CHEESECAKE!

I thought I loved cheesecake before I got married...and then we had a cheesecake reception and NOW I know what it is to love cheesecake:) One of the first "dates" Alan and I ever had he came over to Jas and Katy's house while I was babysitting the boys to make a cheesecake for a dinner he was going to with friends...Naturally I thought that after I helped make the cheesecake I'd get invited to join the dinner fun...NEGATORY!!! I had to marry the guy to get to taste his cheesecake...it was worth the wait as it turns out:) Alan is a crust making master! ...One of my favorite parts :) and he also has the patience of Job! All that beating and beating and beating...I do love cheesecake... :)


Crust:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Grease inside of 9" springform pan 3 inches high.

1 c flour - sifted
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp lemon peel - grated (zest)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup butter/margerine

Mix flour, sugar, lemon peel, vanilla. Make well in center. Blend yolk and butter separately. Add to flour mixture and blend with finger until smooth. Divide in half.

1st half:
Ball in bottom of springform pan. Put wax paper on top, press and roll out to edge. Stab with fork a few times. Bake 6-8 minutes or until golden brown. WATCH IT LIKE A HAWK! IT BURNS EASY! Let cool.

2nd half:
Divide into three parts. Cut 6 strips of 3"x9" wax paper. Make dough into ropes by rolling with hands. Place between wax paper and roll until 2 1/2"x9". Put springform sides onto baked, cooled crust. Put 9" stripes onto sides all the way around with tips overlapping and touching bottom crust. Set pan aside.

FILLING:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Let all ingredients warm to room temperature.

5 8oz packs cream cheese
1 3/4 c sugar
3 Tbs flour
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp vanilla
5 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 c Heavy whipping cream (can also use Half and Half...it's cheaper:))
2 Tbps cornstarch (optional...it helps keep the top from cracking)

In a large bowl blend cream cheese, sugar, flour, zests, and vanilla at high speed until smooth (like Ferrari speeds!). When smooth beat in eggs ONE AT A TIME. Add egg yolks in like manner. Beat in heavy cream. BEAT TO DEATH!!!!!!! (Beat approximately 3 minutes/egg.)
Pour into springform pan. Bake 10 minutes at 450, lower temp to 250. Bake 1 - 1 1/2 hours until top is firm. Let cool 2-3 hours. Chill overnight. EAT YER HEART OUT!!