Junior’s Cheesecake & Cookie Crumb Crust

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Filling:
4 8-ounce packages cream cheese (the regular variety not light Neufchatel cream cheese), at room temperature
1 2/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions for the Cream Cheese Filling:
1. Make Cookie Crumb Crust (see recipe below) and press a generous amount into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Adjust oven to 300 degrees.
2. Make the cream cheese filling: Place one 8-ounce package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, then beat in the remaining 3 packages of cream cheese.

3. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, then beat in the vanilla and heavy cream. Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating the bating only until completely blended (just like they do at Junior's). Be careful not to over mix the batter.

4. Gently spoon the cheese filling on top of the crumb crust. Place the springform pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes about 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Bake the cheesecake until the center barely jiggles or the temperature in the center is 150 degrees F, about 1 ½ hours.

5. Cool the cake on a wire rack for 1 hour. Then cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it's completely cold, at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove the sides of the springform pan.

6. Slide the cake off of the bottom of the pan onto a serving plate. Or if you wish, simply leave the cake on the removable bottom of the pan and place it on a serving plate. If any cake is left over, cover it with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.

*I like to serve with fresh raspberries and blackberries (About an hour before serving, I toss them with some sugar and let them macerate in the fridge so they’re a bit saucy)
Makes Enough for One 9-Inch Cake, About 2 1/2 Inches High

Cookie Crumb Crust

Ingredients:
2 c. flour
1 c. melted butter or margarine
½ c. brown sugar
½ c. chopped nuts

Directions:
Melt butter. Add remaining ingredients. Press into 13” X 9” pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until brown. Remove and crumble crust with fork. Use like graham cracker crust or sprinkle on for crunchy topping.