CHEESE CAKE with Strawberry Glaze

Instructions

1. 1

   For the Crust: Crush 12 vanilla wafers. In a bowl, combine crushed wafers with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix well. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes. Let cool completely.

2. 2

   For the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until they are lemon-colored. Add 1 lb. cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 3 tbsp flour, 1 tsp vanilla, and 3 tbsp lemon juice. Mix until well combined and smooth.

3. 3

   In a separate clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cream cheese mixture.

4. 4

   Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust in the springform pan.

5. 5

   Bake the cheesecake at 300°F (150°C) for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and let the cake cool inside the oven for 3 hours before removing.

6. 6

   For the Strawberry Glaze: In a saucepan, mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Gradually add 1/2 cup water, stirring until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 tsp butter and 1/4 cup sliced strawberries. Stir until thick. Let cool.

7. 7

   Once the cheesecake is completely cooled, arrange fresh strawberries on top (optional, if not using the sliced strawberries in the glaze as the only fruit). Pour the prepared strawberry glaze over the cake.