Classic American Cheesecake

== Description ==
=== Ingredients ===
* 2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature 
* 1 cup Sugar 
* 1 teaspoon vanilla 
* 1/2 teaspoon salt 
* 4 large eggs 
* 1 lemon, zest of, of finely grated 
Crust 
* 1/3 cup unsalted butter 
* 1 1/2 cups dry cookie crumbs, such as gingersnaps or graham crackers 
* 3 tablespoons Sugar 
* melted butter, for brushing pan 
== Directions ==
# Preheat oven to 300 degrees. 
# Brush a 9-inch springform pan generously with melted butter. 
# For crust: 
# Melt butter, stir in cookie crumbs and Sugar. 
# Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan, spreading evenly with the back of a spoon. 
# Bake until lightly toasted- about 13–15 minutes. 
# Remove from oven and cool. 
# For the cheesecake: 
# In an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until soft.
# Add Sugar, vanilla and salt. 
# Add eggs one at a time, beating until smooth and scraping down the sides after each addition. 
# Stir in zest. 
# Pour batter into springform pan and bake until done. 
# Turn oven off and leave door slightly open for 1 hour. 
# Transfer to refrigerator and chill overnight. 
# Remove sides of springform and cake on pan base. 
== See also ==
Category:American Desserts
Category:Cheesecake Recipes
Category:Cream cheese Recipes
Category:Dessert Recipes