Ingredients
– 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– ½ cup powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 cup whipped cream
– 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers
– ¼ cup melted butter
– ½ cup chopped nuts (e.g., almonds or walnuts)
– Optional: Additional strawberries for garnish
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls
– Electric mixer or whisk
– Baking dish
– Parchment paper
– Refrigerator
– Chef’s knife and cutting board
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, I like to prepare my strawberries first. I wash, hull, and chop them, placing them in a bowl with a sprinkle of sugar to enhance their natural sweetness. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to release some juice. While those are macerating, I whip up the cheesecake mixture. In a separate mixing bowl, I beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and creamy. Then I carefully fold in the whipped cream until it’s all combined into a heavenly, fluffy mixture. (See the next page below to continue steps…)