CHEESECAKE PIE

CHEESECAKE PIE

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 18 squares)
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 packages (8-oz. each) cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. finely grated lemon peel

TOPPING:
1 cup (8-oz.) sour cream
2 Tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. vanilla extract
Additional lemon peel, optional
Mint leaves, optional

Combine crumbs and butter. Firmly press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Chill. In a small mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in lemon peel. Pour into prepared crust; bake at 325^ for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spread over pie; bake 5 additional minutes. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 5 hours. Garnish with additional lemon peel and mint leaves, if desired.

Yield: 6-8 servings.