A few weeks ago I was searching for a dessert to make for Paul's birthday. He was insistent upon a strawberry cheesecake and I wasn't able to find a recipe I liked. My friend Palma sent me this one to see if it would fit the bill. I didn't end up using it but decided I'd have to try it prior to the end of strawberry season (and judging by the baskets at the market last week the end is near!)
I made this pie for dinner on Friday and it was great. Palma let me know that she prefers her pie 'unadorned' i.e. with the strawberry sauce on the side. I like it on top so a doubled the corn starch called for and spread it on top as a glaze.
I suspect that I will make this pie many times again because you could use any fruit with it - it is a pie for all seasons! A graham cracker crust filled with a chesecakelike filling, topped with a layer of vanilla flavoured sour cream and topped with fruit. WOW
Enjoy!
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
Crust:
1 ¾ c. graham cracker crumbs
1/3 c. melted butter
¼ c. sugar
Mix these ingredients and press into a 10 “ pyrex pie plate. Do NOT bake.
Filling:
2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. sugar
2 t. vanilla
½ t. fresh lemon juice
Beat above ingredients until smooth. Pour into crust and bake at 350 for 20 min. Cool five min. and reduce oven to 325.
Sour Cream Topping:
1 c. sour cream
3 T. sugar
1 t. vanilla.
Pour over pie and bake another 10-15 min at 325. Chill.
(Note, I baked this for about 25 minutes until the sour cream was almost set)
Garnish with fresh berries and mint or serve with the following Strawberry Sauce (may use any berry)
Strawberry Sauce:
1 1/2 c. chopped strawberries
1/4 c. sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
Place chopped strawberries and sugar in saucepan and puree. Place over low heat, remove a small amount of the sauce into a small bowl. Add cornstarch to the bowl, mix thoroughly. Add contents of the bowl back into the saucepan and mix thoroughly. Stir constantly until sauce is thick enough to cover the spoon. Allow the sauce to cook to room temperature.
What a marvelous looking cheesecake slice!
Posted by: S for Kitchen Confit | July 22, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Thanks S - you should give it a shot!
Posted by: Jerry | July 22, 2008 at 08:22 PM
I made this for my parents last week, and it was, according to my Dad, "extra good". I also cooked it longer to get the sour cream to set. The strawberry glaze was simple to make, and it finishes it off nicely. I am not a baker, but I would make this again.
Posted by: MarionP | July 23, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Looks good!
I guess I'll wait for Christmas.
Part of it is the anticipation for me! Once a year whether I need it or not.
Posted by: Palma | July 23, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Oh my, I get to have "virtual" dessert. I have had anything sweet in five weeks. I'm agonizing!
Posted by: Deb R | July 24, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Deb - after a surgery such as your a virtual dessert si all you can manage. I hope it works out for you - I could never manage it myself! *smile*
Posted by: Jerry | July 27, 2008 at 07:12 AM