Dense, creamy New York-style cheesecake with a graham cracker crust is the gold standard of family celebration desserts. This rich, velvety classic defines indulgent American cheesecake perfection.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
Mix graham crackers and melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand, then press the mixture evenly into the pan to form the crust.
Bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350°F, then let it cool completely before filling.
Beat cream cheese at medium speed until smooth, then gradually add sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, mixing thoroughly.
Add eggs one at a time, beating on low just until incorporated, followed by the sour cream.
Pour the filling over the cooled crust, tap the pan gently to release air bubbles, and bake at 325°F for 60–70 minutes until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
Remove from oven and cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) before slicing and serving.