Our Best Cheesecake

photo by:kraft

Better than all the rest. What else can we say? How about this: It's a rich, creamy, cherry-topped showstopper that's so easy, even beginners can pull it off.

time

prep:

15 min

total:

5 hr 25 min

servings

total:

16 servings, one slice each

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What You Need

1-3/4

cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs

1/3

cup margarine or butter, melted

1-1/4

cups sugar, divided

pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

tsp. vanilla

eggs

can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling

Make It

PREHEAT oven to 350°F if using a silver 8- or 9-inch springform pan (or to 325°F if using a dark nonstick 8- or 9-inch springform pan). Mix graham cracker crumbs, margarine and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Press firmly onto bottom and 2-1/2 inches up side of pan; set aside.

BEAT cream cheese and the remaining 1 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour into crust.

BAKE 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Turn oven off. Open oven door slightly. Let cheesecake set in oven 1 hour. Remove cheesecake from oven; cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Loosen cheesecake from rim of pan; remove rim. Top cheesecake with pie filling just before serving. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Prepare as directed, using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese.

How to Easily Cut Creamy Desserts

When cutting creamy-textured desserts, such as cheesecake, carefully wipe off the knife blade between cuts with a clean damp towel. This prevents the creamy filling from building up on the blade, ensuring nice clean cuts that leave the filling intact.

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a cook

posted:1/2/2007

Excellent recipe!! It taste really good and turn out great. A keeper, try it!

nataliewade731

posted:12/31/2006

this is my favorite cheesecake. SOO simple and delicious. i always double the crust, just because we love looots of crust. TRULY YUMMY AND FOOL PROOF!!

tati1313

posted:12/31/2006

I have made this for a NEW YEARS EVE Party at my house as one of the many desserts i made and everyone has loved it. I made it instead with Strawberry filling and it was DELICIOUS!!!!! I will definetly make it again. Everyone, said it was AWESOME!!!!

elbpersy

posted:12/29/2006

I have made this several times now and it has turned out excellent every time. It is easy and quick to make. It is also wonderful with a layer of caramel and pecans between the crust and filling.

FitnessPays

posted:12/26/2006

OMG!!! For Christmas Eve, 2006, at the last minute, I learned that I was to bring a Cheesecake to one of the two Gatherings that day. I am not one to buy desserts, but I had never 'baked' a cheesecake before! I quickly went to this Website and saw this Recipe!!! OMG!!! EVERYone raved about it, at BOTH Gatherings that day! I topped one with Blueberry Pie Filling and the other with Cherry. Numerous people at the Gatherings were comparing their cheesecake recipe with me, as I now have mine on my Blackberry, so it's instantly visable, therefore, easy to share! It truly is 'to die for!'

Kinsey1280

posted:12/14/2006

I have made this particular cheesecake numerous times and I always get rave reviews! It is wonderful. It has never cracked and always looks as great as it tastes.

cyndie50

posted:12/12/2006

Received rave reviews from family and neighbors at our Thanksgiving dinner. Cheesecake is one of my favorite deserts, and this is one that I will be sure to make time and time again!!

summermair80

posted:12/5/2006

I make this cheesecake all the time. It is how I say thank-you to neighbors who help me out.

a cook

posted:11/22/2006

I have made this cheesecake a dozen times.

rickie24

posted:10/3/2006

I made this cheesecake for my pregnant roomate and she LOVED it. It wasn't too sweet but just sweet enough!!