Melissa’s Prize-Winning Cheesecake
By Yankee Magazine|Sep 23 2008|
Melissa is the daughter of Joan and Jim Lippke, innkeepers of Breezemere Farm. She has won several awards for her desserts and has a thriving catering business in Huntington, New York. –Breezemere Farm, South Brooksville, Maine
Yield
Serves 12
Ingredients
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 pounds cream cheese, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch springform pan all the way up to the rim. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over bottom. With mixer at medium high speed thoroughly cream the cheese till it is perfectly smooth. Add 1-3/4 cups sugar and vanilla. Beat well. Add eggs one at a time, beating only as much as is necessary to mix well. Stir in lemon juice. Pour into prepared pan and place on medium rack in oven. On lower rack, immediately under springform pan, place a larger pan filled with hot water. Bake for 1-1/2 hours. Five minutes before time is up, spread over top sour cream mixed with 3 tablespoons sugar. Allow to cool at least 24 hours for best texture and flavor.
