Cheesecake

1 - lb. cream cheese, room temp.

3 eggs

2/3 cup sugar plus 3 Tbsp.*

1 tsp. almond extract

1/2 pint sour cream *

1 tsp. vanilla *

In large mixing bowl, beat eggs, cheese and 2/3 cup sugar until thick and lemon colored. Add almond extract. Pour into prepared crumb crust or greased 9" pie pan (needs to be deep). Bake at 350° for 25 min. Center should not be runny and may begin to crack. Cool for 20 min. Meanwhile, mix starred ingredients for topping. Top cooled cake with sour cream mixture and bake 10 min. more. Cool. Garnish with shaved chocolate, nuts or Strawberry preserves. Sometimes, I leave out the sour cream topping and top the cooled cake with a can of cherry pie filling. It's also fantastic with a fresh strawberry glaze instead of the sour cream.