Easy Spring Dessert – Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping

Cheesecake is an all-time favorite. If many people are told to choose between it and other desserts, they will quickly pick it. However, modern cheesecake is filled with fancy embellishments that have made us forget how a real cheesecake tastes. This easy spring dessert takes you back in time. Its only addition is the strawberry topping which is drizzled over the top. To make the cake, follow these directions from Epicurious.

 Easy Spring Dessert – Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping

Image via: The Healthy Foodie

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Ingredients

For the Crust

• 5 tbsp of unsalted butter (melted)
• A 10-ounce packet of shortbread cookies

For the Filling

• ½ tsp of almond extract
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp of all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
• 10 ounces of frozen unsweetened strawberries (thaw and reserve the juice)
• 3 packets of cream cheese (8-ounces)
• 3 big eggs

For the Topping

• 3 packets of fresh strawberries (1-pint) halved lengthwise
• ⅓ cup of strawberry or black currant jelly

Preparation

For the Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 325⁰. Butter a large, circular pan.
2. Put the cookies in the processor and grind them to crumbs.
3. Add butter to the crumbs until they are moist.
4. Put the mixture in the prepared pan and bake until the crust turns golden.
5. Remove and set aside.

Image via: Erecipe 

For the Filling

1. Blend the melted strawberries and juice in a processor until they are smooth.
2. Fill a cup with ¾ of the puree and reserve the rest for another use.
3. Put the cream cheese and sugar in the processor and mix. Add the flour and continue blending. Add eggs and blend until smooth, scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally.
4. Add the vanilla extract, strawberry puree, almond extract, lemon juice, and blend until fully mixed.
5. Put the mixture in the prepared crust. Bake until the center is soft and the edges change color (for about 1 hour 15 minutes).
6. Place the cake on a rack then refrigerate until cold. You can make the cake in advance.

For the Topping

1. Cook the jelly in low heat until it melts.
2. Arrange the berries on top of the cheesecake and brush them with the warm jelly.
3. Chill the cake for at least 1 hour then serve.

This cheesecake is everything you would expect from a cheesecake and more. It is tangy, creamy, and melts in the mouth. You can do away with the strawberry topping if you just want a regular cheesecake. However, it is highly recommended. For a perfect finishing touch, add whipped cream.

What do you love about this easy spring dessert?