Classic Cheesecake

By Side Passion

Ingredients

• For the Crust:
• 14 whole graham crackers
• 2 Tbs sugar
• 5 Tbs unsalted butter, melted
• For the Filling:
• 3 8-oz packages of cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 C sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 Tbs lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Details

Level of difficulty Average
Cost Average budget

Preparation

Step 1

Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Break the graham crackers into pieces, then pulse in a food processor with the sugar until finely ground; drizzle in the melted butter and pulse to combine. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and about 1 inch up the side of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack and let cool completely. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Step 2

Make the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and slightly fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the lemon juice and vanilla.

Step 3

Pour the batter into the prepared crust. Transfer to the oven and bake until the edge is set but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and keep the cheesecake in the oven with the door ajar, 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely, then refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.