Basic Baked Cheesecake With Variations
Grrrrrgh!
Course : Cheesecakes
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 12
 

Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        ***GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST***
  11      whole         graham crackers -- (22 squares)
     1/4  cup           butter or margarine -- melted
   2      tablespoons   sugar
                        ***GINGERSNAP CRUST***
  28                    gingersnap cookies
   3      tablespoons   melted butter
   2      tablespoons   sugar
                        ***COOKIES 'N CREAM CRUST***
                        l6 creme-filled chocolate sandwich
                        -- cookies
   2      tablespoons   melted butter
   1      tablespoon    sugar
                        ***PRALINE CRUST***
  12                    pecan shortbread cookies
   1      tablespoon    melted butter
   1      tablespoon    brown sugar
                        ***FILLING***
  40      ounces        cream cheese -- softened
   1 1/3  cups          sugar
   3      tablespoons   all-purpose flour
   3      large         eggs
     1/2  cup           sour cream
   2      teaspoons     finely grated lemon peel
   1 1/2  teaspoons     vanilla extract
                        ***BERRY TOPPING***
   2      pints         strawberries -- hulled and sliced
     1/2  cup           raspberries
                        ***GLISTENING GRAPE***
   1      cup           mixed red and green grapes
                        ***PERFECT PLUM***
   3      large         plums -- sliced
                        tropical delight
   3      large         navel oranges
   2                    kiwi -- peeled & sliced
                        ***STARS AND STRIPES***
     1/2  pint          strawberries -- hulled & halved
   1      cup           blueberries or blackberries
 

Preparation:

Use a food processor to crush the crackers/cookies into crumbs (or crush by hand). Add the butter and sugar; process to mix. Press onto the base of a 9-inch springform pan. Chill. Beat cream cheese on medium-high for 2 minutes. Blend in sugar. Add the flour and beat until combined. On low speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, just until blended, scraping sides of bowl often. Add the sour cream, lemon peel and vanilla and heat just until blended. Pour over crust in pan. Bake at 325'F for 1 1/4 hours. Turn the oven off and place a wooden spoon in oven door to keep it open. Let cheesecake sit 1 hour. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Run a knife around sides. Cover; chill for 6 hours or overnight. Remove the pan sides. Slide the cheesecake onto a serving plate. Add Topping of your choice. BERRY TOPPING: overlap the strawberries in circles on the cheesecake. Fill the center with the raspberries. GLISTENING GRAPE TOPPING: Arrange about 1 cup mixed halved seedless red and green grapes in alternate circles on top of cheesecake. PERFECT PLUM: Arrange 3 large sliced plums in overlapping circles on top of the cheesecake, starting at outside edge. Decorate with a sprig of fresh mint. TROPICAL DELIGHT: Peel and section 3 large navel oranges. Arrange in a circle around edge of cheesecake. Fill the center with 2 peeled and sliced kiwis. STARS AND STRIPES: Arrange 1/2 pint hulled strawberries, cut in half, with 1 cup blueberries or blackberries in alternate rows on top of cheesecak