What's the Secret?

Seriously, is there some kind of secret to making cheesecake? If there is, I don't have it. I made one last night for Joe's birthday. I followed the recipe. And still the edges are really brown, and I'm pretty sure the middle is raw. Where did I go wrong??

Still, this cheesecake will probably be more edible than the first one I ever made for him. That one had a caramel topping that hardened up to the consistency of marble. I'm not kidding - it bent our forks! At least this one should be silverware friendly.

If anyone has an easy, fool-proof recipe for cheesecake, I'd love to check it out! And I'm sure my husband will thank you too!