Graham Cracker Crust

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. sugar

Directions
Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the butter and sugar and mix well. Line the bottom of a spring-form pan with this mixture. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.

Filling

Ingredients
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, separated

Directions
Beat the egg whites then fold into the yolks. Using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the cream cheese until light. Combine the eggs and cream cheese with the remaining cheesecake ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour the filling into the graham cracker crust.

Bake for 10 minutes at 450 degrees and then for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Sour Cream Topping

Ingredients
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions
Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Spread this topping over the top of the cheesecake and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator before cutting into wedges. Store any leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator.