STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the base, butter and line a 23cm loose-bottomed tin with baking parchment. Put the digestive biscuits in a plastic food bag and crush to crumbs using a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl, then pour over the melted butter. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are completely coated. Tip them into the prepared tin and press firmly down into the base to create an even layer. Chill in the fridge for 1 hr to set firmly. For more detail on how to make a biscuit base, take a look at our how to make a biscuit base video.
• Slice the vanilla pod in half lengthways, leaving the tip intact, so that the two halves are still joined. Holding onto the tip of the pod, scrape out the seeds using the back of a kitchen knife.
• Pour the double cream into a bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until it’s just starting to thicken to soft peaks. Place the soft cheese, icing sugar and the vanilla seeds in a separate bowl, then beat for 2 mins with an electric mixer until smooth and starting to thicken, it will get thin and then start to thicken again. Tip in the double cream and fold it into the soft cheese mix. You’re looking for it to be thickened enough to hold its shape when you tip a spoon of it upside down. If it’s not thick enough, continue to whisk. Spoon onto the biscuit base, starting from the edges and working inwards, making sure that there are no air bubbles. Smooth the top of the cheesecake down with the back of a dessert spoon or spatula. Leave to set in the fridge overnight.
• Bring the cheesecake to room temperature about 30 mins before serving. To remove it from the tin, place the base on top of a can, then gradually pull the sides of the tin down. Slip the cake onto a serving plate, removing the lining paper and base. Purée half the strawberries in a blender or food processor with the icing sugar and 1 tsp water, then sieve. Pile the remaining strawberries onto the cake, and pour the purée over the top.

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.