Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in vanilla.
Pour into prepared crust.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until almost set*
Remove from oven to wire rack.
With knife, loosen cake from side of pan.
Cool completely; remove side of pan.
Cover; refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
Just before serving, garnish as desired.
Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesecake.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
CRUMB CRUST:
Heat oven to 350 F. Stir together 1 cup graham cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons sugar in small bowl; blend in 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter or margarine, mixing well. Press mixture onto bottom and 1/2 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool. *Cheesecakes are less likely to crack if baked in a water bath.
VARIATIONS:
CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE:
Increase sugar to 1-1/4 cups and add 1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa. Increase vanilla extract to 1-1/2 teaspoons.
TOFFEE BITS CHEESECAKE:
Prepare vanilla cheesecake batter as directed. Stir 1-1/3 cups (8-oz. pkg.)HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits into batter.
CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE:
Prepare vanilla cheesecake as directed. Stir 1 to 1-1/2 cups HERSHEY'S MINI CHIPS Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips into batter.
MOCHA CHEESECAKE:
Prepare CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE, using HERSHEY'S Dutch Processed Cocoa. Add 1-1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules to batter.
MOCHA TOFFEE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS CHEESECAKE:
Prepare MOCHA CHEESECAKE as directed. Stir 3/4 cup HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits and 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S MINI CHIPS Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips into batter.