1-3/4 cups finely crushed graham crackers (about 22 crackers)
3 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1-1/3 cups sugar
3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Orange peel strips and sliced and/or whole kumquats (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For the crust: In a medium bowl,
combine graham crackers and the 3 tablespoons sugar. Stir in melted
butter. Press crumb mixture onto the bottom and 1 to 2 inches up the
side of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack
while preparing filling.
2. For the filling: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, the 1-1/3
cups sugar, the orange juice concentrate, and the 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in eggs
and orange peel just until combined.
3. Pour filling into crust-lined pan. Place springform pan in a shallow
baking pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a 2-1/2-inch-wide area
around the outside edge appears set when gently shaken. Remove
springform pan from oven and set on a wire rack.
4. Meanwhile, stir together sour cream, the 1 tablespoon sugar, and the
1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Carefully spread sour cream mixture over the hot
cheesecake.
5. Cool in springform pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small
thin knife, loosen crust from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more.
Remove side of the pan. Cool for 2 hours. Cover and chill for at least 4
hours or up to 24 hours.
6. If desired, garnish cheesecake with orange peel strips and kumquats.
Makes 12 to 16 servings