A cheesecake makes an impressive dessert for a summer dinner party. How to make Italian style cheesecake shows you how to avoid pitfalls and make a beautiful cheesecake every time.

1. Use whole milk ricotta.
2. Bring all ingredients to room temperature before mixing.
3. Keep your mixer on low speed.
4. Try not to open the oven while the cake bakes.
5. Bake your cheesecake in a water bath.
6. Run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake to prevent cracks while it cools.

• Cheesecakes are a delightfully rich, creamy dessert that make wonderful party dishes in the summer. While New York cheesecakes are made with cream cheese, Italian style cheesecakes contain ricotta. Italian cheesecakes also often contain candied fruit. Cheesecakes must cool thoroughly before being served, so make yours well in advance.JoyofBaking.com: New York Style Cheesecake Recipe

(Creative Commons photo by muriel amaury)

• This recipe yields one 12-inch cheesecake.

• 3 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese

• 2 cups sugar

• 9 eggs

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1 teaspoon orange zest

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 1/2 teaspoons candied lemon or orange peel (optional)

• Graham cracker or cookie crumbs to dust springform pan

• Electric mixer

• 12-inch springform pan

• Large pan for water bath (springform must sit inside)

(Creative Commons photo by Heather)

• A cheesecake may seem like a straightforward dessert, but they can actually be somewhat tricky. Follow the tips below to avoid cracks, spills and other messes.

1. Bring all ingredients to room temperature.Allrecipes: Perfect Cheesecakes
2. Preheat oven to 350°.
3. Grease the bottom of a 12-inch springform pan, then sprinkle graham cracker crumbs lightly over sides and bottom.Allrecipes: Ten Twists On One Great Cheesecake
4. Beat ricotta on low speed in a large bowl until completely smooth. As you continue to make your cheesecake, beat ingredients as little as possible to avoid cracking in the final cake.JoyofBaking.com: New York Style Cheesecake Recipe
5. Whisk together sugar, flour and zests. Gradually beat them into the cheese. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix well.Allrecipes: Making Cheesecake Filling
6. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Again, scrape down the sides and mix everything in well.
7. With your mixer on low speed, mix in the lemon juice, vanilla and heavy cream.Allrecipes: Making Cheesecake Filling
8. Fold in candied fruit, if desired.
9. Pour batter into prepared pan. Tap the pan gently on the counter to help air bubbles escape.
10. Bake the cheesecake in a water bath. Wrap the outside of the springform pan with tinfoil. Set the cheesecake in a pan filled with water before placing both in the oven.Allrecipes: Baking Cheesecake, Step–by–Step
11. Bake at 350° for one hour. Many recipes warn bakers not to open the oven door while a cheesecake is baking.Bake Space: My Mother's Famous Real New York Cheesecake The center of the cheesecake should still be wiggly when you turn the oven off.Allrecipes: Perfect Cheesecakes
12. Take the cheesecake out of the oven and run a knife around the outer edge to prevent the sides from sticking to the pan. Put it back in the oven, which should now be off. Leave the cheesecake in the closed oven to cool.Allrecipes: Baking Cheesecake, Step–by–Step Cool thoroughly before serving.

• Cheesecake recipes are easy to vary by changing up the crust, flavorings and toppings.

1. Prepare a chocolate almond crust for your cheesecake.Gourmet: Cherry Cheesecake with Chocolate Almond Crust (July 1997)
2. Flavor your cheesecake with whiskey, Grand Marnier or another liquor.Allrecipes: Italian Ricotta Cheesecake Epicurious: Italian Ricotta Cheesecake (February 26, 2007)
3. Feed your chocolate craving with a Double–Chocolate Italian Cheesecake.Bake Space: Double–Chocolate Italian Cheesecake
4. Serve your cheesecake with a raspberry or other fruit topping.RecipeZaar: Raspberry Topping for Cheesecake (July 9, 2002)

• With practice and care, you can become a great cheesecake specialist. And even if your cheesecakes always come out cracked or broken, they'll continue to taste good. If you enjoy baking, try out some of Mahalo's other recipe how tos, such as how to bake Christmas cookies, how to make banana bread, how to make pumpkin pie and how to make souffle.