Imagine the creamiest, most delicious strawberry cheesecake gracing your table, tempting everyone with its irresistible aroma and look. This is that cheesecake, and I’m thrilled to share how it can be your show-stopper at any get-together. Let’s dive into this amazing strawberry cheesecake journey.
Ingredients
- Graham crackers โ 270 g (about 2 sleeves)
- Granulated sugar โ 3 tablespoons
- Unsalted butter โ 70 g (5 tablespoons)
- Cream cheese โ 680 g (three 8-ounce packages)
- Sugar โ 250 g (1 1/4 cups)
- Sour cream โ 120 g (1/2 cup)
- Lemon zest โ 2 teaspoons
- Vanilla extract โ 2 teaspoons
- Eggs โ 3 (lightly beaten)
- Salt โ 1/4 teaspoon
- Fresh strawberries โ 900 g (2 pounds)
- Water โ 100 ml
- Cornstarch โ 1 teaspoon
- Strawberry jam โ 60-80 ml (1/4 to 1/3 cup, strained)
Steps to Creamy Perfection
- Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 175ยฐC (350ยฐF). Crush the graham crackers to a fine consistency and mix them with granulated sugar. Add melted butter and mix until you have a sand-like consistency. Press this mixture into a 23 cm (9-inch) springform pan, pushing about an inch up the sides. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly golden. - Create the Filling
Beat room temperature cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar and salt, mixing until incorporated. Blend in sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Stir in the eggs one at a time, mixing gently to avoid incorporating too much air, and add the strained strawberry jam for color. - Bake the Cheesecake
Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared crust. Bake initially at 175ยฐC (350ยฐF) for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 150ยฐC (300ยฐF) and bake for an additional hour. Look for a slight jiggle in the middle signifying it’s ready. - Prepare the Strawberry Topping
While the cheesecake cools, hull and halve your strawberries. Cook half with water, sugar, and cornstarch until it thickens into a red sauce. Cool and combine with the fresh halves. - Finish and Serve
Pour the strawberry topping over the cooled cheesecake. Refrigerate until firm, ideally overnight. When ready to serve, marvel at its beauty, slice, and enjoy!
This strawberry cheesecake is perfect for any occasion with its fluffy, creamy texture and vibrant topping. Whether it’s a family gathering or a special treat, this recipe is bound to be a hit.
