New York-Style Cheesecake

🥘 Ingredients

• shortbread crust 1
• egg white 1
• cream cheese 2 ½ lbs
• sugar 1 ¾ cups
• all-purpose flour (optional) 3 Tbsp
• lemon zest 1 tsp
• vanilla ½ tsp
• eggs 5 large
• egg yolks 2 large
• heavy cream ½ cup

1. 1

   Do not be afraid of the extreme oven temperature - the surface of the cake will be golden, with a creamy interior. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch spring-form pan . Prepare the dough for shortbread crust .
2. 2

   Press one-third of the dough, or slightly less, over the bottom of the pan as evenly as possible. Prick the dough all over with a fork . Bake until the crust is light golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes . Let cool completely on a rack . Press the remaining dough about 1/8 inch thick around the sides of the pan, making sure that it is attached to the bottom crust all around. Brush the bottom and sides of the crust with 1 well beaten egg white .
3. 3

   Refrigerate the crust if you are not filling it right away. Have all of the ingredients at room temperature, about 70°F. Preheat the oven to 500°F.
4. 4

   Beat in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds cream cheese .
5. 5

   Scrape the sides of the bowl and the beaters well. Gradually add and beat until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes sugar and all-purpose flour (optional) , if you prefer a denser texture.
6. 6

   Beat in lemon zest and vanilla .
7. 7

   Beat in one at a time just until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl and the beaters after each addition eggs and egg yolks .
8. 8

   On low speed, beat in heavy cream .
9. 9

   Scrape the batter into the crust and smooth the top. Bake for 15 minutes at 500°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 200°F and bake for 1 hour more. Turn the oven off, prop the oven door ajar with the handle of a wooden spoon , and let the cake cool in the oven for 30 minutes . Remove to a rack and let completely in the pan before unmolding. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours , preferably 24 hours, before serving. The cheese flavor is even more intense after 48 hours.