Classic Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 2/3 cup butter (melted)

• 1 1/4 cups sugar (divided- 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup)

• 3 8oz bricks cream cheese (softened)

• 1 cup sour cream

• 2 teaspoons vanilla

• 3 eggs

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and wrap the bottom of a 9” spring-form pan in foil. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter and 1/2 cup of sugar, then press mixture into spring-form pan. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar with mixer until blended. Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on a low speed after each addition until well blended. Then pour mixture over crust. Bake for 60-70 minutes, until the center is almost set (do not remove from oven yet). Turn oven off and open door slightly, let the cheesecake set in oven for one hour. Take the cheesecake out of the oven and let cool completely, then refrigerate overnight. Loosen the cheesecake from the rim of pan with a knife and remove the rim.

Makes 16 servings (depending how you slice it), keep refrigerated up to 3-4 days.