Key Lime Cheesecake

A friend of mine kept talking about a key lime cheesecake that Costco makes.  She never could get one when they were in stock.  I decided to find a recipe and make one! I went with this one after looking at several. It is light and moist.  I hope you enjoy!  I got very positive reviews when I served it at a party.

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 T sugar
1/4 cup melted butter

Filling:
3-8 oz packages cream cheese, softened to room temp
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
3 T flour
4 eggs
1/3 cup key lime juice (about 12-15 key limes) I used more like 1/2-2/3 cup.  Just do it to taste.
1 T key lime rind
1 t vanilla extract

Extract juice from key limes. (You can use bottled juice.  They said Trader Joe's has a good one. I actually couldn't find key limes (found them last week.) so I used regular limes about 6 of them. It doesn't taste quite the same, but it was still fab!)  Zest limes.

Preheat oven to 375.  Butter a 10 inch springform pan.

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar.  Add the melted butter & mix well.  Pat mixture into bottom of pan and about 1/2 inch up the side.  Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes.  Remove and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar.  Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add the sour cream and flour.  When mixture is smooth, add eggs one at a time.  Mix after each addition.  Add the vanilla.  Add key lime juice and zest.  Mix well.

Pour cheesecake batter into the springform pan.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.  Turn oven down to 250 (don't remove cheesecake from oven).  Continue baking for another 50 minutes.

Remove from oven and col on a wire rack.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Take cheesecake out of fridge and remove the outer ring of pan.

Garnish with fresh whipped cream and key lime zest.