Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 1 pound cream cheese, 2 (8-ounce) blocks, softened
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 pint sour cream
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 dash vanilla extract
- Warm Lemon Blueberry Topping, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
For the Filling:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well mixed but not over-beaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.
Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water. Wipe dry after each cut.
Warm Lemon Blueberries:
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Photo: The Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe

















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By mbh24
on February 10, 2013
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I think this would have been a good cheesecake, but like other reviewers, I think the baking time is off. Baked it for 45 minutes at 325 in the water bath as directed. It was still jiggly, but the directions stated it would be. So I let it set for 30 minutes, then refrigerated it for 4 hours. Majority of center was like pudding, very runny. Not a thick cheesecake at all. Very disappointed in this recipe. I only glanced at the reviews, and I now see where others have had this problem.
By ElfiePoo
Michigan
on January 16, 2013
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This appears to be a duplicate of another recipe by Tyler, so I'll post my review here as well.
I only gave this a 4 because the cooking time is very obviously not correct at this temperature (oven is checked for accuracy with sensor. Otherwise, this is excellent...*IF* you like a creamy, almost pudding-like cheesecake...which I do. In an 8" pan, this took 60 minutes, plus another 40 minutes in the oven (door cracked about 2" and oven turned off. You might be able to get by with 45 minutes in a 9" pan...possible since this cheesecake is quite deep to start with. Due to the somewhat delicate nature of this cheesecake, I would put any toppings on individual slices, not on the cheesecake.
By lakehead
on December 30, 2012
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This the best cheesecake I have ever made and or tasted. I have made this 5 times and even gotten $50 for it at a dessert auction. Follow the directions and you can't go wrong.
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