Shelly's Recipe

BLUE RIBBON CHEESECAKE

Category: Cheesecake

Crust
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 butter, melted
3 tbsp sugar

Filling
3 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, room temp
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, room temp
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/8 tsp orange extract

Grated orange peel for garnish

Combine crumbs, butter and sugar. Press mixture evenly onto bottom and sides of a 9 inch springform pan.

Preheat oven to 450. Beat together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Blend in butter and orange extract. Turn mixture into pan and bake 15 minutes. Cool.

Refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving. Remove sides of pan. Garnish with grated orange peel. Serve chilled.