LEMON CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST AND BERRY TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grind gingernaps in a food processor. In a medium bowl, stir crumbs and butter until evenly moistened. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9" spring-form cheesecake pan. Bake crust until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Cool completely. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth (no lumps). Slowly add sugar until fully mixed. Add eggs one at a time, beating for about 30 seconds each. Make sure not to overmix from this point on. Mix in lemon juice and the grated peel. Pour filling into crust. Cover the pan with foil, then place in a larger pan with high sides (jelly-roll etc.). Bring water to a boil and fill the outer pan with water, ensuring that none is getting into the cheesecake. Place in the oven and bake until the outer edges are set and slightly golden and the center is not fully set and is still glossy, about 75 minutes (make sure to keep watch though!). Try not to open the oven door, though, for this can cause cracks. When done, place in a wire-cooling rack until completely cool. Chill covered in the refrigerator overnight (at least 4 hours, preferably more). To make the topping, simply mash the berries in a medium sized bowl and add a minimal amount of water. Then add about a tablespoon of sugar, to taste, to counteract the bitterness of the berries. Serve chilled. Add berries individually to each slice, unless planning on eating the whole cake. Otherwise, it will get soggy. Garnish with a lemon or mint leaf. It generally makes 8 slices, but it is pretty rich, so it will likely serve more. Enjoy!