Ingredients

  • "Prepare this sensational cake one day before you plan to serve it."
  • For crust:
  • 3/4 cup hazelnuts, toasted (if not available, can use toasted pecans, almonds, or walnuts).
  • 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • For filling:
  • 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
  • Lemon slices (optional)
  • Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

Directions

Make crust:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350F. (325 F for dark pans). Finely grind nuts, cracker crumbs and powdered sugar in processor.Add butter; blend using on/off turns until crumbs are moist. Press crumbs onto bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Chill while making filling.

Make filling:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Slowly add sugar; beat until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating 30 seconds after each. Mix in lemon juice and peel.
Pour filling into crust. Bake cake until outer 2-inch portion of top is set and center looks slightly glossy and is barely set, about 45 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool to room temperature. Cover; chill overnight.
Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Release pan sides. Place cake on plate. Top with lemon and mint, if desired.
Serves 8 to 10.

Bon Appitit
March 1997




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Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: Bon Appitit
Submitted By: Meryl
merstarunicorn11@hotmail.com
LEMON CHEESECAKE WITH HAZELNUT CRUST