Classic Baked Cheesecake

Step 1

Preheat oven to 160C/320F (standard) or 140C/295F (fan/convection).

Step 2

Get a 20cm/8" springform cake tin. Turn the base UPSIDE DOWN (Note 4), butter lightly and place a square piece of parchment/baking paper on the base. Then clip into the springform pan - excess paper will stick out, see photos in post and video.

Step 3

Butter and line the side of the pan.

Step 4

Break up biscuits roughly by hand and place in a food processor.

Step 5

Blitz until fine crumbs (Note 5). Add butter, briefly blitz until dispersed and it resembles wet sand.

Step 6

Pour into the prepared cake tin. Use a spatula to roughly spread it out over the base and up the walls.

Step 7

Use something with a flat base and vertical edges (I used a measuring cup) to press the crumbs up the wall almost to the top of the sides, and flatten the base.

Step 8

Use a mixer or beater to beat the cream cheese until smooth - about 30 seconds on medium high,.

Step 9

Add flour, beat until just combined (10 sec).

Step 10

Add vanilla, sour cream, sugar and lemon zest. Beat until just combined (10 - 15 sec).

Step 11

Add eggs one at a time, beat in between until just combined (10 sec each). Don't over beat, do not want to aerate the batter.

Step 12

Pour into prepared crust.

Step 13

Bake for 55 minutes. The top should be a very light golden brown, not cracked, and near perfectly flat. It should jiggle slightly when you gently shake the pan.

Step 14

Cool the cake in the oven with the door open 20 cm / 8" (Note 6), then refrigerate for 4 hours+ in the pan.

Step 15

Remove sides. Use overhang paper to slide cheesecake off the cake pan. Then slide the cheesecake off the paper.

Step 16

Top with berries and dust with icing sugar!