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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Laurac1031

posted:1/21/2010

My mom passed this recipe on to me and it's amazing! Everyone I make it for loves it!

hodgey88

posted:12/13/2009

I made this cheesecake to take to a holiday party. Everyone was in awe of the appearance, and I was hoping it would taste good, as I had never made this before. Everyone raved about how good it was, and by the time I went to get a piece, it was gone! Definitely a hit and I will make this again!!!

bettybowen01

posted:9/17/2009

it was so simple and my family loved it .

sarahbroker

posted:8/28/2009

Oh my gosh! It was my first cheesecake and it came out perfectly! Everyone raved about it and I have made it several times since then, each time with ease. Great recipe for novices and experienced cooks!!

countrymom309

posted:8/9/2009

This is the best cheesecake I've ever made and I've been cooking for over 50 years. It's easy to make, has excellent texture and flavor and I top mine with a strawberry glaze. My family requests this often and it has replaced many of our traditional cakes for birthdays. I've even had some of my employees request it for their birthdays. Needless to say I make this one a LOT.

tidbits_101

posted:6/11/2009

This is the best cheesecake I've ever eaten or made. It was so easy and delicious!

ecummins4547

posted:4/14/2009

I have made this cheesecake recipe many times since I first found it on this site. I have gotten rave reviews and am now getting requests for it at family and church functions. Several have said it is the best cheesecake they have ever had. The secret to making this or any cheesecake is the proper mixing of the ingredients, baking and cooling. 1. Eliminate lumps by creaming the cheese first. Then add sugar 2. Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. 3. Turn the oven off when the center is still glossy and slightly damp looking 4. Crack open oven door and let cool in the oven for another hour. The baking and cooling times will reduce incidents of cracking and reduce the possibility of the cake falling in the center.

2nicedays

posted:4/13/2009

This is awesome! I have made a few different recipes for cheesecake, but my hubby said stick with this one! I made this for family at Easter and one for us at home! It is very easy to make and it tastes so good!

a cook

posted:4/6/2009

This is an excellent cheesecake, very easy to make and delicious. The only problem I had was my oven, it was done about 20 minutes before the required time. It got a little browner than I would have liked, but was still very tasty.

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