WATER BATH PAN FOR CHEESECAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• To prepare the crust, melt the butter and brush on the bottom of a 10x2 heavy cake pan or 10-inch springform pan.
• Mix the crumbs and sugar in a bowl, then add enough butter to make the crumbs stick together.
• Press firmly onto the bottom of the pan.
• Set aside and preheat the oven to 325°F.
• In the bowl of a heavy mixer, beat the cream cheese on low with the paddle until smooth.
• Scrape and add the sugar, beat on low speed until smooth.
• Scrape the bowl.
• Add the vanilla and lemon juice, beat in the eggs and yolks, one at a time.
• Scrape the bowl well and combine.
• Scrape the bowl well to ensure even mixing, you should have a smooth batter.
• Pour into the pan, all the way to the top and set the pan into a larger pan.
• Set in the oven and then pour the hottest tap water into the outer pan.
• This is a water bath.
• Bake until the center is just firm, but when you tap the side the center will jiggle like firm jello.
• Don't worry, it will firm up when it cools.
• You don't want to overbake this cake, this will cause cracking and a dry texture.
• Remove from the outer water pan and set on a level surface and cool until room temperature.
• Then place in the refrigerator overnight.
• When you are ready to remove the cake from the pan, have the plate ready that you want to use.
• A board covered in plastic wrap is ok, too.
• If using a cake pan, hold it over a burner on your stove, just to melt the butter to release the cake.
• Keep the pan turning so you don't overheat.
• Then, turn pan over onto the plastic covered board and hold both at an angle.
• Tap the edge firmly on the counter until you feel the cake release it's seal.
• Turn out onto the board and immediately turn over onto the plate.
• Store the cheesecake in the refrigerator.
• If you wish to serve at room temperature, then slice while cold, then set the slices out about 1 hour before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in lower third of oven.
• Butter bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Line sides of pan with 4-inch-high strips of parchment and butter parchment.
• In a food processor, pulse graham crackers with salt and sugar to fine crumbs. Add butter and pulse until fully incorporated. Press evenly into bottom of prepared springform pan and bake until crust is golden brown and set, 15 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to wire rack to cool 10 minutes.
• In a large stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter, and sour cream with sugar until light and smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Beat in remaining egg yolks, zest, and vanilla extract.
• Crisscross two long pieces of foil and place a piece of parchment on top. Place springform in center of foil and wrap foil tightly around bottom and sides of pan. Transfer to a roasting pan, pour filling into springform pan, and smooth the top.
• Pour boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan and carefully transfer to oven. Bake for 1 hour until top of cheesecake is golden brown, edges are set, and center jiggles slightly. Lift cheesecake from water bath, remove foil and parchment from outside of springform, and chill cheesecake in refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
• To serve, remove side of springform pan and parchment strips. Cut cheesecake with a long, thin-bladed knife.