Nina's Ricotta Cheesecake

Nina's Ricotta Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS:
3 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs, separated
zest of one lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Strega liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec as alternates)

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 400° - center rack. Butter a 9' spring from pan and place on a baking sheet.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle: Beat together the cheese, sugar, yolks, zest, vanilla and liqueur on medium until very smooth.
In another mixing bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks. Fold by thirds into the cheese mixture. Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and level.
Place cake in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 350°. Bake one hour to one hour and 10 minutes. Cake will rise higher on the sides than the middle and will be set but jiggling in the center. Turn off oven and prop door open with a wooden spoon. Allow cake to cool completely in the oven. Refrigerate 3 hours to overnight before slicing.