Meals Matter

The Ultimate Cheesecake

Contributed By: DCC
Creative Cook's Kitchen

The title says it all.

Ingredients

Crust:

1 1/2 cups Graham cracker crumbs

2 tbsp Sugar

1/4 cup Butter or margarine, melted

Filling:

5 pkgs (8 oz Each) cream cheese, softened

1 1/3 cups Sugar

3 tbsp All-purpose flour

3 Large eggs

1/2 cup Sour cream

2 tsp Finely grated lemon peel

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

Topping:

1 Egg white

1 tbsp Sugar

1/2 cup Sour cream

1/2 cup Raspberry preserves

1/2 cup Apricot preserves

1 cup Assorted fresh fruit, chopped

Preparation

Preparing the Crust:

In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add melted butter; stir to combine. Press crumb mixture into a 9-inch springform pan. Chill 30 minutes.


Making the Filling:

Preheat oven to 325 deg. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat cream cheese for 2 minutes; add sugar. Gradually add flour; mix until combined. On low speed, beat in eggs, one at a time, until just blended. Add sour cream, lemon peel and vanilla; beat until just blended. Pour into crust. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove cake from oven; cool for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, beat egg white until frothy; add sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Fold in sour cream until blended. Spread on top of cake. Return cake to oven; bake until topping is set, not browned, about 20 minutes. Turn off oven; let cheesecake sit for 1 hour with oven door ajar. Place cake on wire rack to cool completely.


Making the Topping:

Using tip of a knife, score a "ying yang" design on top of cheesecake. Place preserves in microwave-safe bowls. Microwave on HIGH until preserves are thin, about 45 seconds. Spoon preserves onto each half of design. With back of a spoon, spread preserves to fill each section. Arrang fruit on top of cake. Chill until ready to serve.

Cook's Notes

Use a smooth measuring cup to help press crumbs evenly against sides and bottom of springform pan.

12 servings.

Recipe Comments

Commented by: 5legrands

I had never liked cheesecake, nor had ever made one. The first time I used this recipe I became a cheesecake pro. My husband, who doesn't really eat sweets, loves this - and so does everyone else. This is a no-fail dessert!

 

Rate This Recipe

Scroll over the empty stars to rate.
  4 ratings
  Read (1)/Add a Comment
Share

Recipe Details

Total Preparation Time: 2 hours
Actual Cooking Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Number of Servings: More than 10
Origin: American
Special Features: Vegetarian
Nutrition Content: Good Source of Calcium
Holiday: July 4th
Christmas
Meal Type: Dessert

Nutrient Information

Calories: 643
Total Fat: 43 g
Saturated Fat: 26 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 57 g
Protein: 11 g
Vitamin A: 1603 IU
Vitamin C: 9 mg
Calcium: 114 mg
Sodium: 382 mg
Iron: 2 mg
Fiber: 0.6 g