BLUE RIBBON CHEESECAKE

BLUE RIBBON CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 butter, melted
3 tblsp sugar
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temp
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, room temp
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/8 tsp orange extract
Grated orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
Combine crumbs, butter and sugar. Press mixture evenly onto bottom and sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Preheat oven to 450F. Beat together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.Blend in butter and orange extract. Turn mixture into pan and bake 15
minutes. Cool. Refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving. Remove sides of pan.Garnish with grated orange peel. Serve chilled.