*  Exported from  MasterCook Mac  *

                             Basic Cheesecake

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Basics                           Cheesecakes

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  32      oz            Ricotta cheese -- softened
  24      oz            Cream cheese -- softened
     2/3  c             Sugar
   3      lg            Eggs -- beaten
   1      ts            Vanilla
     1/2                Box graham cracker crumbs
     1/2  c             Unsalted butter -- softened

Crust:

In a large bowl: put graham cracker crumbs. Knead in 1/4 cup of
butter. Press onto bottom of 9" prepared spring form pan. Chill for
about 15 minutes before filling.

Filling:

In blender combine ricotta, 12 oz cream chesse, 1/2 ts vanilla,
1/3 cup sugar, 2 eggs, and 2 tb of butter. Blend until smooth.
Pour gently on top of crust. Repeat for 2nd half of ingredients.
Bake @ 325°F and no hotter for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check
frequently! It is done when center starts to firm up and sides begin
to pull away from pan. Turn off the oven and allow to cool slowly.
Chill for at least 6 hours before serving.

Notes:

This cheesecake is a base for any flavor cheesecake you might like to
make. Remember that when you add fruit (berries etc.) you are also
adding water, so add a some flour to correct for it (typically 2 tb
flour per 1 cup of berries). Of course different fruits will have
different water contents and you must allow of that.

You might want to use the bottom of the spring form pan as a guide to
cut a piece of parchment (don't use waxed paper unless that's all you
have). Placed on the bottom of the pan, it will allow you to slide
the cheese cake off the pan after it's been chilled. If you serve the
cheese cake on the pan bottom, it will save it from scratches.

The instructions say to use a "prepared" pan. I "prepare" a cake pan
by misting it with non-stick spray.

This cheese cake is not sweet. Add more sugar or serve with a sweet
topping (my preferance) if you like.

I have successfully substituted fat free ricotta and fat free cream
cheese with great success.


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