Company Cheesecake

My family loves cheesecake and I have no less than 30 different cheesecake recipes, but if asked which one they want me to make, it always comes down to this one. It's simple and its amazingly good. You can change things up a bit by adding a layer of your favorite candy bar or by topping with strawberries or cherries. Take half the filling and mix in some cocoa and then marble it in with the plain filling. Endless possibilities.

I always triple the recipe since my cheesecake pan is a large one and honestly we manage to eat the whole thing in just a few days. Friday night's dessert has just come out of the oven. Melanie, Casi and Mei-Ling are coming over for supper. We all just feel a bit like celebrating over the good news that the nephrostomy tube is coming out next week !

Company Cheesecake
Crust:
1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp. sugar

3 tbsp. melted butter

Filling:
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese plus 2 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 c. sugar

2 tsp. grated lemon peel (optional)

1/4 tsp. vanilla ( I double the vanilla)

3 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons sugar.

Mix in butter. Press into bottom of 9-inch pan.

Bake 7-10 minutes. Cool.

Reduce oven to 300 degrees.

Beat cream cheese in large bowl.

Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating until fluffy.

Add peel and vanilla.

Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Pour into crumb shell.

Bake 1 hour or until center is firm.

Chill at least 3 hours.

Personal note:

I always make it the day before its to be served. It just tastes better after setting overnight in the refrigerator. Triplying the recipe means you have to bake it longer too !