Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake

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Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or Golden Oreos, crushed)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake filling:

  • 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the strawberry crunch topping:

  • 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
  • 1 cup Golden Oreos, crushed
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Optional strawberry sauce:

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust:
    • Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
    • In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
    • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.
  2. Make the filling:
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
    • Add sugar and mix until combined. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix again.
    • Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix.
  3. Bake the cheesecake:
    • Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
    • Wrap the bottom of the pan with foil and place in a larger baking pan. Fill the larger pan with about an inch of hot water to create a water bath.
    • Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly.
    • Turn off the oven, crack the oven door, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
  4. Chill:
    • Remove cheesecake from oven and water bath. Run a knife around the edges, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  5. Make the strawberry crunch topping:
    • In a bowl, combine crushed freeze-dried strawberries, crushed Golden Oreos, and melted butter until crumbly.
    • Sprinkle the crunch topping generously over the cooled cheesecake.
  6. Optional strawberry sauce:
    • In a small saucepan, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the strawberries break down and the sauce thickens slightly. Cool before drizzling.
  7. Serve:
    • Top slices with extra fresh strawberries and drizzle with strawberry sauce if desired. Enjoy!

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