Ingredients
– 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– 16 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup heavy whipping cream
– 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– ¼ cup strawberry preserves (optional, for drizzling)
Equipment Needed
– 9-inch springform pan
– Mixing bowls
– Electric mixer (hand or stand)
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Rubber spatula
– Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, I preheat my oven to 325°F (160°C) and gather all my ingredients. The first thing I do is prepare the crust. I mix the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter in a bowl until it resembles wet sand. Then, I press this mixture firmly into the bottom of my springform pan and bake it for about 10 minutes. This gives it that lovely, toasted flavor. Once baked, I take it out and let it cool. It’s the smell of the crust baking that always puts me in the mood to bake more desserts! (See the next page below to continue steps…)