Strawberry Celebration Cheesecake

Desserts

Tick-tock…tick-tock…guests will surely count down the minutes until they can dig into this creamy strawberry cheesecake, then ask for seconds.

Average Rating: 0

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min. + cooling
YIELD: 10 servings.

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 24 squares)
3 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
FILLING:
2 cartons (8 ounces each) spreadable strawberry cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Additional whipped topping, fresh strawberries and melted semisweet chocolate, optional

1. In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1-in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes; cool.
2. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Gently spread a third of the filling over crust. Arrange strawberries on top. Spoon remaining filling over berries; smooth top. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Just before serving, garnish with additional whipped topping, whole strawberries and melted chocolate if desired.