Russian cheesecakes, like this one served at The Kaleenka in Seattle, are lighter and drier than most American versions. The texture comes from a dry-curd cheese (known here a hoop cheese) common to Russian cooking.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 10 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter bottom and sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan. Place cracker crumbs in pan. Rotate pan to coat bottom and sides. Blend cheese in processor until creamy. Add sugar and butter and process until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, processing until blended after each addition. Add sour cream, vanilla, cornstarch and lemon peel; process until smooth.
Step 2
Pour cheese mixture into graham cracker-lined pan. Bake cheesecake until filling is set, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool completely. Chill 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
Step 3
Cut around sides of pan to loosen cheesecake. Remove pan sides. Arrange berries over top of cheesecake. Sift powdered sugar over.
