Everyone's Favorite New York-Style Cheesecake

TO MAKE THE CRUST

Step 1

Mix cookie crumbs and graham cracker crumbs in food processor fitted with metal blade. Mix in butter until well blended. Or, mix cookie crumbs and graham cracker crumbs in a medium-size bowl.

Step 2

Stir in butter. Press evenly over bottom an three quarters up sides of springform pan. (It is not important that the top edges be even.)

Step 3

Refrigerate while preparing filling.

TO MAKE THE FILLING

Step 4

Beat all the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, stopping several times to scrape down sides of bowl and beaters.

Step 5

Beat in eggs one at a time. Srape down sides of bowl and beaters.

Step 6

Add lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy. The mixture will be thin. Pour into prepared crust. Do not be concerned if it does not come to top of crumbs.

Step 7

Place pan on baking sheet. Bake in the 350-degrees Fahrenheit oven for 45 - 50 minutes or until center 4 inches of cake jiggle when cake is lightly shaken and cake feels bouncy and rebounds slightly when lightly pressed with fingertips. It will look underdone, but will firm up as it cools.

Step 8

Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet in draft-free place for 45 minutes.

Step 9

Heat oven to 450-degrees Fahrenheit.

TO MAKE THE TOPPING

Step 10

Whisk together sour cream, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla and salt in medium-size bowl. After cake has cooled for 45 minutes, pour topping over cake.

Step 11

Bake in 450-degrees oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet in draft-free place until it reaches room temperature.

Step 12

The crust will weep slightly as it cools. Cover top with foil and let stand at room temperature at least 8 hours or overnight before serving.

NOTE: The cake may be refrigerated up to 5 days, if desired. Bring to room temperature several hours before serving.

Step 13

Before serving, melt jam in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Spread evenly over top of cake. Remove cake from springform pan. Garnish with sliced almonds, if desired. Serve at room temperature.

VARIATION: Amaretti cookies may be omitted from the crust. Make graham cracker crust by mixing together 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs with 1/4 lb. (1 stick) melted butter.