HealthNotes

Strawberry Black Forest Cheesecake

• From: Florida Strawberry Growers Association

Ingredients

• Cheesecake1 1/2 cups crushed Oreos

• 1/4 cup melted butter

• 24 oz cream cheese

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 cup melted dark chocolate chips

• Topping1 cup mashed strawberries

• 3/4 cup water

• 3/4 cup white sugar

• 3 Tbs cornstarch

• 1 Tbs lemon juice

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 4 cups sliced strawberries

• 1/2 cup chocolate shavings

• Whipped cream

This take on a German classic features a dark chocolate cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries.

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Use a food processor to mix together the crushed Oreo cookies and butter. Once evenly mixed, press into a springform pan, and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
• Blend the cream cheese and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time, mixing between each addition. Add vanilla followed by the melted chocolate chips.
• After 10 minutes, once crust is cooked, lower the temperature to 250°F for 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine mashed strawberries and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil and simmer for about 3 minutes.
• Strain juice from cooked strawberries and add enough water to make 1 cup of juice. Discard pulp.
• Combine sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt in a saucepan; stir strawberry juice into sugar mixture.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until clear and thick, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly. Stir sliced strawberries into strawberry sauce.
• Remove cake from oven and top with strawberry topping. Place cheesecake in a refrigerator overnight to cool before serving.
• Garnish with chocolate shavings and/or whipped cream just before serving.