1/2cupchopped nuts, like pecans or walnutscan be replaced with Graham cracker crumbs
4Tbspbutt4ermelted
Cream Cheese Filling
24ozcream cheeseroom temperature
5eggsroom temperature
1cupsugar
2Tbsplemon juice
Sour Cream Topping
1 1/2cupsour cream
3Tbspsugar
1tspvanilla
Salted Caramel
1cupsugar
1 Tbspwater
4Tbspunsalted butter
1/2cupheavy cream
1tspsea salt
Instructions
Filling
Mix Graham cracker crumbs, chopped nuts, and melted butter until well combined.
Press the mixture into a well-buttered springform pan. Wrap your springform pan in a layer or two of foil to prevent water from your water bath creeping into your cheesecake.
Cream Cheese Filling
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Cream the cream cheese with the lemon juice until smooth and light.
Add sugar and beat until smooth.
Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix until completely combined.
Pour filling mixture into prepared crust.
Create a water bath by adding an inch of boiling water into a roasting pan. Add the prepared pan to your water bath.
Cook cheesecake for 1 hour.
Sour Cream Topping
Mix 1 1/2 cups sour cream, 3 Tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla together until smooth.
Return to 300-degree oven for five minutes.
Turn off the oven and allow to cool in the oven for 30-60 minutes.
Remove the cheesecake from the oven, and cool the cheesecake at room temperature for 2 hours.
Transfer to the refrigerator and allow to cool for 4 hours or overnight.
Salted Caramel
Combine the sugar and water, and cook on medium-high heat. Stir just until the sugar is dissolved.
Once sugar is dissolved, stop stirring, and allow the mixture to boil and get darker.
When caramel is a nice, dark amber color, remove it from the heat.
Gently whisk in heavy cream and swirl in butter and sea salt.
Return to low heat and whisk until smooth.
Let it cool enough to be cool to the touch. The caramel will thicken as it cools. Stir occasionally while cooling.
Drizzle caramel over cheesecake or spread over completely.