Valentine's Day Cheesecake
A creamy and elegant cheesecake infused with fresh strawberry puree, perfectly suited for Valentine's Day celebrations.
Ingrédients
Crust Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs Can substitute with gluten-free crumbs.
- 1/2 cup melted butter Use dairy-free butter for a vegan version.
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar Can reduce using natural sweeteners like honey or monk fruit.
- 4 packages cream cheese, softened (8 ounces each) Can substitute with dairy-free vegan cream cheese.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For added flavor.
- 4 large eggs Add one at a time to avoid overmixing.
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed Can substitute with other pureed fruits like raspberries or blueberries.
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather and measure all your ingredients.
Baking the Crust
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until fully combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to create a crust.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes, until lightly golden.
Making the Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, mixing each in until just combined.
- Gently fold in the pureed strawberries.
Final Steps
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared crust.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes until the center is set but still slightly wobbly.
- Let the cheesecake cool at room temperature for about 1 hour.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Serving
- Before serving, decorate with fresh strawberries on top.
- Slice into pieces and serve.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.