Ingredients:
Crust:
200g Graham Crackers, crushed
100g Unsalted Butter, melted
Strawberry Sauce:
200g Fresh Strawberries, hulled and chopped
50g Granulated Sugar
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Water
1 tsp Cornstarch (optional)
Cheesecake Filling:
500g Cream Cheese, softened
200g Granulated Sugar
3 Large Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
200ml Sour Cream
Strawberry Sauce (from above)
Fresh Strawberries, for topping
Instructions:
For the Crust:
Preheat your oven to 175°C/350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
In a bowl, mix together the crushed graham crackers and melted butter until well combined.
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let it cool while preparing the filling.
For the Strawberry Sauce:
In a saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and water.
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens slightly. If desired, mix cornstarch with a little water and add it to the strawberry mixture to thicken further. Let cool completely.
For the Cheesecake Filling:
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until fully incorporated.
Gently swirl in the cooled strawberry sauce, leaving streaks throughout the cheesecake mixture.
Pour the filling over the cooled crust and spread it out evenly.
Baking:
Place the cheesecake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle.
Once baked, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door slightly ajar for about 1 hour to cool gradually.
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to set.
Assembly:
Once fully chilled, carefully release the cheesecake from the springform pan.
Arrange fresh strawberry slices on top of the cheesecake for decoration.
Slice and serve your delectable Strawberry Cheesecake, enjoying the delightful combination of creamy cheesecake and vibrant strawberries in every bite!