By Khalil Hymore
What late night chat was complete for the girls without a cheesecake? In the episode of how they met, the bickering crew bonded over the almighty cheesecake and the rest was history! Did you know one of the actresses actually disliked cheesecake, and had a hard time filming scenes with the dessert?

Makes 12 servings

• 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

1. Heat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Butter a 9-inch springform pan, set aside.

2. For the crust, combine the graham crumbs with 3 tablespoons of the sugar, salt, and melted butter and press evenly into the bottom of the springform pan, coming ¾ of the way up the side. Chill while preparing the filling.

3. For the filling, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour in a large bowl with an electric mixer set on medium. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the cream, lemon zest, and vanilla bean paste until well combined. Remove the crust from the refrigerator and pour in the filling. Place the cheesecake in the oven with a separate pan filled with water.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 250° Fahrenheit and continue baking for an additional 1½ hours. The cheesecake should be firm, but slightly soft in the center. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Cover and chill until fully set. Serve to your girlfriends with fresh fruit and lots of gossip.