I've been making this cheesecake at least 30 years it always gets rave reviews..
I have baked it with out the lemon and orange zest and have also left out the cream...
I've baked it without a crust.
I've added assorted flavor ie peanut butter, melted chocolate, coconut and pineapple, all kinds of liquir ...it's all good.
I've even used this recipe to make layers for a weding cake!
New York Cheesecake
2 1/2 pounds cream cheese -- softened
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon orange peel -- grated
1/2 teaspoon lemon peel -- grated
3 tablespoons flour
2 egg yolk
5 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream

mix sugar and cream cheese together,add peels,flour,and vanilla,blend well, scrape bowl and beaters. Add eggs and yolks mix well. Scrape bowl and add cream, mix well and pour into a paper lined 10' pan into which you have placed a graham cracker crust. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours in a Water Bath. Bake at 325 degrees. Until center doesn't jiggle when side of pan is tapped lightly. Cool, gentley pull egdes away from sides of pan(will keep top from cracking). Refrigerate until set(4-5 hours). Remove from pan by running sharp knife around edge of pan. Warm the bottom of the pan and turn over onto a flat plate, quickly flip over again onto serving plate. Garnish with Fresh Berries or serve plain.