Mom's Cheesecake

Now I know these photos don't do it justice, but this is the BEST cheesecake ever.  Mom used to make about a dozen at Christmas time and give them to close friends and family as gifts.  I'm posting the original recipe for one cheesecake, but if you double the recipe and use ready made graham cracker pie shells, you'll get three.

For the crust:
1  1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
dash of cinnamon
Blend all ingredients together and pat into a 9 inch springform pan.

Cream cheese layer:
With an electric mixer beat the following together
1 lb cream cheese, softened
1/8 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs ( add one at a time)
Pour filling over the graham crust and bake at 375F for 20 minutes (if you're using the pre made pie shells, check at about 15 minutes)
Remove from oven and cool on a rack for about 15 minutes

Sour cream layer:
Blend together
1 pint sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Pour over the cooled cake and return to a 475F oven for 10 minutes
Cool completely

For top layer when ready to serve:
Whip 1/2 pint whipping cream with 1/4 tsp unflavored gelatin and 2 Tbl sugar
Spread over cake and chill

NOTE: Since I always make 3 in the ready shells, I put the whipped cream layer on before freezing.  They turn out great!