Plain Cheesecake

Plain Cheesecake

Crust

3 cups graham crackers crumbs

(or try vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies)

4 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

Filling

8 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese

3 cups sugar

9 eggs

3 1/2 cups sour cream

3 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease the inner ring of a 12-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment.

2. Mix the cracker or cookie crumbs with the sugar and melted butter. 

Press into the bottom of the pan.  Bake for 12 minutes.

3. Beat the cream cheese until creamy - 1 1/2 minutes.

Add the sugar. Beat on medium-low for 1 minute.

4. Add the sour cream. Beat until smooth.

On low, add the eggs - beat for about a minute.

Mix in the vanilla.

5. Pour the filling into the cooled crust.

6. Turn your oven to 225 degrees. 

Set your pan on a large cookie sheet - in case it leaks.

Bake for 3 hours. Make sure it isn't jiggly.

Turn off the oven and close the door.

Let it cool in the oven for 2 hours.

Remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.

Refrigerate.

7 When you're ready to serve, remove the outside of the pan. 

Add whatever toppings you want.

Serves 20.