Janettes Favorite Cheesecake Recipes

JUNIOR'S FAMOUS CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Sponge cake: Preheat the oven to 350 F and generously butter a 9-inch springform pan.
• Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt together ina medium sized bowl and set aside.
• Beat the egg yolks together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high for 3 minutes.
• Then, with the mixer still running, gradually add the 1/3 cup of sugar and continue beating until thick light-yellow ribbons form in the bowl, about 5 minutes more.
• Beat in the vanilla and lemon extracts.
• Sift the flour mixture over the batter and stir it in by hand until mo more white flecks appear.
• Then blend in the butter.
• In a clean bowl, using clean dry beaters, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high until frothy.
• Gradually add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the whites should stand up in stiff peaks, but not be dry).
• Stir about 1/3 cup of the whites into the batter, then gently fold in the remaining whites (don't worry if a few white specks remain).
• Gently spoon the batter into the pan.
• Bake the cake just until the center of the cake springs back when lightly touched, only about 10 minutes (watch carefully!) Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack while you continue making the cheesecake filling.
• Do not remove the cake from the pan.
• Cream Cheese Filling---------------.
• Place one 8-ounce package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch in a large bowl.
• Beat with an electric mixer on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, then beat in the remaining 3 packages of the cream cheese.
• Increase the mixer speed to high and beat in the remaining 1 1/3 cups of the sugar, then beat in the vanilla.
• Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating the batter well after each one.
• Blend in heavy cream.
• At this point mix the filling only until completely blended (just like they do at Junior's) Be careful not to overmix the batter.
• Gently spoon the cheese filling on top of the baked sponge cake layer.
• Place the springform pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes about 1 inch up the side of the pan.
• Bake the cheesecake until the center barely jiggles when you shake the pan, about 1 hour.
• Cool the cake on a wire rack for 1 hour.
• Then cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it's completely cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Remove the sides of the springform pan.
• Slide the cake off of the bottom of the pan onto a serving plate.
• Or, if you wish, simply leave the cake on the removable bottom of the pan and place it on a serving plate.
• Store any leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator.

JOEY'S CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.)
• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in yogurt. Pour filling into crust.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until filling is set. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

DONNA'S FAMOUS CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs and the butter or margarine with your hands. Flatten out crust on the bottom of the springform pan.
• In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in sweetened condensed milk and mix until combined well. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla, and continue to beat. Mix until very smooth, and pour mixture into the springform pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs over the top of the batter.
• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand and cool. Refrigerate to chill.

JUNIOR'S MOST FAMOUS CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Mix 7/8 cup sugar with 3 tablespoons corn starch. Add to 1 pound and 14 ounces cream cheese and mix. Add 1 extra large egg and blend. Then add 1/2 cup heavy cream a little at a time and mix. Then add 3/4 teaspoons vanilla and mix.
• Add ingredients to well greased 7-inch pan with sponge cake on bottom of pan. Bake at 450 degrees for approximately 40 to 45 minutes until top is golden brown. Cool for about 3 hours. To simplify removal from cake pan, allow to fully cool overnight if possible, then reheat in 200 degree oven for 1 or 2 minutes, turn cake upside down and the cake will just slide out.

JUNIOR'S ORIGINAL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Generously butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan.
• Lightly coat the bottom of the pan with the graham cracker crumbs and refrigerate pan.
• In large bowl, combine the sugar and cornstarch.
• Beat in cream cheese, then beat in egg.
• Slowly drizzle in the heavy cream, beating constantly.
• Add vanilla and stir well.
• Pour the mixture into prepared pan and bake until top is golden, 40-45 minutes.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for 3 hours.

SANTA'S FAVORITE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Combine graham crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hr.
• Meanwhile, combine cranberries, orange juice and remaining sugar and vanilla in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1 min. or until sugar is dissolved. Simmer over medium-low heat 6 to 8 min. or until cranberries are softened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, dissolve cornstarch in water. Add to cranberry mixture; mix well. Cook 30 sec. to 1 min. or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in orange zest. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Spoon cranberry topping over slices of cheesecake just before serving.