Davontae's Cheesecake

An extra special dessert--creamy cheesecake with a graham cracker crust and a strawberry glaze on top.

Ingredients:

• Crust:
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 3 Tbsp margarine or butter; melted
• Filling:
• 19 oz cream cheese; softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp lemon peel; grated
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 3 eggs
• Glaze:
• 1 cup strawberries; mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/3 cup water

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. CRUST: Stir together graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add butter and mix thoroughly. Press into a 9" springform pan. Bake 10 minutes and cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degreees. FILLING: Beat cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy. Add lemon peel and vanilla, mix. Beat in eggs one at a time until thoroughly incorporated. Pour mixture into shell. Bake 1 hour or until center is firm. Cool to room temperature and then spread with the strawberry glaze. Chill 3 hours. GLAZE: Blend sugar and cornstarch together in a small saucepan. Stir in water and strawberries. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Cool thoroughly before spreading over cheesecake.

Number of Servings: 12