Simple Cheesecake

modified version of Basic Cheesecake by Ronald Uy and Ruth Reichl's Cheesecake (whose link appears to be broken at the moment)

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers (about 1 of the individual packages from the box, or 140 g)
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 1 Tblsp cinnamon
• 1 stick butter, melted

Mix ingredients together, press into bottom and sides of a springform pan. I like using a rubber spatula to press the crumbs together, other people often just use their hands.

Put in the freezer for at least 15 minutes - or up to overnight.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, take out and let cool

Filling:

• 1 1/2 lbs of cream cheese (3 8 oz packages), room temp
• 1 c sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat until "completely smooth" (I have never gotten to completely smooth, it's fine.) (I like using a kitchenaid mixer with a beater blade attachment.)

Pour into crust.

Bake at 300 for 60-70 minutes.

Refrigerate several hours to overnight before serving.

Alternate crust ingredient's closer to Ruth Reichl's recipe:

• 1 1/2 c chocolate cookies, crushed (I've had good luck with chocolate teddy grahams)
• 1/4 c sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 stick butter, melted