Lemon Cheesecake Squares

Ingredients

• 8  graham crackers (each)
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 3 tablespoons butter unsalted melted
• 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature
• 0.8 cup sugar 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1  juice of lemon finely grated (2 to 3 teaspoons zest and 3 tablespoons juice)

Equipment

• food processor
• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• plastic wrap
• baking pan
• aluminum foil
• spatula

Directions

1. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Crimp overhang under rim of pan.
2. In a food processor, blend graham crackers with sugar until finely ground; add butter and pulse until moistened.
3. Transfer crumb mixture to prepared pan, and pat in gently (wipe processor bowl clean, and reserve for making filling).
4. Bake until beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. While crust is baking, make filling.
5. Place cream cheese in food processor; blend until smooth.
6. Add sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice; blend until smooth.
7. Pour mixture onto hot crust in pan; smooth top. Return to oven, and bake until set (filling should jiggle only slightly when pan is gently shaken), 30 to 35 minutes.
8. Cool completely in pan. Cover very loosely with plastic wrap; chill until firm, at least 2 hours (and up to 2 days). Use foil overhang to lift cheesecake out of pan. With metal spatula, lift cheesecake from foil; cut into 16 squares.