Daiquiri Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce

All the flavors of your favorite cocktail in a cheesecake with a wonderful, fresh strawberry sauce to top it off.

Recipe Ingredients:

Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbsz
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine, melted

Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons grated lime rind
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons light rum

Topping:
1 quart fresh strawberries - divided use
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - divided use
2 tablespoons light rum

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. For Crust: Stir together cracker crumbs, sugar and butter; firmly press into bottom and halfway up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
3. Increase oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
4. For Filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add sour cream, eggs, lime rind, lime juice and rum, beating just until blended. Pour into prepared pan.
5. Bake for 1 hour. Run a knife around edge to release sides from pan. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill 8 hours.
6. For Topping: Reserve 1 cup strawberries and combine remaining strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, lime juice and rum in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often; reduce heat, and simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture reaches syrup consistency. Cool.
7. Process cooked strawberry mixture in a blender until smooth. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a bowl. Chill.
8. About 30 minutes before you're ready to serve, cut reserved strawberries in half and toss with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar; chill.
9. Serve strawberries and sauce over cheesecake.

Makes 12 servings.