SPRINGFORM PAN USED FOR RECIPES

Steps:

• Position a rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Very generously butter an 18x13" rimmed baking sheet (do not line with parchment).
• Melt remaining 1/2 cup butter in a small heatproof bowl in the microwave or set over a pot of barely simmering water. Mix sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour butter over and stir until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula after each addition, until batter is thick, shiny, and smooth. Stir in flour until well incorporated, then beat vigorously for 30–40 strokes. Stir in nuts or chocolate chips.
• Using a spatula, spread batter into a thin, even layer to edges and into corners of prepared sheet (batter will seem scant but brownies will rise to about 1/4" thick).
• Bake brownies until firm to the touch and a tester inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not runny batter) attached, 15–18 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Cut into 36 pieces and serve.
• Brownies can be made 5 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze up to 6 months.

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 325°. Wrap heavy-duty foil around the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Spray the inside of the pan lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press into the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of the springform pan. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 14 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• For the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until no lumps remain, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, gradually add the sour cream, sugar, flour and salt, beating until the batter is smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, until just combined after each addition. Continue scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Stir in the vanilla bean paste.
• Pour the filling into the pan and place it into a large roasting pan. Place the pan into the oven and quickly pour hot water into the roasting pan so that it comes up about halfway up the foil-wrapped springform pan.
• Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes or until the cheesecake is set on the sides and just barely jiggles in the center when the pan is shaken. Turn the oven off and crack the oven door. Leave the cheesecake in the oven for 15 minutes.
• Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and transfer to a wire rack. Let the cheesecake continue cooling to room temperature, about 2 hours. Place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to chill completely.
• For the topping: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 pound of the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and salt over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until strawberries break down and the sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining 1/2 lb. strawberries and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
• To serve: Run a thin knife along the edge of the pan before removing the sides from the pan. Top the cheesecake with strawberry mixture just before serving.