~FABULOUS FOODIE FRIDAY~

Each Friday- food is going to be the theme of the day. I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes with you. I am definitely a foodie and LOVE to try new things. Sweets are my weakness (I am ashamed to admit) and I am chocoholic BIG time. Don't be surprised if you see lots of dessert recipes!

Cheesecake is one of my personal favorites and when spring and summer come- it is the perfect dessert to help cool you down. Particularly this week with the 90 degree temps we have had here in Virginia. Try this one out:

Citrus Cheesecake

12-14 ServingsPrep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 65 min. + chillingIngredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel



FILLING

5 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

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1-3/4 cups sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 eggs, lightly beaten

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream



TOPPING

1-1/2 cups (about 12 ounces) sour cream

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Combine flour and lemon peel; gradually add to creamed mixture. Mix until dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Divide dough in half; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

Remove sides of a 9-in. springform pan. Grease bottom. Between waxed paper, roll one half dough to fit bottom of pan. Peel off top paper; invert dough onto bottom of pan. Remove paper; trim dough to fit pan.

Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes or until light browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Attach sides of the pan and grease sides. Pat remaining dough 1-1/2 in. up sides of pan, pressing dough to bottom crust to seal.

For filling, in another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, peels and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs and yolks; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in cream just until combined. Pour into crust. Return pan to baking sheet.

Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325°; bake 55-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Combine topping ingredients; spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight. Yield: 12-14 servings.



Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 slice) equals 442 calories, 25 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 196 mg cholesterol, 165 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 7 g protei

ENJOY!!!