Rose's Brooklyn Cheesecake

Everyone's claims that their mom makes the best cheesecake in the world. Well, guess what? I'm no exception. My mom's cheesecake IS the best you've ever eaten if you like the dense New York variety.
My mom was born and raised in Brooklyn. For those of you that are from there or have been there, you know that's where the best of the best comes from. From bagels & bialys to knishes & pizza...you can't beat the flavor of all things Brooklyn.

Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients...

• 1 1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 4 tablespoons melted butter (OR margarine)
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar (OR 1.5 tablespoons Splenda Brown Sugar Blend)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  

Here's how you do it...

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl...Add the melted butter and brown sugar to the Graham Cracker Crumbs.
3. Mix until blended thoroughly.
4. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9" spring form pan. (OR by spoonfuls into a cupcake pan lined with papers.)
5. Bake at 350F 8-10 minutes.

Cheesecake
Ingredients...

• 1 pound (2 cups) pressed cottage cheese (farmer cheese)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar (I use Splenda Sugar Substitute)
• 1/2 cup milk ( I use skim milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

Here's how you do it...

1. Reduce the oven temperature to 300F
2. Put all ingredients in your blender and mix for a couple of minutes or until smooth.
3. Pour the batter onto the prepared crust in the spring form pan or cupcake papers.
4. Bake for:
   

• 45 minutes at 300 degrees F for spring form pan
• 20-25 minutes at 300F for standard cupcakes
• 15-20 minutes at 300F for mini cupcakes

Topping
Ingredients...

• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1/4 cups sugar (OR Splenda Sugar Substiture)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Here's how you do it...

1. Mix the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla.
2. When the cheese cake is done, spread the mixture on top.
3. Return the cake to the oven for another 7 or 8 minutes.
4. Allow to cool and then refrigerate.

Get creative... top your cheese cake with the pie filling of your choice. Cherry works great!

For a double recipe...
Increase lemon juice to almost 1/3 cup.
Increase baking time to one hour.