New York Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 7 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 32 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs
• 2 egg yolks

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Heat the oven to 350°F, grease a 9-inch springform pan, and wrap the outside tightly if baking in a water bath.
2. Step 2.Combine graham crumbs, melted butter, and sugar, press firmly into the pan, and bake the crust for 10 minutes before cooling.
3. Step 3.Reduce the oven to 325°F and beat cream cheese until smooth before adding sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a steady stream.
4. Step 4.Mix in sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla on low speed, scraping the bowl so the dense filling stays smooth from top to bottom.
5. Step 5.Add eggs and yolks one at a time, mixing only until blended after each addition to avoid adding extra air.
6. Step 6.Pour the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and set the pan in a roasting pan with hot water halfway up the sides if using a bath.
7. Step 7.Bake 70 to 80 minutes until the edges are puffed and lightly browned while the center still moves as one soft mass.
8. Step 8.Turn off the oven, crack the door for 45 minutes, then cool and refrigerate overnight before slicing for the dense New York texture.