Note: There was talk of cheesecake recipes on the bb and I told everyone that I had lots. Rebecca suggested I post a no-brainer recipe so here it is. This recipe is from the cooking section of The Atlanta-Journal. I'm afraid I didn't keep the name of the writer unless it is Mary Crownover. One thing about cheesecakes is that they are not that hard to make, they just involve alot of time cooking and chilling. So plan to make it the day before you want it or start early in the morning. They also freeze nicely and they will keep for a week in the fridge.

Serves 10 to 12

Crust:

• One and a half cups graham cracker crumbs
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (margarine works as well)
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Filling:

• One and a half pounds of cream cheese (low fat or no fat are fine really)
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
• 4 eggs

Topping:

• 1 pint (2 cups) sour cream (low fat works - tastes good too :-)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl,crumbs, sugar, and butter with a fork; press firmly over bottomand partway up sides of a 9 inch spring form pan.

In a mixer bowl with electric mixer, blend cream cheese,cup of sugar, and the 2 teaspoons vanilla until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating at lowest mixer speed after each addition. Turn into crumb-lined pan and bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned and pulling away from the sides of the pan. Middle will still be slightly unset.

Turn off oven and open oven door. Let cake cool in oven 30 minutes to an hour. When cool, remove cake from oven and preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, mix sour cream with 2 tablespoons sugar and one half teaspoon vanilla and spread over cake,at edges of pan. Return cake to preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes, no longer. The sour cream topping congeals when cake cools. Chill 4 hours or overnight. You can serve this cake as is or you can add any topping you wish. For instance strawberries, blueberries kiwis,, or you can drizzle melted chocolate on top and add chocolate shavings. Be creative and use whatever you like.

Happy eating

Shy