AMERICAN CHEESECAKE RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Grease a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the crushed graham crackers and melted butter until combined.
• Transfer the graham cracker mixture to the prepared pan and use the bottom of a dry measuring cup to press into an even layer.
• Bake the crust for 20 minutes, or until starting to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
• In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
• Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating between each addition until incorporated. Add the vanilla and beat to combine.
• Wrap the bottom of the springform pan tightly with aluminum foil. Place a paper towel in the bottom of a large, high-walled baking dish large enough to fit the springform pan. Place the springform pan in the baking dish and pour the cream cheese filling over the crust. Fill the baking dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan, being careful not to splash any into the cheesecake.
• Bake for 1 hour, or until slightly jiggly in the center and set around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
• Refrigerate the cheesecake for 12 hours, or overnight.
• Release the springform and transfer the cheesecake to a serving platter. Garnish the top of the cheesecake with fresh berries, then slice and serve.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Position an oven shelf in the middle of the oven. Heat the oven to 180C/ 160C fan/ gas 4.
• Line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin by putting a square piece of parchment paper or foil on top of the tin base and then clipping the side on so the paper or foil is trapped and any excess sticks out of the bottom.
• For the crust, melt 85g butter in a medium pan. Stir in 140g digestive biscuit crumbs and 1 tbsp golden caster or granulated sugar so the mixture is evenly moistened.
• Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack while preparing the filling.
• For the filling, increase the oven temperature to fan 220C/ 200C fan/ gas 7. In a table top mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 900g full-fat soft cheese at medium-low speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
• With the mixer on low, gradually add 250g golden caster sugar, then 3 tbsp plain flour and a pinch of salt, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the paddle twice.
• Swap the paddle attachment for the whisk. Continue by adding 1½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp lemon zest and 1½ tsp lemon juice. Whisk in 3 large eggs and 1 yolk, one at a time, scraping the bowl and whisk at least twice.
• Stir a 284ml carton of soured cream until smooth, then measure 200ml (just over ¾ of the carton). Continue on low speed as you add the measured soured cream (reserve the rest). Whisk to blend, but don't over-beat. The batter should be smooth, light and somewhat airy.
• Brush the sides of the springform tin with melted butter and put on a baking sheet. Pour in the filling - if there are any lumps, sink them using a knife - the top should be as smooth as possible. Bake for 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 110C/ 90C fan/ gas ¼ and bake for 45 minutes more. If you gently shake the tin, the filling should have a slight wobble.
• Turn off the oven and open the oven door for a cheesecake that's creamy in the centre, or leave it closed if you prefer a drier texture. Let cool in the oven for 2 hours. The cheesecake may get a slight crack on top as it cools.
• Combine the reserved soured cream with a 142ml carton soured cream, 1 tbsp golden caster sugar and 2 tsp lemon juice for the topping. Spread over the cheesecake right to the edges. Cover loosely with foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Run a round-bladed knife around the sides of the tin to loosen any stuck edges. Unlock the side, slide the cheesecake off the bottom of the tin onto a plate, then slide the parchment paper out from underneath.