This New York-style cheesecake should be made a day ahead so that it can "cure" in the fridge. This step is very important and, though you'll be tempted to dip into your freshly made cheesecake, the wait will be well worth it.

Part 1

The Crust
3 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter (add more melted butter if crust seems too dry or won't pack)

Combine crust ingredients. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9" or 10" springform pan. Chill. (Now draw a deep breath and make a cup of tea. Part 1 is over.)

Part 2

Filling
5 250g pkgs. of cream cheese (room temperature)
2 cups of sugar
1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
2 tbsp. of lemon juice
1 tbsp. vanilla
4 eggs (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups of sour cream
(told ya it was rich!)

Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add cream, lemon juice and vanilla, and beat until well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in sour cream. You will have a sinfully, creamy mixture, which you now pour over your crumb base in your springform pan. (Now see, the whole "Part 2" process wasn't as hard as you thought, was it?)

Pop into your oven and bake in gentle heat until center is somewhat set. I cook this for an hour at about 325 degrees, then for another half hour at 300 degrees. I double-pan so the crust bottom doesn't get over-browned, which would kill the whole idea of a tantalizing dessert, now wouldn't it? (While your cheesecake is cooking, stretch out your limbs and congratulate yourself for making something really special. You will experience a strong feeling of relief: Whew! I did it!)

Part 3
Now comes the hardest part of this whole virtuoso cheesecake-making endeavor: Chill . . . OVERNIGHT. You will be tempted to sample the goods. Remember, that just as a face launched a thousand ships and sent them crashing into the rocks, one spoonful will lead to a whole piece . . . or two. Self-control needs to be as firm as a sinfully creamy cheesecake and the thought of a pin-up girl will allow. (This part only applies if you are a male who is cooking or if you are a female who is into "sisterhood.")

The next day, to stunned "ooh's" and "aah's," you'll know your restraint was worth all the suffering. You'll be viewed as having almost god-like culinary skills and your family will be nicer than you'd have ever dreamed they could be.

Part 4
Before serving, top cheesecake with fruit of choice.
(I like to heat 2 cups of strawberries + some sugar (to taste); then thicken with cornstarch (mix 1-2 tsp. cornstarch into 1/4 cup of water and add to strawberry mixture, stirring until thickened) so that I have a nice glaze; alternatively, sweetened strawberries in their own juice, drizzled tantalizingly over the cheesecake is an attractive option. As Dr. Phil would say: "Is that workin' for ya?" Definitely!

Part 5
For the rest of the week, you point out what an exhausting undertaking cheesecake-making has been and use this turning point in family relations to hint strongly about your favorite thing for dinner: reservations!

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* Photo credit: solrac_gi_2nd