"Ultimate" Cheesecake

New: May 2017

Ingredients

Crust:

  2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares)

  1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  1 stick unsalted butter,melted

Filling:

  1 pound cream cheese, two 8-ounce blocks, softened

  3 eggs

  1 cup sugar

  1 pint sour cream

  1 lemon,zested

  1 dash vanilla extract

Warm Lemon Blueberries:

  1 pint blueberries

  1 lemon, zested and juiced

  2 tablespoons sugar

Total: 5 hr

Active: 45 min

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

For the Crust:

In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

For the Filling:

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not over-beaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes (ACTUALLY bake for 1 hr to 1 hr 15 min). The cheesecake should still jiggle just a tiny bit in the center (it will firm up after chilling). Let cool oven with open door for 30 minutes. Then let cool until rt on countertop. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.

Warm Lemon Blueberries:

In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly. Leave to cool before spreading on cheesecake.

from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-cheesecake-recipe