Strawberry Cheese Cake

Look at the dessert menu at any restaurant. One of the most popular desserts is always Strawberry Cheesecake. Ask anybody! Every restaurant, pastry chef and Grandma claims to have the best strawberry cheesecake.That a yummy and delicious strawberry cheese cake! Why not make your own? It's not as hard as it sounds. If you like this Strawberry Cheesecake, you'll love these cheesecake recipes.

NY Style Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1 1/4 cup ground graham cracker crumbs
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 4 Tbsp melted butter or margarine

Cheesecake Filling:

• 4 packages (8 ounce each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place pan of hot water in bottom of oven.
2. Prepare 9 inch springform pan with foil and spray as directed above.
3. Grind graham crackers in a food processor or crush very fine with a rolling pin.
4. Mix crust ingredients and pat only on the bottom of prepared pan.
5. In a mixing bowl on medium speed, beat cream cheese until smooth ~ about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides.
6. Add sugar and cornstarch and beat again, scraping a few times. The mixture should be smooth.
7. Add vanilla, eggs and egg whites 2 at a time. Beat until creamy.
8. Slowly add the cream and beat only enough so there are no lumps and the filling is nice and fluffy. Scrape as needed.
9. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes.
10. See above for further baking, cooling, serving and freezing instructions.
11. Sour cream topping variation: see below
12. Refrigerate any leftovers.
13. Serves 14

Sour Cream Topping:

• 2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• Mix all ingredients until smooth and sugar is dissolved.
• When cheesecake comes out of the oven, carefully pour sour cream mixture on top of cheesecake.
• Return cheesecake to oven immediately and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until set.

Whole Strawberry Topping:

• 1 quart fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
• 2 cups seedless strawberry jelly, apricot jelly or currant jelly
• This cheesecake calls for only the most beautiful, red-ripe strawberries you can find.
• Make sure cheesecake is completely chilled.
• Pat whole strawberries dry with paper towel. Stand up, cut side down in a pleasing pattern.
• Heat jelly or glaze until runny, not too hot.
• Carefully spoon or brush glaze over strawberries.
• Return to fridge to chill before slicing.

Strawberry Topping:

• 1 quart fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
• 1 cup sugar
• Puree half the strawberries and the sugar in a food processor. Remove to a bowl.
• Add the remaining 1 cup whole strawberries, stir and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Spoon over cheesecake slices before serving.
• This can be made ahead and refrigerated. Use on top of ice cream too!

Raspberry Topping:

• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 cup sugar
• See above topping directions.