Classic Philadelphia Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 0.33 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 (8 ounce) packages PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 eggs eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and gather all the necessary ingredients.
2. Combine cookie crumbs, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Press the mixture firmly onto the base of a 9-inch nonstick springform pan to create the crust.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until each egg is just incorporated. Gently pour the cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until the center of the cheesecake is almost set, approximately 45 to 55 minutes.
6. Once baked, carefully loosen the cake from the rim of the springform pan. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before removing the rim.
7. Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours before slicing and serving. This chilling time allows the cheesecake to fully set and develop its flavor.