Maxim's of New York Cheesecake

[kaci]

Maxim's of New York Cheesecake


Crust for 8" Cake
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Crust for 9" Cake
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling for 8" Cake
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg white (at room temperature)
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Filling for 9" Cake
1-1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 egg whites (at room temperature)
2 cups sour cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar


Preheat oven to 325 degrees F for an 8-inch cake or to 350 degrees F for a
9-inch cake.

In small bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and butter; blend well.

Butter sides of spring-form pan. Press crumb mixture into bottom of pan.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric beater until light.
Gradually add the sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after
each addition. Stir in 1/2 of the vanilla extract.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form in a medium-size bowl. Very gently
fold egg whites into cream cheese mixture. Pour mixture over crumbs. Bake
until set and lightly browned on top. Bake an 8-inch cake for 30 to 35
minutes. Bake a 9-inch cake for 1 hour. Let cake cool on wire rack for 15
minutes.

Turn oven up to 400 degrees F.

Blend sour cream, and remaining sugar and the remaining vanilla extract in a
medium-size bowl. Gently spread over top of cheesecake and bake until set, 5
to 7 minutes for an 8-inch cake or 10 minutes for a 9-inch cake. Cool to
room temperature on wire rack. Chill at least 4 hours in the refrigerator.