classic cheesecake

How To Make classic cheesecake

• 1

  Soften the cream cheese. In a mixing bowl, mix the sugar and cream cheese together, add the eggs, and vanilla.
• 2

  Crust:In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter, add the sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Mix together and press into the bottom and up the sides (about 1/2 inch) of a 9" cheesecake pan. Pour the cheesecake mixture into the pan. Wrap the pan with wide aluminum foil(the 12" will be too small). Water bath (it is called a bain marie when you do this)-take a larger pan, put the prepared cheesecake in and then add water(about 1") to the outer pan, being careful that you do not pour any water into the cheesecake. Bake at 325 for about 1 hr, shut off oven and leave it in for an additional hour. Cool on counter. Cover w/plastic wrap and chill-take out of spring form pan. and place on nice plate or platter.
• 3

  Chocolate cheesecake:melt the chocolate and add to cheesecake mixture.
• 4

  Turtle Cheesecake:before serving, sprinkle with chips, pecans, drizzle with caramel sauce.
• 5

  Blackberry Swirl:make a blackberry sauce or any other flavor. Put 1/2 of the cheesecake batter in pan, add blackberry sauce, add remaining batter and swirl with a knife or small rubber spatula.
• 6

  This makes a 9" cheesecake, for a 10" cheesecake, add an additional 1/4 sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla, 1 egg and 1 pkg cream cheese. You will also have to bake it longer.
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