Classic Cheesecake with Pastry Crust

Prep

30-60 mins

Total

4 HRS 25 MIN

Servings

12 Servings


Ingredients

1/3 cup

butter or margarine, softened

1/3 cup

sugar

4 

eggs, divided

1-1/2 tsp

grated lemon zest, divided

2 tsp

lemon juice, divided

1 cup

flour

3 pkg

(8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 cup

sugar

2 tbsp

flour

2 tbsp

milk


Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F if using a silver 9-inch springform pan (or to 325°F if using a dark nonstick 9-inch springform pan). Beat butter and 1/3 cup sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Blend in 1 of the eggs, 1/2 tsp. of the lemon peel and 1 tsp. of the lemon juice. Add 1 cup flour; mix well. Reserve 3/4 cup of the dough; cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Press remaining dough firmly onto bottom of springform pan. Bake 10 minutes; cool. Press reserved dough 2 inches up side of pan. Increase oven temperature to 450°F (or to 425°F if using a dark nonstick pan).

Step 2

Beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. flour, remaining 1 tsp. lemon peel and remaining 1 tsp. lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add remaining 3 eggs, 1 at a time, mixing just until blended after each addition. Blend in milk; pour into crust.

Step 3

Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250°F (or to 225°F for a dark nonstick pan); continue baking 40 minutes. Run small knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.