Old Fashioned Baked Cheezecake

This cheesecake is the best baked cheesecake I have eaten. It is very light and creamy and goes wonderful with fruit toppings or just plain. It is easy to make, but it is time consuming. Despite the fact that it has 5 packages of cream cheese in it, it tastes lighter than most cheesecakes I have had. Got a special dinner you are cooking for your loved one this Saturday night? Serve this cheesecake for dessert and have him or her eating out of the palm of your hand. For sure!

Old Fashioned Baked Cheezecake

Crust:
1 1/4 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp sugar

Melt the butter. Mix the sugar into the graham cracker crumbs. Add the melted butter. Mix and press into bottom of spring form pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Let it cool. Leave the oven on for the cheesecake to bake later.



Filling:
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 cup sour cream (cold)
1 cup heavy cream (cold)
5 packages of cream cheese (never the low-fat kind)
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs (at room temperature)

Cream the cheese with the sugar on high speed. Add 2 tsp vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time continuing to beat on medium speed. (only use medium speed after the cream cheese is creamed). Add the flour. Turn mixer on low speed and add in the sour cream. Stop the mixer after this addition.

In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until it stiffens. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese batter.



Pour into the pan and bake in the middle of the oven at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. The cake will rise out of the pan: not to worry, it should just brown around the edge and begin to set up in the middle. At that time, shut off the oven, move the cheesecake to the front of the oven and open the oven door about the width of a hand and leave door open. When the pan is cool enough to pick up, take out of the oven and cool on counter for 1 hour. DO NOT REMOVE THE SPRING FORM PAN





After the hour, run a knife around the inside of the pan to separate the cake from the edge. Cool overnight before removing the spring form pan. Enjoy!!



Tips:
- if preparing for a special occasion, make sure you make it the day before so it will be ready for your special occasion
- Serve with any fruit topping and whipped cream for an extra treat.
- Drizzle with chocolate sauce and raspberry sauce for more elegant treat.