Cherry Cheesecake

To prepare crust: Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Stir graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and 2 tablespoons sugar together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes. Wrap the outside of the pan with heavy-duty foil or a double layer of regular foil. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

To prepare filling: Beat cream cheese and sour cream in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups sugar and beat until smooth and combined, about 1 minute. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until incorporated after each addition, about 1 minute. Beat in flour, lemon juice and vanilla just until combined, about 1 minute. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust. Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan; add hot water to the outer pan to a depth of 1 inch.

Bake until the center is slightly jiggly, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes. Remove from the oven; let stand in the water bath for 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the outside edge of the cheesecake. Remove the cake pan from the water bath; cool the cheesecake in the pan on the rack to room temperature, about 3 hours. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

To prepare topping: Combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice and 3 tablespoons water in a small heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often, until the sugar is dissolved and the cherries release their juices, about 2 minutes. Combine cornstarch and the remaining 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; stir into the cherry mixture and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid thickens and looks syrupy, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

To serve: Remove the cheesecake from the pan and place on a serving platter. Top with the cherry mixture.