Authentic Pagliacci’s New York Style Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ¼ cups graham wafer crumbs (it’s also good with vanilla wafer crumbs)
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• Filling
• 40 ounces cream cheese (5 pkg), room temperature
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 5 eggs, room temperature
• 2 egg yolks
• ¼ cup whipping cream

How to make it :

1. Mix crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter, and press into a 10″ springform pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Preheat oven to 500ºF.
3. Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer in large bowl until very smooth. Blend in lemon juice and vanilla.
4. Sift sugar, flour, and salt together and gradually beat into cheese.
5. Beat until creamy, smooth and light, about 5 minutes.
6. Beat in eggs and yolks one at a time. Blend in cream. Pour into crust.
7. Bake 12 minutes.
8. Reduce oven temperature to 200ºF. Continue baking until tester inserted in center comes out clean.
9. The original recipe said for 45 minutes but I find that it takes longer.
10. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan.
11. Cool cake completely and refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving.