Tips:

It’s advisable to place a pan with water on the bottom of the oven and leave it there while the cheesecake is baking. I usually do this step while preheating the oven. This ensures that the cake will stay high and not fall.

 

To get that real smooth cut when you slice your cheesecake (see photo), dip the knife in very hot water and rub it dry before cutting each slice.

Notes:

What do I do with all those yolks? I actually tried making this cake and incorporating half the yolks into the batter together with the cheeses. It was delicious — and a little thicker, as opposed to spongy. You can also use them in any kugel you’re making.

Variations:

There is an optional cream that you can make for this cake if you make it during the year: Beat together one cup heavy cream (shamenet metukah), one cup milk, and four to five tablespoons vanilla instant pudding powder. Spread this on the cooled cake. Also, you can add one to one and a half teaspoons of very finely chopped lemon and/or orange rind when making it all year. It adds amazing flavor. You can also substitute corn starch or vanilla pudding powder instead of the potato starch during the year.