
This cheesecake is a GORGEOUS show-stopper and is to die for cheesecake. And not only is it beautiful but is tastes delicious! I just love Cheesecakes so I make them all the time.
This is my regular cheesecake recipe that I use a lot. With this recipe you can easily change up the flavors. I went to Sam’s yesterday and while I was there I found the most beautiful strawberries for my cheesecake. Did I say how delicious and creamy this cheesecake recipe is? If you like cheesecake, you will love this recipe, it is so good!
The recipe is easy but it has a good many steps.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
This time I decided to use a brownie crust but if you want to make a graham cracker crust, chocolate cookie crust, vanilla wafer crust, Oreo cookie crust, etc. you can. If you want to make a cookie crust, go to my Chocolate Cheesecake recipe post to get the ingredients. I decided used a Duncan Hines brownie mix for the crust so that I had a nice chocolate crust.
For the filling:
1 cup granulated sugar
3 – 8 ounce packages of Philadelphia cream cheese
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
For the topping:
2 cups chopped strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
red food coloring – optional
Let’s get started, prepare your spring form pan. Be sure that it is assembled correctly so that it doesn’t leak at the bottom. I spread butter on the bottom and side, then insert a round piece of parchment paper to line the bottom. This will make it much easier to remove the cheesecake.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix the brownie mix according to the instructions on the box. Use only half of the mix in your spring form pan, place the other half in another pan. You can bake both of these at the same time, the other half make a good snack! When done remove from the oven and cool completely.
Brownie crust is done!
For the Cheesecake filling:
When the brownie crust is nearly done, start the filling. Set out the cream cheese and eggs, let them come to room temperature. In a clean mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese and sugar until combined, scraping down the sides of your bowl as needed. Blend in eggs one at a time until combined, be sure not to over blend the eggs. Blend only until the yolk is mixed. Now, add the vanilla, using a spatula fold until vanilla is blended. Add the sour cream, again using your spatula fold in the sour cream. Pour filling over cooled crust and smooth the top.
Cheesecake filling poured on top of the brownie ready to bake.
Wrap bottom of spring form pan tightly with 2 layers foil and place into a larger, deep baking pan. Pour water into large pan until water reaches about halfway up the sides of the spring form pan to create a water bath.
Carefully place pan in oven and bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes or until center is set and the top looks slightly dry. Don’t over cook or it will not be very creamy, keeping watching every few minutes until the center is set then remove from oven.
Cool cheesecake on a wire rack. Place pan into the fridge to chill overnight but do not cover the cheesecake. Remove cheesecake from pan after cheesecake has been chilled overnight. Remove from the spring form pan and place on your favorite cake dish! You are now ready to eat or you can add a topping.
Cheesecake is done and is cooling.
Wash your strawberries, remove the stems and pat dry with a paper towel. Pick out the best berries and place them on top of your cheesecake.
To make the filling, chop strawberries, place in pot with sugar and water. Place on medium high heat, stirring bring to a boil. While the strawberry mixture is heating, in a separate small bowl, mix the 2 table spoons of water with corn starch until you have a slurry.
Once the strawberry mixture gets warm, continue stirring constantly until it starts to boil. Then lower the heat to medium and add the cornstarch mixture and continue to stir for 4 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat and let cool for 3-4 minutes before topping cheesecake.
You can serve the topping as-is with a chunky texture, or puree it smooth with an immersion blender. You can also puree it to about halfway, so that it’s almost smooth but still has some texture. Use for anything that requires a sweet strawberry topping, like cheesecake, ice cream sundaes or waffles!! 🙂
Happy, happy, happy, boy this is delicious!!! 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day!! 🙂
Check out my recent post,
Making Crème Brûlée Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cake
Strawberry Pie Chocolate Cheesecake
it is really beautiful, and no doubt, delicious.
thank you Tex, and it is delicious too! 🙂
My heart missed a beat… actually, my heart missed five beats in a row…. WOW!
this is simply absolutely decadent and perfect for V-day! your wife is a lucky lucky woman! 😉
Thank you Sally! I am the lucky one! 🙂
Oh my gosh!!!! that is beautiful and no doubt, delicious—perhaps I must give this a try!!!
Yes, it is wonderful and not hard to make either! 🙂 Be prepared for our snow and ice storm coming Tuesday and Wednesday!
Lord I know—Gregory is so worried about business with a looming storm (jeweler who owns his own business) –we’re to get snow topped by ice—we went and filled up gas canisters this evening in case we need the generator—looks to be a massive event—at least Atlanta will be ready this time 🙂
I remember you telling me yall owned a jewelry store, I hope they get their weather wrong this time. It sure was a mess. I also went out and filled up the cars and two five gallon cans of gas for our generator. I sure hope we don’t need it. I worry about the sleet, ice and freezing rain the most because then we will have a power outage. Let’s hope for the best! 🙂
First the creme brulee and now a cheesecake. Michael, Michael, Michael two of my faves!!! Wow, is this beautiful and I just now it was to die for! And I’m just left here salivating and yearning. Blessings, Natalie 😦
Oh Natalie, thank you, I wish you live near by so I could share! 😉
Oh me TOO, Michael!!!!! Hugs, N 🙂
Oh wow! Your wife is one lucky lady 🙂 This really is beautiful, and I’m sure, is totally delicious!
thank you! 🙂 is it very delicious!
Oh my, you’ve combined three of my favorite desserts into one splendid confection. I’d like to try this!
Good evening,, you should give it a try, it really isn’t hard to do! 🙂 I hope you are ready for our snow and ice storm that is headed our way!?!
Can you believe it??
This morning, they are saying up to 5 inches Tuesday thru Thursday!!
Wow, this cheesecake is gorgeous! Love all of those strawberries on top! This is the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert!
thank you Beth! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Yep, this is definitely a show stopper kind of cheesecake, Michael! Absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you Gloria! It’s one of my wife’s favorites! 🙂
Your wife is a very lucky lady! What a gorgeous surprise for her! And it’s not even Valentine’s Day yet! This would be perfect for that special day with it’s pretty red strawberries on top. I love the way you arranged them too, it’s unique.. and a brownie crust.. oh my gosh, this is spectacular!!
ps love the cake stand too;)
Oh my goodness! That looks absolutely scrumptious! I do hope your wife appreciates all the effort! I think you’ll have to make another one on the day, just to prove you made it for her, and not for you! 😉
thank you Cathy! She does appreciate it and loves it too!
What a pretty presentation for that cheesecake, and what a lucky spouse you have! I think I see cheesecake in my near future, because how could I not after getting your wonderful instructions!
Thank you so much! It not only goods gorgeous but this cheesecake is delicious!
Ooh! Brownie crust! Sounds fabulous!
Hi Amber, first I want to thank you for visiting my site and posting a comment. I hope you will have a chance to visit again. Thank you so much, this is a really good cheesecake recipe! 🙂
You have outdone yourself! What a perfect Valentine gift. Your wife must adore you. Those strawberries are just outrageous, and I love the touch of fresh strawberries with the cooked berry sauce. Looks like I need to go shopping …. Best wishes, WG
Thank you Elizabeth! Good to header from you, I hope you are ready for the winter storm!? 🙂
Here you are, Michael, to warm your toes as you prepare for the snow. http://forestgardenblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/july-remembered/
Hope you both are ready for the storm. We’re hunkered down with our heavy socks and cold meds… WG
Nice, love the swallowtail pictures! We had 2 inches of snow today and we are expected to have another 14 to 16 inches before end of the day on Thursday. We are ready, even if we have a power outage but it looks like we are stuck on the mountain either way until is passes! 🙂
I sure you guys are ready too!
Oh my, that really is a showstopper! Wow! What a gorgeous cheesecake. I love how the strawberries are arranged on top. I bet it was just as delicious as it looks!
It looks fantastic! 🙂
Good afternoon Sibella! thank you! I saw your post shortly ago, I love chocolate cheesecake, your cake looks wonderful!
Very delicious, but in winter we have no strawberries in Germany, but I think it would be also good with frozen blueberries, have a nice Valentine´s Day, Marlies
Thank you Marlies, we don’t normally have strawberries this time of year but it has been really warm in,Florida and these were shipped to our grocery stores from Florida! Good for me because they are delicious, very sweet. I make it with frozen strawberries when I can’t get fresh and it is just as delicious. 🙂
This looks absolutely divine 🙂
Thank you Jessica, if you like cheesecake, it’s so delicious! 🙂
This is amazing!!! I am drooling!
thank you Ashley! 🙂
Oh wow, this looks delicious!!
It is really good! 🙂 The strawberries are really sweet!
Michael – this looks awesome!! I love that you were generous with full-size strawberries – just fabulous!!
Thank you Bernice! Nearly all the strawberries in the package were large!
This cheesecake looks stunning Michael! It sounds incredible and love the strawberries – perfect for Valentine’s Day:)
Hi Kelly, thank you! Strawberries and chocolate are perfect for Valentine’s Day! Happy Valentine’s Day to you!! 🙂
Wow this looks amazing! Perfect for this romantic weekend! Great recipe! Easy too!
thank you and it is perfect for Valentine’s! Happy Valentine’s Day to you!! 🙂
Michael, that cheesecake is gorgeous! I think it’s a fabulous dessert for valentines day!
Happy Valentine’s Day Marcie, thank you!
Oh my God! I love cheesecakes and this one looks so decadent! I wish I could have it now 🙂 You are truly an artist dear Michael 🙂
thank you Pallavi!! If you lived nearby I could share!! 🙂
This cheesecake is gorgeous!! I’ve only recently started liking cheesecake (I know…where have I been?) but now I’m obsessed, and this one looks so good! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Hi Rachel, this recipe is delicious, you should give it a try!!! I am glad you had the chance to visit my site too and thank you for the lovely comment! 🙂
Wow. Simply impressive.
thank you! 🙂
I’ve never met a cheesecake I didn’t like! In this case, love! This looks terrific — wonderful looks, and I’ll bet the flavor is outstanding. Good stuff — thanks.
Met too! I love cheesecake! 😉
Oh my this IS a show stopper!!! Such a gorgeous cheesecake!!!
thank you Aimee! 🙂
This cheesecake looks incredible, so rich and delicious!
thank you Pamela! It sure was delicious! 🙂
Oh my gosh,that’s a gorgeous cheesecake, Michael! I will be pinning this for the future 🙂 BTW, I pinned your chocolate cheesecake a while back and have had a LOT of repins.
I will email you when we get back in a little over a week.
Hi Susan, thank you so much, the cheesecake was delicious! Thank you for pinning both cheesecakes, I have also gotten a some visits to my site too. I am so glad you got the virus worked out on your blog! Have fin on your trip! 🙂
Now this is a cheesecake I’d love to meet!!! It’s stunning and no doubt super delicious!!
Hi Jocelyn, thank you! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Wow those are some mammoth strawberries! Your cheesecake looks wonderful. What a sweet thing to make for your wife!
I thought so too, got them at the local Sam’s club store. Thank you, Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
By golly, this is beautiful, Michael !! I’m not a big fan of cheesecake but this looks to-die-for and now, I feel like having some..lol ^.^
thank you Sharon! 🙂 You would love my cheesecake!!!
What a gorgeous cheesecake, Michael! I’d love to try it. Pinning!!!!
Hi Liz, thank you and thank you for pinning!! 🙂 I hope to try your Chocolate-Mascarpone Cheesecake soon! 🙂
Wow this looks the most amazing strawberry cheesecake I have seen! Sarah x
thank you!! 🙂 thank you for visiting Sarah!
Hi Michael, and thanks for visiting my blog. I am really glad that you did – partly because you have some great dessert recipes and also be cause I am in the market for a new end grain round cutting board. Can you email me so that I can get a price quote? Thanks!
Hi Donalyn, I am so glad you got a chance to visit my site! I love all your recipes, just finish reading about your homemade crackers, delicious!! 😉
This cake is a show stopper! I am DYING over the brownie crust- Bookmarked for sure 🙂 YUM!
Hey Michael – I just posted this on the Just Dessert Recipes FB page I help administer – hope that’s okay!! Hopefully it will get you some traffic!
No problem Kelli!! can you send me the link so I can see!! 🙂
Sure – you have to ask to join first though – do you have a FB page : has to be your personal FB page though, no community pages.https://www.facebook.com/groups/657670590923088/ Today’s my day so I can approve you right away if you do!
thank you Kelli, no Facebook page just yet…
My goodness this is a gorgeous show stopper! She is a very lucky lady! Your talents never cease to amaze me. I love that brownie crust – going to have to try this one!!!
Thank you Tricia! I feel like I am the lucky one! I went to Sam’s this morning and purchased some really beautiful strawberries and plan to make another cheesecake Thursday evening! The brownie crust adds that little bit of chocolate 🙂