Cheesecake Supreme and Variations

Directions

1. 1
   For crust: In a medium mixing bowl stir together crushed graham crackers, walnuts and cinnamon.
2. 2
   Stir in butter.
3. 3
   If desired, reserve 1/4 cup for topping.
4. 4
   Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom and about 2 inches up sides of an 8- or 9-inch springform pan.
5. 5
   Set pan aside.
6. 6
   For filling: In a large mixing bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and lemon peel (if using); beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.
7. 7
   Add eggs and egg yolk all at once, beating on low speed just until combined (do not overbeat).
8. 8
   Stir in milk.
9. 9
   Pour filling into crust-lined pan.
10. 10
    If desired, top with reserved crumbs.
11. 11
    Place on a shallow baking pan.
12. 12
    Bake in a 375 oven for 45 to 50 minutes for 8 inch pan or 35 to 40 minutes for 9 inch pan, or until center appears nearly set when shaken gently.
13. 13
    Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
14. 14
    Use a sharp, thin bladed knife to loosen the crust from the sides of the pan; cool for 30 minutes more.
15. 15
    Remove the sides of the pan.
16. 16
    Cool cheesecake completely.
17. 17
    Cover and chill at least 4 hours before serving.
18. 18
    VARIATIONS: LOW-FAT BERRY MARBLE CHEESECAKE: Prepare crust as above, except reduce crushed graham crackers to 13 cup; omit walnuts and butter.
19. 19
    Sprinkle onto bottom side of a well greased 8- or 9-inch springform pan.
20. 20
    For filling, substitute three 8-ounce packages nonfat cream cheese for the regular cream cheese; add 1/2 cup refrigerated or frozen egg products (thawed) for the eggs and egg yolk.
21. 21
    Prepare as directed.
22. 22
    If desired, top with nonfat sour cream; spoon on seedless red raspberry preserves and swirl with a spoon.
23. 23
    SOUR CREAM CHEESECAKE: Prepare Cheesecake Supreme as directed, except reduce cream cheese to 2 packages and omit milk.
24. 24
    Add three 8 ounce cartons dairy sour cream with eggs.
25. 25
    Bake about 10 minutes longer than Cheesecake Supreme.
26. 26
    CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE: Prepare Cheesecake Supreme as directed, omiting lemon peel.
27. 27
    Melt 4 ounces semisweet chocolate.
28. 28
    Beat melted chocolate into filling mixture just before adding eggs.
29. 29
    CHOCOLATE SWIRL CHEESECAKE: Prepare Cheesecake Supreme as directed, omiting lemon peel.
30. 30
    Melt 2 ounces semisweet chocolate.
31. 31
    Stir melted chocolate into half the filling mixture.
32. 32
    Pour chocolate mixture into crust; pour plain filling into crust.
33. 33
    Gently swirl fillings with a spatula.