Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake

 

This strawberries and cream cheesecake is heaven in a tin. Who doesn't love cheese, strawberries, biscuits and cream? That is basically what this recipe is all creamed into one tin.

This cheesecake is perfect for this time of year; with summer blooming and Wimbledon beginning (you could make this recipe as a twist on the classic strawberries and cream) what better time to make this recipe then now?

 Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake:

*Adapted from the hummingbird bakery recipe*

Ingredients:

Base:

220g Digestive Biscuits

100g Melted Butter

Topping:

200g Chopped Strawberries

100g Strawberries halved for the topping

180g Caster Sugar

600g Cream Cheese

2 Eggs

100g Mascarpone Cheese

20g Icing Sugar

100ml Double Cream

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 3. Line the base of the tin with baking paper. Blitz the biscuits into crumbs using a food processor or crush them by putting them in an sealed bag and bash with a rolling pin.

2. Combine the biscuit crumbs and melted butter into a bowl. Tip the crumbs into the prepared tin and pat down making sure they are evenly dispersed. Leave to set in the fridge for 30 minutes.

3. In the mean time put the strawberries, 80g of th sugar and 50ml of water into a saucepan. Bring to the boil then leave to simmer until the strawberries are soft and the water has reduced to half its original size. Leave to cool.

4. For the cheese topping, whisk together the cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and continue to whisk to well combined. Fold in the cooked strawberries.

5. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared tin. Put in the oven to bake for 30 minutes, until firm on top but slightly wobbly in the center. 

6. Allow the cheesecake to cool and then place in the fridge to set for 2 hours.

7. Meanwhile, beat the mascarpone cheese and icing sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl whip the double cream until stiff peaks form and then fold into the mascarpone mixture.

8. Take the chilled cheesecake out of the fridge and pour the mascarpone cream on top of the cheesecake and spread evenly. Place back in the fridge for a few hours, or preferably overnight to set.

9. When ready to serve remove the cheesecake from the fridge and top with the fresh halved strawberries.

Voillaaaaa done! There are a lot of steps to this cheesecake I know; but trust me it will be worth it once you get to tuck in!