Cheesecake to die for!

Last week I had a wedding cake for a high school friend of my sisters.

This is not the most traditional of wedding cakes!
But in my humble opinion it is one of the best. The flavor is outstanding, and the guests cluster around the table, just waiting for the moment when the bride and groom will slice into the creamy goodness of new york cheesecake, and tart sweetness of the glazed strawberries, all surrounded by a smooth cream icing.

Cheesecake can come in many different shapes and sizes, bars, rounds, pops, wedges, but they are all good. Below is one of my favorite recipes for cheesecake bars. This recipe IS different from what I use for wedding cakes, and I wouldn't recommend it for this purpose, because it is almost TOO creamy. But it will wow your friends and neighbors at barbecues or family get togethers.

Prep Time:
15 min

Total Time:
5 hr 5 min

Makes:
16 servings, one piece each

1-1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs, or pecan sandies (My Favorite)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted

1-1/4 cups sugar, divided

4 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened

2 tsp. vanilla, divided

1 container (16 oz.) Sour Cream, divided

4 eggs

2 cups strawberries, sliced
1/2 tsp. lemon juice

PREHEAT oven to 325°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Mix crumbs, butter and 2 Tbsp. of the sugar; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan.

BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup of the remaining sugar and 1 tsp. of the vanilla and lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add 1 cup of the sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.

BAKE 40 min. or until center is almost set. Mix remaining sour cream, 2 Tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla until well blended; carefully spread over cheesecake. Bake an additional 10 min. Cool. Cover; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Lift cheesecake from pan, using foil handles. Top with strawberries just before serving. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

To make the presentation even more spectacular glaze the strawberries. Crush about 1 cup strawberries, add 1/2 c sugar. Cook over medium heat, add 2 T cornstarch dissolved in a little water. Cook until thick. Let cool, and brush over berries on cheesecake.

Enjoy!!!