)
- Add sour cream, vanilla and lemon zest. Periodically, scrape down sides of bowl and beaters. The batter should be well-mixed, but not overbeaten. Pour the filling into the crust-filled pan and smooth top with a spatula.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. (Be careful not to over-bake!) The center will still be slightly jiggly. Note: It will firm up while it chills. Let cool for 30 minutes, and then loosely cover with Saran Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Carefully loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan with a thin spatula or knife, and then carefully remove the sides of the pan.
For The Homemade Strawberry Topping
- Pour sliced strawberries and vanilla into a medium bowl. Sprinkle sugar over the top. Mix and slightly smash the strawberries with a fork. Cover and store in refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. Serve over cheesecake!
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