GRADUATION CHEESECAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Measure sifted flour, add baking powder and 2 teaspoons salt, and sift together three times. Beat egg whites until foamy, add 1 cup white sugar gradually, and continue beating only until mixture will stand in soft peaks. Cream shortening, add 2 1/2 cups white sugar gradually, and cream together until light and fluffy. Add flour, alternately with milk, a small amount at a time, beating after each addition until smooth. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla and egg whites and beat thoroughly into batter.
• Turn batter into one round 10 inch pan and one round 8 inch pan, 3 inches deep, each lined on bottom with paper, filling each pan about half full of batter. Bake in moderate oven 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), placing the smaller layer towards front of oven for quicker and easier removal when done. Bake the 8 inch cake 1 hour, or until done; bake the 10 inch cake about 10 minutes longer.
• Cool cakes in pans on racks 15 minutes. Then loosen from sides of pans with spatula, turn out, remove paper, and turn right side up on racks to cool. When thoroughly cooled, at least 2 hours, brush cakes to remove any loose crumbs. Prepare Creamy Butter Frosting and set aside about 2 cups of frosting for decorating. Spread with frosting. You can tint the frosting the color or colors you want and be able to write on top of cake.
• To Make Creamy Butter Frosting: Cream 1 cup butter or margarine; add part of the confectioners' sugar gradually, blending after each addition. Mix in 4 teaspoons vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then add remaining sugar alternately with milk, until of right consistency to spread. Beat after each addition until smooth. Makes about 5 cups. (While frosting cake, keep bowl of frosting covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying.)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease 10 small (4 oz.) Mason jars and place the jars in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, one tablespoon sugar and melted butter and mix well. Divide the crumbs evenly between the jars and press down gently to form a crust.
• With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice.
• Fill each jar about 3/4 full of the cream cheese filling, leaving about 1/4 inch at the top. Place the baking pan with the jars into the oven and carefully fill the pan with hot water about halfway up the jars.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until the tops of the cheesecakes are just set and golden. Remove the jars from the water bath with tongs and place on wire rack to cool. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.