FRESH PEACH CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• 1. Crust: Add butter to graham cracker crumbs and stir until evenly moistened. Press crumbs over bottom and 1 inch up sides of a 9 inch spring form pan. Bake crust at 350 degrees about 8 minutes or until crust is beginning to brown. Cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
• 2. Filling: Combine peaches, 2 tbsp. sugar, and lemon juice in heavy large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and peaches are juicy, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until peaches are tender and juices thicken, about 5 minutes. Cool compote.
• 3. Using, electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon half of cheese mixture (about 3 cups) into crust. Spoon peach compote over by tablespoonfuls, spacing apart. Top with remaining cheese mixture.
• 4. Place large piece of foil on oven rack. Place pan with cheesecake on foil. Bake until puffed, set in center, and beginning to brown, about 1 1/4 hours. Place hot cheesecake on rack; cool 5 minutes, then run small sharp knife around pan sides to loose. Place cheesecake, uncovered, on rack in refrigerator and chill overnight. Can make up to 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
• 5. GLAZE: Combine preserves and lemon juice in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until glaze comes to a simmer. Strain into a small bowl. Release pan sides; place cheesecake on platter. Spread glaze over top of cheesecake to within 1/4 inch of edge. Chill cheesecake until glaze sets., at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. Arrange peach slices in center of cake. To prevent cheesecake from splitting on top, place a shallow pan of water into the oven while cheesecake is baking.