Ingredients
– 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– 2 cups cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
– 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– Additional strawberries for garnish (optional)
Equipment Needed
– 9-inch springform pan
– Mixing bowls (large and medium)
– Electric mixer or whisk
– Spatula
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Rubber spatula
– Plastic wrap
Step-by-Step Instructions
To kick things off, I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C). For the crust, I combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a large mixing bowl, stirring until everything is nicely combined. Then, I press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the springform pan. This crust creates the perfect base for all those yummy layers that follow. After it’s nicely packed, I pop it in the oven for just 10 minutes to set it. I love how it smells as it bakes—there’s something so comforting about it! (See the next page below to continue steps…)