Berry Glazed Cheesecake

Luscious cheesecake with a graham cracker crust and a fabulous fresh strawberry glaze.

Recipe Ingredients:

Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
2 cups (16 ounces) Wisconsin ricotta cheese or cream-style cottage cheese, drained
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 large egg yolks
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 large egg whites

Berry Glaze:
1 pint strawberries
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Cooking Directions:

1. For Crust: Combine crumbs, sugar and butter until well-blended. Press onto bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan. Chill while preparing filling.
2. For Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and ricotta cheese until smooth; add sugar, vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in egg yolks. Gradually blend in flour. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into cheese mixture. Turn into pan.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1 1/4 hours; then turn off heat, open oven door and let cool in oven to room temperature. (It is normal for cake to sink slightly in center.) Chill before adding Berry Glaze.
4. For Berry Glaze: Mash 1/2 cup of the strawberries. Place in saucepan with sugar, 1/2 cup water and lemon juice; bring to boil.
5. Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and add to fruit mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens; remove from heat and cool.
6. Top cooled cheesecake with remaining berries; pour glaze over cheesecake.

Makes 12 servings.

Recipe provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.