Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your springform pan with butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
Mix the graham cracker crumbs and butter. Add a little sugar to the mix. Press this into the pan bottom firmly.
Bake the crust for eight minutes. Let it cool completely on a rack. This keeps the crust very crispy.
Beat the cream cheese until very smooth. Add the sugar and flour slowly. Mix on a low speed to avoid air.
Add the sour cream and vanilla. Mix again until the batter is combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl often.
Add the eggs one at a time. Mix gently after each egg addition. Do not overmix the batter now.
Pour the filling over the cooled crust. Smooth the top with a flat spatula. Tap the pan to remove air bubbles.
Wrap the pan in heavy duty foil. Place it inside a larger roasting pan. Fill the outer pan with hot water.
Bake for about one hour. The edges should be set and firm. The center should still jiggle slightly.
Turn off the oven and open the door. Let the cake sit for one hour. This prevents the top from cracking.
Remove the cake from the water bath. Chill it in the fridge overnight. Cold cheesecake tastes much better.