Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Recipe

Crust

 Baked sugar cookies, unfrosted 

5 Tablespoons melted butter

2 Tablespoons sugar (optional)

Melt butter and set aside.  

Using a food processor, grind up cookies into fine crumbs for two cups of crumbs. 

In a bowl, mix together crumbs, butter and 2 tablespoons sugar until well blended.

Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Bake for 10-15 minutes until done.

Set aside and let cool.

Prepare pan for baking by covering the bottom (and continuing up the sides) of the  pan with heavy duty aluminum foil.

Cheesecake batter

2 pounds cream cheese (four 8 ounce blocks), softened

4 eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup multicolored sprinkles, and a little extra for the top (jimmies)

Crystallized sugar (for topping)

Place cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer, and beat until creamy.

Add the eggs, vanilla, sugar and mix well.

Mix in the sprinkles.

Pour the mixture into the springform pan and smooth out evenly.

Sprinkle some jimmies and crystallized sugar on the top of the cheesecake.

Place in the oven and Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until done- 

the cheesecake will be slightly golden and set, but will jiggle in the middle just a bit.

Let cool completely.

Run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake and 

carefully remove from the springform pan.