Feed Your Feelings: Cheesecake
I think everyone has a dish that evokes happiness the moment they see it. One of mine is cheesecake, and as soon as I spot a big beauty, my heart flutters. What is it about that creamy goodness that makes me want to stop everything and grab a spoon? I guess it’s comforting – something to wipe away sadness or stress, with one bite holding the power to transform.




New York Style Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 4 8 oz. Cream cheese (full fat, Philadelphia Brand, ideally)
- 1 1/2 c. Granulated sugar
- 4 Eggs, extra large
- 1 Tb. Pure vanilla extract
- 4 Tb. All-purpose flour
- 3/4 c. Whole milk
- 1 pint Sour cream (full fat)
- 1 tsp. Lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
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Remove cream cheese, eggs, milk and sour cream from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before preparing this cake (it takes at least 1 hour).
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When all ingredients are soft/at room temperature, preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly butter a 10" springform pan.
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Using a standup mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add softened cream cheese to the bowl and mix a few times. Add sugar; mix until combined. Scrape sides with rubber spatula and mix on low speed until combined.
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Add eggs, one at a time, allowing batter to incorporate each before adding another. Scrape sides and continue mixing on low speed.
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Add vanilla and flour; mix to incorporate, scrape down sides.
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Add milk and sour cream (and lemon zest, if using) and mix until everything is smooth.
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Pour mixture into prepared springform pan and place in oven 1 hour.
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At 1 hour, turn off heat, open oven door and allow cheesecake to sit in the oven 1 hour.
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Remove from oven, cool about 20 minutes, then remove springform pan. Allow to sit at room temperature 1 hour. Best to chill overnight and serve the next day.
Notes
Fill a tall glass/plastic cup with hot water. Dip a very sharp knife into the water to warm it, dry it with a paper towel, then make one cut into the cake (the full length of a slice) going all the way down to the base, then pull the knife back towards you from the base (i.e., don't raise the knife) to remove it. Dip the knife into the water to rinse, wipe it with a paper towel and repeat the process until all your pieces are cut!
As an alternate, use a large piece of unflavored dental floss to cut each piece!