Recipe #8 Cheesecake Classic with a Homemade Strawberry Glaze

So I owed my friend a surprise and I know they are a fan of cheesecake so I figured this would be a prefect recipe to try and make!!

INGREDIENTS:

For the crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup white sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

For the filling

2 packages (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened*

2/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
For the crust

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together the cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl until evenly moistened. Press into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. If you do not have a springform pan you can go to a grocery store and buy a throwable pie pan with a lid cover and press the mixture into the bottom. Thats what I did!!!

DIRECTIONS:
For the filling

1. In large mixing bowl beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add 2/3 cup sugar, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined after each addition.
2. Place crust on baking sheet. Spread cream cheese mixture in crust. Bake on baking sheet at 350°F about 30 minutes or until center is almost set.
3. In small bowl combine sour cream, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Carfeully spread over cheesecake. Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.


*NOTE: Soften cream cheese in microwave at high for 15 to 20 seconds.

For the homemade strawberry glaze:
This is really easy to make!!!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pt. fresh strawberries
• 3/4 c. water
• 2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 c. sugar
• Red food coloring (optional) I added about 4 to 5 drops!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Crush 1 cup of strawberries with a potato masher. Add water and cook 2 minutes. Mix in cornstarch and sugar, slowly into the mixture. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly.  
2. Cook and stir until mixture is thick and clear. (Add red food coloring if desired, I did.) Cool to room temperature.
3. I cut up some more strawberries and just added it to the glaze after it cooled.

Bon Appetit!!!