Christmas Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 3 cups Oreo cookie crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 5 egg whites
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 pound cream cheese
• 5 egg yolks
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup sour cream
• TOPPING
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 Tbsp sugar

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• small bowl
• electric mixer or whisk
• 2 bowls
• 9" springform pan

Here is how:

1. Preheat oven to 325° F.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the Oreo crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture into springform pan, coming half-way up the sides.
3. Beat egg whites until they form stiff moist peaks. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup sugar and refrigerate.
4. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until it's softened. Add in egg yolks, one at a time. Gradually beat in the remaining ingredients. 
5. Fold in egg whites and pour into cake pan. Bake at 325° F for 1 1/4 hour.
6. Mix together the topping ingredients until smooth.
7. After cheesecake is baked, spread topping over cheesecake and bake for another 5 minutes.
8. Serve cheesecake with your favourite topping. For Christmas, edge with a ruffle of whipped cream and garnish with  mint leaves. Serve with a puddle of homemade strawberry syrup.