Prep the Oven & Pan
1-Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C): Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2-Grease a 9-inch springform pan and wrap: Grease a 9-inch springform pan and wrap the outside with foil (for a water bath).

Make the Crust
3-Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and: Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter until combined.
4-Press firmly into the bottom of the: Press firmly into the bottom of the springform pan.
5-Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside: Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside.

Make Cheesecake Filling
6-Beat softened cream cheese until smooth: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
7-Add sugar and mix until creamy: Add sugar and mix until creamy.
8-Blend in sour cream, flour, and vanilla: Blend in sour cream, flour, and vanilla.
9-Add eggs one at a time, mixing: Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low until just combined (don’t overmix).

Bake Cheesecake
10-Pour filling over crust: Pour filling over crust.
11-Place pan in a larger roasting pan: Place pan in a larger roasting pan with 1-2 inches of hot water (water bath).
12-Bake 55-65 minutes, until edges are set: Bake 55-65 minutes, until edges are set and center has a slight jiggle.
13-Turn off oven, crack the door open,: Turn off oven, crack the door open, and let cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
14-Remove and chill at least 4 hours: Remove and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

Make the Pecan Pie Topping
15-In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn: In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Cook until butter melts.
16-Whisk in beaten eggs and cook over: Whisk in beaten eggs and cook over medium-low heat until thickened (about 5 minutes).
17-Remove from heat, stir in pecans and: Remove from heat, stir in pecans and vanilla.
18-Cool slightly before pouring over chilled cheesecake: Cool slightly before pouring over chilled cheesecake.

Finish & Serve
19-Spread pecan topping evenly over cheesecake: Spread pecan topping evenly over cheesecake.
20-Chill again for 30 minutes before slicing: Chill again for 30 minutes before slicing.