The Very Best New York Cheesecake

If you have cheesecake lovers in your family, this is the ultimate. Doubt you'll ever want another after you try this one.

1-1/2  cups  flour
1/3  cup  sugar
1  egg, beaten
1/2  cup  butter, softened
5  (8 oz)  pkgs Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1-3/4  cups sugar
3  Tbs  flour
5  eggs
2  egg yolks
1/4  cup  heavy cream (unwhipped)

Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup butter. Spread to edges of 10" springform pan sprayed with PAM. Prick with a fork, Bake for 15 minutes @400 degrees. Cool slightly. (You may completely omit the crust if you desire). Increase the oven temp to 450 degrees.

To prevent cracking on top, place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven while cake is baking.

Combine all remaining ingredients, except the cream. Beat very well. Add the cream and beat slowly, only to blend together. Pour filling over crust and bake 10 minutes @450 degrees. Reduce temperature to 200 degrees. Continue baking for 1 hour. Turn oven off, but leave the cake in the oven for another hour to cool down slowly. Do not open the oven door during this time. Don't worry if the center looks slightly jiggly at first. Cover with foil and chill overnight before cutting.