Tips

• This is a measurements matter kinda recipe.
  • If I say this, the tsp/Tbsp etc. are level unless stated.

Ingredients

• 300 g plain sweet biscuits crushed
• 100 g unsalted butter melted
• 750 g full fat cream cheese room temp
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla essence
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 4 eggs room temp
• 250g full fat sour cream

PRO TIP

Baked cheesecakes aren’t that difficult. Recipes often have the temperature too high. Water baths are often not necessary. Keep the temperature down. 140°C in a fan bake oven is plenty.

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 140 degrees celsius or 285 degrees fahrenheit with a fan forced oven (160 degrees celsius or 320 degrees fahrenheit if using a conventional oven).
• Grease and then line the base and sides of a 23cm spring-form pan with non-stick baking paper (see recipe tips below).
• Finely crush the biscuits in a food processor and then place into a large bowl.
• Add the melted butter and mix thoroughly until well combined.
• Spoon half of the biscuit crumbs onto the base of the prepared tin. Use a glass to press the mixture down evenly (you will also need to use a spoon to press the edges down firmly).
• Press the remaining half of the mixture firmly up the sides of the pan (leaving a small 1cm gap near the top).
• Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon rind with electric beaters until just combined (don’t over-beat).
• Gently beat in the flour followed by the eggs (1 at a time). Beat until just combined.
• Stir through the sour cream until combined.
• Gently pour the cheesecake mixture into the base of the tin.
• Place the the tin onto a baking tray and bake for 1 ¼ hours or until just set in the centre. Do not open the oven during the cooking time or the cheesecake will crack and sink (see recipe tips below).
• Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven with the door closed for 2 hours.
• Place the cheesecake onto the bench until completely cooled before placing into the fridge (still in the baking tin).
• After a minimum of 4 hours in the fridge (preferably overnight), carefully remove the cheesecake from the baking tin and remove the baking paper.