OLD-FASHIONED CHEESECAKE

Old-Fashioned Cheesecake image

"For variety, I like to use fresh fruit- strawberries, kiwi, raspberries, blueberries, etc.- on top of this cheesecake," says Marian Levin of Los Altos, California.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h10m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1-1/3 cups whole almonds, toasted and ground
3/4 cup crushed vanilla wafers
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
TOPPING:
2 cups sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted fresh fruit

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine almonds and wafer crumbs; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat in vanilla and lemon zest just until blended. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set., Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla; carefully spread over filling. Bake 10 minutes longer or until edges appear dry. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Cover and chill overnight. Remove sides of pan. Top with fresh fruit. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 582 calories, Fat 45g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 180mg cholesterol, Sodium 268mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (26g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 11g protein.