Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake

Saturday night was the first time I've ever attempted a ricotta cheesecake.  The texture was different than a cheesecake made with only cream cheese.  Upon further reflection, I should have let this one cook about 10 more minutes.  Your mileage (and oven) may vary.  This is a decadent dessert for special occasions.  It's also worth the time and the many steps.

One of the most crucial things to remember about cheesecakes is that they're temperamental, but if they crack on the top it's simple to top with fruit, whipped topping or confectioner's sugar.  The most important thing is as SOON as you remove it from the oven to run a knife between the pan and the cake.  This will help keep it from cracking as it cools because it won't have to pull away from the sides of the springform pan.  Compliments of Good Housekeeping.com

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

4 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
3 to 4 lemons
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 packages (8-ounce) reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened
1 container (15-ounce) part-skim ricotta cheese
4 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half or light cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Wrap outside of 9-inch springform pan with heavy-duty foil to prevent batter from leaking out during baking.

In springform pan, with fork, mix graham cracker crumbs and butter until crumbs are moistened.  With hand, press mixture firmly onto bottom of pan.  Bake crust 10 minutes.  Cool on wire rack, about 15 minutes.

Reset oven to 325 degrees F.  Meanwhile, from 2 lemons, grate 2 teaspoons peel and squeeze 1/3 cup juice.  In small bowl, stir together sugar and cornstarch until blended. In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese and ricotta until smooth, about 5 minutes.  Slowly beat in sugar mixture.  Reduce speed to low; beat in eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, and lemon peel and juice just until blended, scraping bowl often with rubber spatula.

Pour batter onto crust.  Bake cheesecake 1 hour.  Turn off oven; let cheesecake remain in oven 1 hour.

Remove cheesecake from oven.  To help prevent cracking during cooling, run a thin knife between edge of cheesecake and pan as soon as cheesecake comes out of oven. Cool cake in pan on wire rack 2 hours.  Cover and refrigerate cheesecake at least 6 hours or overnight, until well chilled.

To serve, remove foil and side of pan and place cake on plate.  From remaining lemons, with sharp knife, cut 8 very thin center slices; use to garnish top of cheesecake.