The Best Cheesecake

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup coarsely ground walnuts (3 ounces)
• 3/4 cup finely crushed graham cracker
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 32 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Recipe

• 1 position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. lightly butter 9 or 10 inch springform pan.
• 2 for crust: combine walnuts, graham cracker crumbs and butter. press compactly onto bottom of pan.
• 3 for filling: beat cream cheese in large bowl of electric mixer until smooth. add eggs, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. beat thoroughly. spoon over crust.
• 4 set pan on baking sheet to catch any batter that may drip out. bake 10-inch cake 40 to 45 minutes. bake 9-inch cake 50 to 55 minutes. cake may rise slightly and crack in several areas; it will settle again. cracks will minimize. remove from oven and let cool. refrigerate overnight. using knife loosen cake from pan, remove springform.
• 5 if a topping is desired any fruit pie will do.