Nina’s NY Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS 

   Crust

•          1 Box Pamela’s (Gluten Free) Lemon Shortbread Cookies (ground to crumbs)
•          3 TBL  melted butter
•          Sprinkle of Cinnamon

         Mix together crust ingredients and press into bottom and 1/2 up sides of spring pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Cool and set aside.

Filling

•          1 Cup  Sugar
•          2  8 oz. Cream Cheeses (softened)
•          3 eggs
•          1 Pt. Sour Cream
•          1 teas. Vanilla
•          3 TBL Lemon Juice
•          Cinnamon

         In large mixing bowl, blend together  cream cheese and sugar.  Add (well beaten) eggs one at a time.  When well mixed, add sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice.  Beat on Medium until smooth.  Then, beat on high speed until a little bubbly (about one minute).  Pour into pan and sprinkle top with a little cinnamon. 

         Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Turn off oven and let set in oven with ought disturbing for one hour.  DO NOT OPEN DOOR.  Set at room temperature for 45 minutes and then place in refrigerator. Chill over night.  Serve as is or topped with fruit pie filling.

         (Lemon cookie crust can be substituted with your favorite graham cracker crust.)

         * Pamela’s brand cookies are made with rice flour and can be found in health food stores.

         ** Omit the crust altogether and this recipe is just as good, if not better.