Sunset Key Lime Cheesecake
Instructions:
- Twenty−two (5 ounces) Graham Crackers, 2−inch square
- 3/4 Stick unsalted butter; melted (3 ounces)
- 3 Pound Cream cheese; at room temperature
- 2 Cup Granulated sugar
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1/4 Cup Half and half
- 1/4 Cup Key Lime juice
- Grated zest from 1 fresh lime
- TO MAKE THE CRUST:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease the bottom of a 10 x 3−inch springform pan with butter. Do not grease the sides of the pan.
- Wrap the outside of the pan with foil to prevent leakage. In a food processor, fitted with the steel blade attachment, pulverize the Graham crackers into crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a mixing bowl, add the melted butter and mix with a rubber spatula.
- Press the crumb mixture over the bottom of the springform pan, reaching all the way to the sides so it forms a seal against leakage.
- Bake for 10 minutes, remove and cool while you make the filling; lower the heat to 325 F.
- TO MAKE FILLING AND SWIRL TOP:
- With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the cream cheese and sugar for 2 minutes or until soft and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 15 seconds between additions to make sure each one is thoroughly incorporated.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for a minute longer.
- With the machine running, slowly beat in the half and half and then 2 tablespoons of the Key Lime juice.
- Set aside 1/2 cup of the cheesecake mixture to which you should add the remaining Key Lime juice and transfer this to a liquid measuring cup or pitcher.
- TO BAKE THE CAKE:
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust, then pour a thin stream of Key lime−boosted cheesecake mixture over the top and scatter the grated lime zest over that.
- With a toothpick or wooden skewer, swirl the key lime mixture and zest into the batter the way you would marbleize a cake.
- Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until the mixture is set; the cake will appear jiggly, but will firm up upon standing.
- TO COOL AND SERVE THE CAKE:
- Remove the cake from the oven and place on a rack to cool to room temperature in the pan.
- Unlock the springform and remove the cake, but leave the cake on the bottom of the pan.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving or before attempting to remove the cake from the springform bottom.