Creamy Crab Cheesecake

Creamy Crab Cheesecake

(http://www.southernliving.com/southern) Prep: 20 min.; Bake: 50 min.; Cool: 1 hr., 15 min.; Chill: 12 hr.; Stand: 30 min. This recipe uses handy ingredients, such as canned crabmeat, that can be kept in the pantry. You can make it up to two days ahead; however, we don&apos;t recommend freezing it.

1 cup crushed cornbread-flavored crackers (about 14) 3 tablespoons butter, melted 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup sour cream, divided 3 large eggs 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning 1/2 teaspoon seasoned pepper blend 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce 2 (6-oz.) cans fancy lump crabmeat, picked, rinsed, and drained Garnishes: fresh parsley sprigs, chopped fresh parsley, lemon wedges Assorted crackers

1. Combine cracker crumbs and melted butter, and press onto bottom of a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan. 2. Bake at 350� for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325�. 3. Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup sour cream at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add onion and next 6 ingredients, beating just until blended. Fold in crabmeat. Pour mixture into prepared crust. 4. Bake at 325� for 40 minutes or until center is set. Let cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Gently run a knife around edge of springform pan to loosen sides. Let cool 1 more hour. 5. Spread remaining 1/2 cup sour cream evenly over top of cheesecake; cover and chill at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours. 6. Let cheesecake stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Remove sides of springform pan. Garnish, if desired. Slice cheesecake into wedges, and serve with assorted crackers.

What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog...... Dwight D. Eisenhower

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