Lime Cheesecake

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 1 9-inch cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine, melted
• 1  teaspoon lime rind, Grated
• 24  ounces cream cheese, Softened
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 4  eggs
• 1  tablespoon lime rind, Grated
• 1⁄4 cup key lime juice
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  cups sour cream
• 3  tablespoons sugar
•  fresh strawberries
•  lime slice (optional)

Directions

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted butter and stir well.
2. Press crumb mixture evenly over bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
3. Preheat oven to 300F.
4. Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy; gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating well.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Stir in lime rind, juice and vanilla.
7. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes.
8. Combine sour cream and 3 tablespoons sugar; stir well and spread evenly over cheesecake.
9. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
10. Remove from oven to a wire rack, immediately run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cheesecake from the side of the pan (this helps prevent cracking).
11. Let cool to room temperature on a wire rack; chill at least 4 hours.
12. To serve, carefully remove sides of springform pan, if desired, garnish with strawberries and lime slices.