Classic Dreamy Cheesecake

Note: Today is my sweet niece, Jonna's 17th birthday. She LOVES cheesecake. Enough said.

Classic Dreamy Cheesecake

For the filling:

3 (8oz) packages of Philadelphia cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tbsp good vanilla extract

3 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

For the crust:

about 1/2 a box of Nilla wafers

1 stick (1/2 cup)unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Make the crust: In a food processor, blend the Nilla wafers until finely ground. Add the rest of the ingredient for the crust. Pulse the food processor until all ingredients are fully incorporated and small clumps appear.

Pour the cookie mixture into a 9-inch spring form pan. Evenly spread the crumb mixture around the pan then, using a flat bottomed measuring cup or glass, firmly press down on the mixture working all the way around the pan and up the sides to create an evenly thick crust.

Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes or until crust begins to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for half an hour before adding filling to the crust.

Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Make sure the highest rake is positioned in the middle of the oven.

While the crust is cooling, make the filling: Add the softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat the cream cheese with an electric beater or stand mixer at medium speed until nice and workable, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and continue to beat at medium until fully creamed together, another 1-2 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat until thoroughly combined and smooth.

Once the crust has cooled, pour in the filling and spread evenly through out the crust using a rubber spatula.

Place the cheesecake into a large roasting pan. Add enough water to the roasting pan to go halfway up the side of the spring form pan to create a water bath , being careful not to pour water into the cheesecake itself! Bake the cheesecake at 325 degrees for about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, until completely set.

Carefully remove the pan from the oven and the spring form pan from the roasting pan. Allow the cheesecake to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. Transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerate and chill for at least 12 hours before serving.

Serve with your favorite topping. Enjoy!