Best 20 New York Cheesecake Recipes

THE BEST NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl until evenly moistened.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Cool completely on a rack. Wrap the bottom and up the sides of the pan with foil and place in a roasting pan.
• For the filling: Add the cream cheese to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add the cream, beating until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the lemon zest and juice, vanilla and salt and beat just until combined, taking care not to over whip. Pour into the crust.
• Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Carefully place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out of the oven). Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come about halfway up the side of the foil-wrapped springform pan.
• Bake until the top of the cheesecake is lightly browned around the edges, but the center still jiggles slightly, about 2 hours.
• Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a rack. Run a knife around the edges and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Bring the cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Remove the springform ring. Dip a knife in warm water and wipe dry before slicing each piece.

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix together the cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl until evenly moistened. Press into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
• In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Blend in the eggs, 1 tablespoon of vanilla, and cream of tartar. Pour over the pie crust.
• Bake in preheated oven until the center is set, about 50 minutes. Allow to cool on counter for 5 minutes.
• Mix together the sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl until smooth; carefully pour over cheesecake starting from the sides of the pan and working your way to the center.
• Return to oven for another 5 minutes. Allow to cool in pan to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.

PHILADELPHIA® NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F if using a silver 9-inch springform pan (or to 300 degrees F if using a dark nonstick 9-inch springform pan). Mix crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press firmly onto bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Top with pie filling before serving.

LUCINDA'S NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in lower third of oven.
• Butter bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Line sides of pan with 4-inch-high strips of parchment and butter parchment.
• In a food processor, pulse graham crackers with salt and sugar to fine crumbs. Add butter and pulse until fully incorporated. Press evenly into bottom of prepared springform pan and bake until crust is golden brown and set, 15 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to wire rack to cool 10 minutes.
• In a large stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter, and sour cream with sugar until light and smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Beat in remaining egg yolks, zest, and vanilla extract.
• Crisscross two long pieces of foil and place a piece of parchment on top. Place springform in center of foil and wrap foil tightly around bottom and sides of pan. Transfer to a roasting pan, pour filling into springform pan, and smooth the top.
• Pour boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan and carefully transfer to oven. Bake for 1 hour until top of cheesecake is golden brown, edges are set, and center jiggles slightly. Lift cheesecake from water bath, remove foil and parchment from outside of springform, and chill cheesecake in refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
• To serve, remove side of springform pan and parchment strips. Cut cheesecake with a long, thin-bladed knife.

NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Wrap exterior of pan (including base) in a double layer of foil.
• To make the crust, process graham crackers in food processor until fine. Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Transfer mixture to the pan and pat into an even layer using the bottom of a measuring cup or meat pounder. Freeze the dough in the pan, about 15 minutes. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until the crust is firm to the touch and deeply golden brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed.
• In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar mixture to cream cheese; mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined; do not over mix.
• Pour cream cheese filling into the prepared pan. Set pan inside a large, shallow roasting pan. Carefully ladle boiling water into roasting pan to reach halfway up sides of springform pan.
• Bake 45 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Continue baking until cake is set but still slightly wobbly in the center, about 30 minutes more. Turn off oven; leave cake in oven with the door slightly ajar, about 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 6 hours or overnight. Before unmolding, run a knife around the edge of the cake.

CLASSIC NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fill a large, round, disposable aluminum pan with about 1/2 inch of water to create a water bath.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter for crust in a bowl. Mix until well combined and spread evenly in a 9-inch springform pan. Press down firmly on crumbs with a small, flat-bottom bowl or glass, all over the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until set, about 10 minutes. Remove crust and set aside to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, mix cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating batter briefly after each addition. Continue to add ingredients, one at a time, beating after each addition until blended, in this order: sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and flour. Pour cheesecake batter onto the crust and place carefully into the prepared water bath. The water level should be about 3/4 of the height of the springform pan; adjust as necessary.
• Bake cheesecake until the sides appear solid and the center appears just undercooked, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Turn the oven off, but do not open the oven door. Let the cheesecake cool in the water bath for 3 to 4 hours; the center will continue to cook slowly.
• Open the oven door slightly and keep the cheesecake inside for 1 more hour. Remove from the oven and transfer the cheesecake from the water bath to a wire rack. Cool for 1 hour, then place in the refrigerator until firm and fully chilled, at least 6 hours.
• Run a thin metal knife along the sides of the springform pan, then unlock the pan and slip the side section up and over the cheesecake. Run a knife under hot water, dry it quickly, then slide it from left to right between the bottom of the pan and the bottom of the cake. Slide the cake to a cake liner or platter.

NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl until evenly moistened. Press crumb mixture into the bottom and about 1/2-inch up the sides of the springform pan.
• Whisk flour, sour cream, and vanilla extract in bowl. Set aside.
• Stir cream cheese and sugar with a wooden spoon in a large bowl until evenly incorporated, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Pour milk into cream cheese mixture and whisk until just combined.
• Whisk in eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition.
• Stir in lemon zest, orange zest, and sour cream mixture; whisk until just incorporated.
• Pour mixture into prepared springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the edges have nicely puffed and the surface of the cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, about 1 hour.
• When the cheesecake is done, turn off the oven and let it cool in the oven for 3 to 4 hours. This prevents any cracks from forming on the top of the cheesecake.

CLASSIC NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Assemble a 9-by-3-inch springform pan with its bottom inverted, so the raised lip faces down. Butter pan.
• In a food processor, finely grind graham crackers. Add melted butter, brown sugar, lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; pulse until mixture resembles wet sand. Press evenly into bottom and halfway up sides of prepared pan. Bake until golden and set, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool completely.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in lemon juice and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream and vanilla until smooth.
• Place pan in the center of a double layer of foil. Lift edges of foil up, wrapping tightly around sides of pan and folding foil under itself as needed until flush with top of pan (this will prevent moisture from seeping in). Pour filling into pan (it should come almost to top of rim); smooth top with a small offset spatula.
• Place filled pan inside a roast- ing pan and transfer to center rack of oven. Carefully pour enough boiling water into roast- ing pan to come halfway up sides of springform pan (this is safer than pouring it in and then transferring to the oven). Bake until cake is puffed and golden brown on top and slightly wobbly in center, 1 3/4 to 2 hours (it will continue to cook as it cools).
• Carefully remove spring-form pan from roasting pan; transfer to a wire rack and let cool 20 minutes. Remove foil and run a small paring knife around sides of pan to loosen cheesecake. Let cool completely. Drape pan loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least 8 hours and up to 3 days. Unmold cake and serve.

NEW YORK STYLE CHEESECAKE (6-INCH)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Prepare Crumb Crust by mixing the graham cracker crumbs, 2 T. granulated sugar and 3 T. unsalted butter. Press firmly into bottom and 3/4 way up the sides of a 6-inch springform pan. Bake in the preheated 350 degree oven for 6 minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and light.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla and cornstarch, only until thoroughly mixed. Stir in the sour cream until mixture is well blended. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven with the door propped slightly open for three hours.
• Chill. Top with strawberries before serving.

CRUSTLESS NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, beat the first seven ingredients until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Pour into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. , Bake for 70-75 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and top is dry to the touch (center 5 inches of cheesecake will not be set). Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. , Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with fruit. Refrigerate leftovers.

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE III

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly coat a 10 inch springform pan with spray oil. Note: You could use a 9x13 inch pan instead.
• To make the crust: Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg and 1/2 cup butter or margarine. Spread to the edges of the pan. Prick all over with a fork, then bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Allow to cool.
• Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 3/4 cups sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, 5 eggs and the yolks and mix thoroughly. Add cream and mix only enough to blend.
• Pour filling over crust and bake for 10 minutes at 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Reduce temperature to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C) and continue to bake for one hour. Turn oven off, but leave cake in for another hour. Don't worry if it looks a little jiggly in the center.
• Chill overnight. This is imperative! If desired, top with your favorite fruit or serve plain.

NEW YORK ITALIAN STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Move an oven rack to the middle of the oven.
• Beat the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the butter, flour, cornstarch, and vanilla extract; mix until well combined. Fold in the sour cream and lemon juice. Pour the mixture into an ungreased 10-inch springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 2 more hours. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Run a thin spatula around the edge of the cheesecake before springing open the pan to remove. Serve at room temperature or cold; refrigerate leftovers.

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease 9-inch springform pan with shortening; remove bottom. In medium bowl, mix all crust ingredients with fork until dough forms; gather into a ball. Press one-third of the dough evenly on bottom of pan. Place on cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown; cool. Assemble bottom and side of pan; secure side. Press remaining dough 2 inches up side of pan.
• Increase oven temperature to 475°F. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, orange peel, lemon peel and salt with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until smooth. Beat in eggs, 2 egg yolks and 1/4 cup whipping cream, beating on low speed until well blended. Pour into baked crust. Bake 15 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 200°F. Bake 1 hour longer. Cheesecake may not appear to be done, but if a small area in the center seems soft, it will become firm as cheesecake cools. (Do not insert a knife to test for doneness because the hole could cause cheesecake to crack.) Turn off oven; leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven and cool in pan on cooling rack away from drafts 30 minutes.
• Without releasing or removing side of pan, run metal spatula carefully along side of pan to loosen cheesecake. Refrigerate uncovered about 3 hours or until chilled; cover and continue refrigerating at least 9 hours but no longer than 48 hours.
• Run metal spatula along side of pan to loosen cheesecake again. Remove side of pan; leave cheesecake on pan bottom to serve. In chilled small bowl, beat 3/4 cup whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Spread whipped cream over top of cheesecake. Decorate with almonds. Store covered in refrigerator.

AUTHENTIC LINDY'S FAMOUS NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the pastry, place the sugar and lemon zest in a food processor for 5 seconds.
• Add the butter, egg yolk, water, and vanilla and pulse until the mixture looks granular and lumpy; the butter should be in about 1/4-inch pieces.
• Add the flour and pulse rapidly 20 to 30 times, stopping occasionally to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, until the mixture almost gathers into a ball.
• Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and press the dough into a 1-inch-thick cake.
• Wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Adjust an oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Butter a 9-inch springform pan.
• Detach the sides; set aside.
• Cut off slightly less than one half of the dough.
• Break it into pieces, and scatter them over the springform bottom.
• Press firmly and evenly with your fingertips to make a thin layer.
• Set the bottom crust in the oven and bake until pale golden brown, about 8 minutes.
• Remove from the oven with a wide metal spatula and set on a cooling rack to cool completely.
• In- crease the oven temperature to 525 degrees.
• Shape the remaining pastry into a square.
• Roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle slightly larger than 10x6-inches.
• With a large sharp knife, trim away the edges so that the pastry measures 10x6-inches.
• Cut the pastry crosswise into five 2-inch strips.
• Reassemble the springform pan.
• Line the sides of the pan with 4 of the pastry strips, pressing the pieces firmly together where their edges meet and pressing the pastry firmly against the pan so that it will stay in place.
• Cut what you need from the last strip to fill in the last gap.
• Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
• For the filling, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
• Add the sugar, flour, salt, zests, and vanilla and beat until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Beat in the eggs and yolks one at a time, beating only until thoroughly incorporated, about 15 seconds after each.
• Beat for another 30 seconds.
• On low speed, beat in the heavy cream.
• Scrape the mixture into the pan and smooth the top.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 200 degrees and bake for 1 hour longer; the top will be golden brown.
• Cool to room temperature on a rack.
• Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 6 hours; overnight is best.
• For the strawberry sauce, if the strawberries are small, reserve 1 cup of the prettiest ones.
• If they are large, slice enough to make 1 cup.
• Set aside.
• Place the remaining berries in a medium saucepan and crush with a potato masher.
• Add the sugar, water, salt, and cornstarch.
• Stir well with a heat- proof rubber spatula, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened.
• Remove from the heat and add the butter, lemon juice, and reserved berries.
• Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
• (The sauce can be made a day ahead.) To serve, run a small sharp knife around the edges of the cake to release the pastry and carefully remove the sides of the pan.
• Rinse a knife in hot water, shake off the excess water, and slice.
• Serve each portion with a spoonful of the strawberry sauce.
• Refrigerate leftovers.

NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and lemon zest until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream. Divide among 12 dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°. Combine cracker crumbs and sugar in a small bowl; add butter and mix well. Press to a 1/4-in. thickness on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Cool completely. , Just before serving, crumble graham cracker mixture; sprinkle over mousse. Top with strawberries if desired.

CLASSIC NEW YORK STYLE CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• FOR THE CRUST: Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). In a large springform pan (10 inches or 26 cm in diameter), mix crumbs, melted butter and sugar well together. Press firmly onto bottom of pan. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside. NOTE: The crust recipe can be doubled if you also wish to have a crust on the side of the cheesecake.
• FOR THE FILLING: In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, flour, sugar, vanilla and heavy cream with an electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition (don't overmix the batter).
• Pour batter into prepared springform pan and bake at 400 °F (200 °C) for 10 minutes and then reduce the temperature to 300 °F (150 °C). Continue baking for another 40 minutes.
• After the baking time is up, gently shake the pan back and forth. The cheesecake should be evenly baked through and uniformly wobbly, but if only the centre is wobbly (about the size of a baseball or roughly 10 cm), it is also fine. Remove cheesecake from oven and carefully run a knife along the edge to loosen the cheesecake from the pan. Place it back in the oven with the heat turned off. Leave the cheesecake over night, with the oven door shut. Put the cheesecake in the fridge the next day for a minimum of 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Top with cherry pie filling or your favourite topping before serving.
• MAKES 12-16 SLICES (depending on how thick you slice them).

SIMPLY DELICIOUS NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Butter the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar and mix well. Press onto bottom of springform pan and bake until golden, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. When completely cooled, butter the sides of the pan.
• Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups sugar, zests, and vanilla and beat until light and creamy. Add the flour, then the eggs and yolks 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the sour cream, vanilla bean seeds, and bourbon and mix until smooth. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Wrap the pan in foil and place in a roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with enough hot water to come half way up the sides of the pan. Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
• Transfer cake to a cooling rack and let cool completely. Refrigerate cake overnight before serving. Cut into wedges and top with strawberry sauce.
• Combine berries, sugar, water and zest and cook until berries are soft and the liquid is thick, about 10 minutes. Stir in the kirsch or brandy and cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat and let cool. Spoon on top of the cheesecake and serve.

ORIGINAL NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients to room temperature (this helps to prevent cracking).
• MIX crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and butter;.
• press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. (using a hamburger press handle works great for this!).
• Bake at 325°F for 10 minutes.
• MIX cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
• Blend in sour cream. mix well
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition, just until blended. Do not over mix!
• Pour over crust.
• Run a knife through to remove any air bubbles.
• BAKE 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until center is almost set. 325 °F for a silver springform pan 300 °F if using a dark nonstick pan
• Crack oven door open slightly and allow cheesecake to temper for about 30 minutes.
• Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake;.
• Remove rim of pan.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. (This is a must!).
• Top with cherry pie filling and garnish, if desired.
• Variation, 1/3 cup seedless strawberry jam can be dropped in spoonfuls over the batter and cut through the batter several times for marble effect before baking.
• Variation #2 Cook above recipe and add 10 minutes before bake time ends. Mix 1 cup sour cream, 2 Tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla together and carefully spread over cheesecake and bake 10 minutes longer. When serving, top with mixed berries!
• Variation #3 Before serving, melt caramels in the microwave until smooth, stir in chopped pecans in desired and spoon on top of each slice.
• Variation #4 Before serving, Crush us peanut butter cups press lightly into top of cheescake and drizzle with chocolate syrup.
• Variation #5 Before serving, Cut cheesecake into cubes if desired, and drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate for chocolate to harden.

NEW YORK STYLE MARBLE CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CRUST

Steps:

• Cream together cream cheese& eggs.
• Make sure they are both at room temperature.
• if possible this will prevent lumps.
• Add in sugar and vanilla and mix.
• In separate bowl, combine crushed cookies with melted butter.
• In large springform pan, press the cookies mixture only in the bottom of the pan (Not the sides).
• Reserve 1/4 of the batter and set aside.
• Pour remaining batter into the pan on top of crust.
• Take reserved mixture and mix in melted choc.
• Swirl in this chocolate mixture by pouring it on top of the white batter and using a knife to make a swirl pattern.
• Bake at 300°F for 50 minutes.
• Let cool for 2 hours.
• Combine 6 oz of chocolate chips and sour cream and ice cooled cake.

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE WITH LORNA DOONE COOKIE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• For Crust:.
• Finely crush entire pkg of cookies, mix in the butter. This can be done in a food processor on pulse. Butter the sides of the springform pan. Press the cookie mixture into bottom of 9 inch springform pan. DO NOT BAKE.
• For Filling:.
• Beat together cream cheese, sugar, flour and zests (if using). Add the 5 eggs and 2 egg yolks one at a time. Add the vanilla into the cream, and then add the cream to the cheese mixture. Beat on low speed (it's easiest to use a counter top heavy duty mixer) until all ingredients are incorporated.
• Place the springform pan with crust in the center of a shallow baking pan (to avoid oven drips). Pour filling into crust, it will be completely full. Place in the middle of oven for 12 minutes. Reduce oven temp to 250F and continue baking (approx. 1 hr to 1 hr 15 mins) until the center is mostly firm but still has a slight jiggle. (A little jiggle is good, if you overbake it you will end up with cracks that can be covered with a nice fruit topping to hide your sin).
• After removing from oven, run a knife around the edge and cool on a rack for 6 hours Remove side of springform pan and transer to a flat plate.
• It can be kept refrigerated for up to 2 weeks (good luck on it still being around), but is best served after allowing to return to room temperature.