Party Size Italian Cheesecake

Drain off any liquids from cheese. Beat the ricotta cheese smooth and beat in 1 1/2 cups sugar and vanilla.

Fork beat egg yolks and beat into mixture just to combine. Beat in flour and vanilla. Beat whites stiff with remaining sugar and combine with whipped cream.

Gently fold mixture into cheese mixture. Fold in cherries. Place mixture in a 12 inch springform pan that has been well buttered and dusted well with graham cracker crumbs. Pour in mixture (will almost fill to top).

Bake in a preheated 425 degrees F oven for 10 minutes and then reduce heat to 325 degrees F and bake 1 hour. Turn off heat and let cake cool in the closed oven. Remove pan from oven and chill overnight.

NOTE: Some cracks may appear in the center of the cake, especially if mixture was over-beaten. Also, cake may puff up a bit and fall. But the overall cake is high and beautiful.