Original "Philly" Cheesecake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons margarine, Melted
24 ounces cream cheese, Softened
3/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons lemons, rind of, Grated
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 large eggs, Separated

Preparation

Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
Bake at 325 degrees F., 10minutes.
Combine cream cheese, sugar, juice, peel and vanilla, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.
Add egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into cream cheese mixture.
Pour over crust.
Bake at 300 degrees F., 45 minutes.
Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan.
Chill.
Top with cherry pie filling or fresh fruit, if desired.