Grandmother's Cheesecake

4.6
(10)

A citrus cheesecake with a shortbread crust. It takes a long time of preparation but it is well worth the wait. If you can't find a vanilla bean, substitute 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract for each 1 inch piece of bean. You can top with any of your favorite fruits or toppings, or eat it plain. Summertime fresh fruits are nice, or chocolate lovers can spread on a layer of fudge topping.

Slice of cheesecake with strawberries on top and alongside
3
3
Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
16
Yield:
1 to 9 - inch springform pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • ¼ cup white sugar

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

  • ½ vanilla bean

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 1 egg yolk

  • 5 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

  • 1 ¾ cups white sugar

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons grated lemon zest

  • 1 ½ teaspoons grated orange zest

  • ½ vanilla bean

  • 5 eggs

  • 2 egg yolks

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon peel, and 1 teaspoon orange peel. Split a 1-inch piece of vanilla bean; scrape seeds into flour mixture. Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Add 1 egg yolk; stir until all flour is moistened. Gather dough into ball, wrap in wax paper, and refrigerate for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

  2. Lightly butter a 9 inch springform pan. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thick; trim to a 10 inch circle. Reserve pastry trimmings. Press pastry circle into bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9 inch buttered springform pan. Refrigerate 1 hour.

  3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake crust for 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.

  4. Beat cream cheese, 1 3/4 cups sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon peel and 1 1/2 teaspoons orange peel in large mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Split a 1 inch piece of vanilla bean and scrape seeds into cream cheese mixture. Beat in 5 eggs and 2 egg yolks, 1 at a time, on medium speed. Stir in cream.

  5. Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Roll out reserved pastry trimmings on lightly floured board; cut into strips 2 inches wide. Pat strips up side of pan, pressing dough lightly to baked crust. Pour filling into crust. Bake 15 minutes.

  6. Reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR! Bake until cheesecake is firm in center, about 50 minutes. Turn off oven; leave cheesecake in oven with door slightly open for 1 hour. Remove from oven, and cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

475 Calories
34g Fat
35g Carbs
9g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 475
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 34g 44%
Saturated Fat 21g 104%
Cholesterol 194mg 65%
Sodium 233mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 75mg 6%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 124mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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