Family-Favorite Cheesecake

By paulmartinjr

Ingredients

• CRUST:
• 2 -1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 40 squares)
• 1 /3 cup sugar
• 1 /2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 /2 cup butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 -1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, separated
• TOPPING:
• 1 /2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 /2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 /2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Details

Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and cinnamon; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325°.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg yolks; beat on low just until combined.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour over crust.
Bake for 1 hour or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate until completely cooled.
Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla; fold in whipped cream. Spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.
Prep: 20 min. + cooling Bake: 1 hour + chilling