Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly spray a 9 inch springform pan and line with a circle of parchment paper on the bottom. Line the sides with strips of parchment paper to help prevent cracking as the cake cools.
• Mix together the gingersnap crumbs and brown sugar, making sure to get out any lumps from the brown sugar. Drizzle in the melted butter and mix until all the crumbs are evenly saturated. Press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan, going up the sides about an inch.
• Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Put the sugar in a food processor and process with the lemon zest until the sugar is pale yellow and all the zest is incorporated.
• Put your lemon sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the balloon whisk and blend with the cream cheese and flour until well combined.
• Beat in the sour cream and lemon juice, and then the eggs, one at a time, beating in between each addition.
• Turn the batter into the pan and spread out evenly. Set the pan on a baking sheet.
• Bake for about 55 minutes, or just until the outside is set and the inside still wobbles. Turn off the heat and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour with the door propped open.
• Cool the pan on a rack until room temperature, then refrigerate overnight.
• Carefully remove cheesecake from pan, and decorate with fresh berries, mint, and flowers.