1 Tbsp. melted butter
3 Tbsp. graham cracker crumbs
2 pounds cream cheese, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
4 eggs at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
Line bottom of 9" springform pan with foil, tuck foil underneath pan bottom, assemble pan, then pull foil up around sides of pan. Brush bottom and sides with butter and sprinkle with crumbs. Cover outside of pan with a sheet of heavy duty foil and set in large roasting pan. Bring kettle of water to boil.
Beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar gradually and beat on medium speed until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating until incorporated. Scrape bowl frequently. Add vanilla. Stir in cream and sour cream by hand.
Pour into pan. Set roasting pan on middle oven rack and pour in enough boiling water to come about halfway up side of springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 55-60 minutes, until perimeter is set and center jiggles like jell-o when pan is tapped. Turn off heat and open oven door, leaving ajar for 1 hour. Remove pan from water bath and set on wire rack to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours.
FOR DENSE CHEESECAKE:
Prepare as above, but follow these baking directions:
Pour into pan. Set pan on middle oven rack. Bake at 500 degrees for 10 minutes. Then reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees, leaving oven door open until oven temperature reduces. Bake until perimeter is set and center jiggles like jell-o when pan is tapped, about 1 hour longer. Turn off heat and open oven door, leaving ajar for 1 hour. Remove pan from oven and set on wire rack to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours.
FOR AIRY CHEESECAKE:
Separate eggs. Beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar gradually and beat on medium speed until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating until incorporated. Scrape bowl frequently. Add vanilla. Stir in cream and sour cream by hand.
Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold whites into batter.
Pour into pan. Set roasting pan on middle oven rack and pour in enough boiling water to come about halfway up side of springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes, until perimeter is set and center jiggles like jell-o when pan is tapped. Turn off heat and open oven door, leaving ajar for 1 hour. Remove pan from water bath and set on wire rack to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours.
