New York Cheese Cake

Found this recipe online when googl-ing for New York Cheesecake recipe. The 153 reviews of this recipe boast an average rating of 5 stars! So I chose to try this recipe out. No doubt, it does live to the 5 star rating even though I did some minor adjustment to the recipe! My relatives loved it, and hubby even gave a 10 rating for this cake!

 

INGREDIENTS
THE CRUST

• 85ml butter melted
• 140g digestive biscuits , made into fine crumbs
• 1 tbsp granulated / caster sugar

THE CHEESECAKE FILLING

• 3 x 250g pack full fat soft cheese (Philadelphia is good)
• 230g caster sugar
• 3 tbsp plain flour
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• finely grated zest of 1 lemon (about 2 tsp)
• 1½ tsp lemon juice
• 3 large eggs , plus 1 yolk

METHOD
PREPARING THE CRUST

1. Position an oven shelf in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to fan 160C/conventional 180C/gas 4. Line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin with parchment paper. For the crust, melt the butter in a medium pan. Stir in the biscuit crumbs and sugar so the mixture is evenly moistened. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack while preparing the filling.

PREPARING THE FILLING

1. For the filling, increase the oven temperature to fan 200C/conventional 240C/gas 9. In a table top mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the soft cheese at medium-low speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, gradually add the sugar, then the flour and a pinch of salt, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the paddle twice.
2. Swap the paddle attachment for the whisk. Continue by adding the vanilla, lemon zest and juice. Whisk in the eggs and yolk, one at a time, scraping the bowl and whisk at least twice. Stir the 200ml of soured cream until smooth. Continue on low speed as you add the measured soured cream. Whisk to blend, but don't over-beat. The batter should be smooth, light and somewhat airy.
3. Brush the sides of the springform tin with melted butter and put on a baking sheet. Pour in the filling - if there are any lumps, sink them using a knife - the top should be as smooth as possible. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to fan 90C/conventional 110C/gas 1⁄4 and bake for 25 minutes more. If you gently shake the tin, the filling should have a slight wobble. Turn off the oven and open the oven door for a cheesecake that's creamy in the centre, or leave it closed if you prefer a drier texture. Let cool in the oven for 2 hours. The cheesecake may get a slight crack on top as it cools.

Note: Keep everything at room temperature

Keep everything at room temperature. To avoid lumps and ensure even mixing without over-beating, it is essential to have the soft cheese at room temperature before starting. Ideally, let it come to room temperature in its pack for 2 hours. If you're short of time, cut the soft cheese into chunks and leave to soften for 1 hour. It also helps to have a tabletop mixer with a powerful motor. But if you don't have one, a hand-held mixer works fine.

For full actual recipe, click here