Karens Secret Cheesecake Recipes

Steps:

• Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar and melted butter.
• Press mixture onto bottom and up sides of a 9 inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, cocoa and vanilla until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs and blend well.
• Pour into prepared crust and bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until almost set.
• Remove from oven and cool.
• Cover and chill several hours. Overnight is best.

Steps:

• Beat the butter and sugar in a medium mixing bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Add the egg and flour and mix until a smooth dough is formed.
• With your hands, shape it into a ball and flatten it into a disc.
• Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it until it's firm.
• Remove the sides from the springform pan (10 1/2" or 9 1/2") and press one third of the pastry evenly over the bottom.
• Place on baking sheet and bake in 400F oven for 6 minutes or until golden.
• Remove from the oven and cool.
• Increase oven temperature to 500°F.
• Butter the sides of the springform pan and attach it to the bottom.
• Press the remaining pastry about two thirds up the sides.
• Beat the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
• Gradually add the sugar, flour, lemon and orange peel, salt and vanilla, beating constantly.
• Add eggs and yolks one at a time, beating well after each egg.
• Scrape the bowl one or two more times.
• Add in the sour cream; the mixture will be thin.
• Pour it into the pastry-lined springform pan.
• Place the pan on a baking sheet.
• Bake it in the oven at 500F for 8 minutes or until the top is golden.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 200F (don't open the oven!) and continue to bake it for 1 hour or until the center jiggles slightly.
• When finished cooking, shut off the open, prop the door open, and let the cheesecake sit in the oven for about 3 or 4 hours.
• Once it's finished cooling, wrap it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it several hours or overnight.
• Remove the sides of the springform pan.
• Now you can add whatever glaze, ganache, or other spread you desire over the top of the cheesecake.
• Keep it refrigerated until serving time!