Ultimate Cheesecake

By hmp13

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 7 large eggs
• 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Apricot Glaze
• Garnish: strawberry halves

Preparation

Step 1

Preparation

Stir together first 3 ingredients; press into bottom and 1 inch up sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Chill 1 hour.

Beat eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer. Add cream cheese; beat until blended. Gradually add 1 3/4 cups sugar, beating well. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Pour batter into chilled crust.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425°.

Stir together sour cream, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla; spread over cheesecake.

Bake at 425° for 5 to 7 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 10 hours. Remove sides of pan. Serve with Apricot Glaze, and garnish, if desired.

Apricot Glaze
1 (10-ounce) jar apricot jam
1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon rum or brandy

Preparation

Combine first 3 ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until consistency of syrup. Remove from heat. Stir in rum; pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer. Cool and serve over cheesecake slices.

Cherry Glaze: Substitute cherry preserves for apricot jam; do not strain before serving.