Classic Cheesecake

For the crust:

Arrange a rack in the lower-middle position of the oven and heat the oven to 350F/176C.

Coat a small pat of butter all over the bottom and sides of a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan. Cut 2 large pieces of foil and place them on your work surface on top of each other in a cross. Set the springform pan in the middle and fold the edges of the foil up and around the sides of the pan. (The foil gives you extra protection against water getting into the pan during the water bath step!)

Crush 12 whole graham crackers in a food processor (or in a bag using a rolling pin) until they form fine crumbs — you should have 1 1/2 to 2 cups. Melt 5 tablespoons butter in the microwave or on the stovetop and mix this into the graham cracker crumbs. The mixture should look like wet sand and hold together in a clump when you press it in your fist. If not, add extra tablespoons of water (one at a time) until the mixture holds together. Transfer it into the springform pan and use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press it evenly into the bottom. (For step-by-step instructions of this step, see How to Make a Graham Cracker Crust.)

Place the crust in the oven (be careful not to tear the foil). Bake until the crust is fragrant and just starting to brown around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Let the crust cool on a cooling rack while you prepare the filling.

Place 2 pounds cream cheese, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until the mixture is creamy, like thick frosting, and no lumps of cream cheese remain. Scrape down the beater and the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

Add 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat on medium-low speed until combined and creamy. Scrape down the beater and sides of the bowl with a spatula.

With the mixer on medium-low speed, beat in 3 large eggs and 1 egg yolk one at a time. Wait until the previous egg is just barely mixed into the batter before adding the next one. At first, the mixture will look clumpy and broken, but it will come together as the eggs are worked in.

Scrape down the beater and sides of the bowl with a spatula. (Yes, again!) Stir the whole batter a few times by hand, being sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl, to make sure everything is incorporated. The finished batter should be thick, creamy, and silky. Don’t worry if you see a few specks of un-mixed cream cheese here and there; they will melt into the batter during baking and won’t affect the finished cheesecake.

Check to make sure the crust and the sides of the pan are cool — if they’re cool enough to comfortably touch, you can go on. Pour the batter over the cooled crust and spread it into an even layer.

Transfer the pan to a roasting pan or other baking dish big enough to hold it. Bring a few cups of water to a boil and pour the water into the roasting pan, being careful not to splash any water onto the cheesecake. Fill the pan to about an inch, or just below the lowest edge of foil.

Bake the cheesecake for 50 to 60 minutes. Cakes baked in a 10-inch pan will usually cook in 50 to 55 minutes; cakes in a 9-inch pan will cook in 55 to 60 minutes. The cheesecake is done when the outer two to three inches look slightly puffed and set, but the inner circle still jiggles (like Jell-O) when you gently shake the pan. Some spots of toasted golden color are fine, but if you see any cracks starting to form, move on to the next step right away.

Leave the cheesecake in the oven. Turn off the oven and crack the door open or prop it open with a wooden spoon. Let the cheesecake cool slowly for 1 hour.

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and from the water bath, unwrap the foil, and transfer it to a cooling rack. Run a thin-bladed knife around the edge of the cake to make sure it’s not sticking to the sides (which can cause cracks as it cools). Let the cheesecake cool completely on the rack.

Chill the cheesecake, uncovered, for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days in the refrigerator. This step is crucial for letting the cheesecake set and achieving perfect cheesecake texture — don’t rush it.

Take the cheesecake out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to serve. Unmold the cake and top the cheesecake just before serving. You can serve the cake right from the bottom of the springform pan, or use a large off-set spatula to gently unstick the crust from the pan and transfer it to a serving platter.