Simply Delicious New York-Style Cheesecake With Strawberry Sauce - graham cracker crumbs

Method

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Butter the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
• In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar and mix well.
• Press onto bottom of springform pan and bake until golden, about 8 minutes.
• Set aside to cool.
• When completely cooled, butter the sides of the pan.
• Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups sugar, zests, and vanilla and beat until light and creamy.
• Add the flour, then the eggs and yolks 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Add the sour cream, vanilla bean seeds, and bourbon and mix until smooth.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan.
• Wrap the pan in foil and place in a roasting pan.
• Fill the roasting pan with enough hot water to come half way up the sides of the pan.
• Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
• Transfer cake to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
• Refrigerate cake overnight before serving.
• Cut into wedges and top with strawberry sauce.
• Strawberry Sauce:.
• 2 pints fresh strawberries.
• 1/2 cup sugar.
• 1 cup water.
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest.
• 2 tablespoons kirsch or brandy.
• Combine berries, sugar, water and zest and cook until berries are soft and the liquid is thick, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the kirsch or brandy and cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Spoon on top of the cheesecake and serve.