New York cheesecake

Steps

1. 1

   Position an oven shelf in the middle of the oven and preheat to 160°C 160 °C · 320 °F · Gas 3 · Medium heat (fan) / 180°C 180 °C · 356 °F · Gas 4 · Medium heat (conventional). Line the base of a 23 cm springform pan with parchment paper.

2. 2

   For the crust, melt the butter in a medium pan. Stir in the biscuit crumbs and sugar until evenly moistened. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

3. 3

   For the filling, increase the oven temperature to 200°C 200 °C · 392 °F · Gas 6 · Medium heat (fan) / 240°C 240 °C · 464 °F · Gas 9 · High heat (conventional). In a mixer, beat the soft cheese at medium-low speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, gradually add the sugar, then the flour and a pinch of salt, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the paddle twice.

4. 4

   Swap the paddle for the whisk. Continue by adding the vanilla, lemon zest and juice. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl and whisk at least twice. Stir in the 284 ml carton of soured cream until smooth, then measure 200 ml (just over 3/4 of the carton). Continue on low speed as you add the measured soured cream (reserve the rest). Whisk to blend, but don't over-beat. The batter should be smooth, light and somewhat airy.

5. 5

   Brush the sides of the springform tin with melted butter and put on a baking sheet. Pour in the filling—if there are any lumps, sink them using a knife—the top should be as smooth as possible. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 90°C 90 °C · 194 °F · Low heat (fan) / 110°C 110 °C · 230 °F · Low heat (conventional) and bake for 25 minutes more. If you gently shake the tin, the filling should have a slight wobble. Turn off the oven and open the oven door for a cheesecake that's creamy in the centre, or leave it closed if you prefer a drier texture. Let cool in the oven for 2 hours. The cheesecake may get a slight crack on top as it cools.

6. 6

   Combine the reserved soured cream with the 142 ml carton, the sugar and lemon juice for the topping. Spread over the cheesecake right to the edges. Cover loosely with foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

7. 7

   Run a round-bladed knife around the sides of the tin to loosen any stuck edges. Unlock the side, slide the cheesecake off the bottom of the tin onto a plate, then slide the parchment paper out from underneath.