Ingredients
– For the crust:
– 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– ¼ cup granulated sugar
– For the cheesecake filling:
– 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
– 3 large eggs
– 1 cup sour cream
– For the strawberry topping:
– 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– ¼ cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– ½ cup whipped cream (for garnish)
– For the crunch topping:
– 1 cup crushed nuts (e.g., pecans or walnuts)
– ½ cup granola
Instructions
Creating this Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheese Cake involves several straightforward steps. Follow these instructions to make your cheesecake perfectly!
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Prepare the Crust:
– In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and ¼ cup sugar until well combined.
– Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
3. Bake the Crust:
– Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside to cool.
4. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
– In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
– Gradually add ¾ cup sugar and mix until combined.
– Blend in the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
– Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
– Finally, mix in the sour cream until the filling is smooth and creamy.
5. Pour Filling into the Crust:
– Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. Bake the Cheesecake:
– Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
7. Cool the Cheesecake:
– Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool at room temperature for about an hour.
– Transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
8. Prepare the Strawberry Topping:
– In a medium bowl, mix sliced strawberries, ¼ cup sugar, and lemon juice. Set aside to allow the strawberries to release their juices.
9. Add the Crunch Topping:
– In a separate bowl, mix crushed nuts and granola together.
10. Serve the Cheesecake:
– Once the cheesecake is set, top it with the strawberry mixture and sprinkle the crunch topping over it.
11. Garnish and Enjoy:
– Add a dollop of whipped cream on top before slicing.
Following these steps will guide you to create an amazing Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheese Cake that is sure to impress!