Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ¼ cup strawberry jam (optional)
Equipment Needed
- 9-inch springform pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (or a whisk, if you’re feeling strong!)
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving platter
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start off, I preheat my oven to 325°F (163°C) because a great cheesecake needs the right temperature for that perfect bake. Meanwhile, I mix together my graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until it resembles wet sand. This crumbly mixture gets pressed firmly into the bottom of my springform pan to form a sturdy base for my cheesecake. Once I have it all set, I pop it into the oven for about 10 minutes until it’s just barely golden. This step is vital for that delicious crunchy layer. (See the next page below to continue steps…)