NEW YORK CHEESECAKE  

Beat together: 

   3 - 8 ounce bars of cream cheese, softened 

   1 1/2 cups sugar 

Add one at a time: 

   4 eggs (warmed to room temperature in a bowl of warm water) 

   1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Beat mixture 20 minutes (really). 

Make crust while this is beating. 

Crust: 

  1 cup graham cracker crumbs 

  1 teaspoon cinnamon 

  1/4 cup melted butter 

Mix together and pat into the bottom of a springform pan.   

Pour in filling and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. 

Topping (optional) 

  16 ounces (2 cups) sour cream 

  1 teaspoon vanilla 

  1/2 cup sugar 

Mix together pour on top of cheese cake and bake 10 minutes longer. 

When completely cooled may be topped with a can of pie filling such as cherry, blueberry, strawberry, etc.