Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping

Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping made with an easy graham cracker crust, creamy layer of cheesecake, a layer of sour cream on top and topped with strawberries with a fresh strawberry glaze drizzle.

I have said this before and will say again- I love cheesecake! Cheesecake is my favorite dessert and my favorite way to make it is with a simple graham cracker crust, easy filling and a fresh fruit sauce so this Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping hits the mark.

I bought this 9inch Heart Shaped Springform Pan last year and just used it for the first time! I love the heart shape for Valentine’s Day (which is fast approaching) or anytime really. If you don’t have a use for a heart shaped cake pan, you can use a regular 9 inch Springform Pan. 

Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping

This Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping is pretty basic and easy to make. With that being said- if you have never made a cheesecake EVER… maybe start out with our Creamy Raspberry Sauce Cheesecake (perfect for first time cheesecake makers) because cheesecake can be tricky for newbies.

Start with the graham crust which is the same as that with our Sparkling Cranberries White Chocolate Cheesecake. Graham crackers, room temperature butter and a bit of sugar are pressed into the bottom of the springform pan. To crush the graham crackers, place them into a ziploc bag and smash with a rolling pin. Really easy and this crust works great for any kind of cheesecake you are making.

The cheesecake filling is the most important step to making this dessert perfect. Make sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing. Don’t get impatient.. this is really important. Cream cheese straight from the fridge will clump up and not mix well so the cheesecake won’t be smooth and creamy like we want it. I also have my eggs sit out while the cream cheese softens so everything mixes well. Blend all the cheesecake filling ingredients together with a hand mixer and pour into springform pan. Bake for 55 minutes. Do a toothpick check in the center to make sure it comes out clean. If not, place back in oven and check every 5 minutes.

Should you do a water bath for this cheesecake? I did not but you certainly can. Cover the bottom of the cheesecake in foil to avoid leaks and then put the springform pan into a larger pan with some hot water inside (no more than an inch deep). A water bath can help cook the cheesecake more evenly and reduce cracks.

As the cheesecake cooks in the oven, make your sour cream topping. Use a hand mixer to blend all your sour cream topping ingredients together and pour over the cheesecake right when it comes out of the oven. Place back into oven for 5 minutes.

Let the cheesecake sit out and cool for about 30 minutes and then put in fridge to set up for 12-24 hours.

Hull all 2 quarts worth of strawberries. Half will be decorated on top of the cheesecake so you can be picky and grab the best ones or the ones closest in size. Start on the outer edges and place strawberry after strawberry on top until completely filled.

The other half of the strawberries will go into the food processor to make a puree. Blend well and pour in a saucepan on the stovetop on a medium heat with lemon juice and sugar. Bring the strawberries to a simmer. On the side, mix 1 cup water with 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Pour into saucepan. Whisk well. The sauce will begin to thicken and you can add in your red food coloring. Remove from heat and strain. Let cool and place into a pastry bag to decorate the cheesecake. Use as much or as little sauce as you would like- cover all the strawberries if you want!

Have extra strawberry sauce? Save for later to pour over waffles for breakfast!

Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping

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Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping made with an easy graham cracker crust, creamy layer of cheesecake, a layer of sour cream on top and topped with strawberries with a fresh strawberry glaze drizzle. Recipe inspired from Taste of Home.

Yields: 12 servings

• Graham Cracker Crust
• 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1.25 cups graham crackers, crushed (1 sleeve worth)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Cheesecake filling
• 4- 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1.25 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Sour Cream Topping
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Strawberry Glaze
• 1 quart strawberries
• 3 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• red food coloring
• Other
• 1 quart strawberries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Make your graham cracker crust. Place a sleeve of graham crackers into Ziploc bag and crush crackers with a rolling pin.
3. In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, 6 tablespoons room temperature butter and 1/4 cup sugar and then place into the bottom of your 9 inch springform pan. Press the graham crackers down.
4. Make the Cheesecake Filling. Use a hand mixer to thoroughly mix your softened cream cheese and 1.25 cups sugar. Blend until creamy. Add the tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Blend again. Lastly, add 4 eggs and mix again. Pour filling into springform pan.
5. If you would like- make your water bath by covering bottom of springform pan with foil and putting into a larger pan with hot water at bottom.
6. Bake cheesecake for 55 minutes. Check the center with a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean. If not, place back into oven checking every 5 minutes until done.
7. Sour Cream Topping. While the cheesecake cooks, blend your sour cream topping with hand mixer. Add 2 cups sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into a bowl and blend until creamy. When the cheesecake is finished cooking, add the sour cream topping right away smoothing out the top and place back into oven for 5 minutes.
8. Remove cheesecake from oven and let cool for about 30 minutes before placing into fridge for 12-24 hours.
9. Hull all 2 quarts of strawberries and decorate the top of the cheesecake with half of them. Start on the outside and work your way in.
10. Strawberry Glaze. Place the other half of the strawberries into food processor and blend until you have a puree. Place the puree into a saucepan on the stovetop on a medium heat adding 3 teaspoons lemon juice and 1 cup sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup water and 3 tablespoons cornstarch and add to pan. Add your red food coloring (to desired amount) and whisk sauce until thickened. This only takes a few minutes after the sauce/glaze has begun to simmer. Remove from heat and strain. Let cool.
11. Once the strawberry glaze has cooled, place into a pastry bag and cut a small amount off tip to complete the decoration of the cheesecake. Glaze in between each strawberry and around the sides, you may even place the glaze over each individual strawberry. You don't have to use it all, just the desired amount of glaze.
12. Place into fridge until time to serve.

• Preparation time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 60 minutes

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