Lemon Cheesecake

By LoriCaputo

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, finely crushed
• 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 3 tbs. margarine, melted
• 3 pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• Grated peel and juice from 1 medium lemon
• 3 eggs

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix crumbs and 1/4 cup of the sugar and margarine together. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumb mix and press remaining crumbs firmly onto the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar in a large bowl until well blended. Add sour cream, lemon peel, and juice; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low spped after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust and sprinle with reserved crumb mix.

Bake 45 - 50 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Turn off oven. Open door lsighlty; let cheesecake stand in over 30 minutes.