Glazed Strawberry Cheesecake

Name: Glazed Strawberry Cheesecake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 16 servings.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup ground pecans; 3/4 cup crushed vanilla wafers (about 25 wafers); 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; FILLING:; 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1-2/3 cups sugar, divided; 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided; 4 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 cup sour cream; GLAZE:; 4 teaspoons cornstarch; 1/3 cup orange liqueur; 1 jar (10 ounces) seedless raspberry spreadable fruit; 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

This ruby-red showstopper has been a family favorite for more than 30 years. When I take it to potluck parties and other get-togethers, we devour every last bite.—Jan Decarlantonio, Centreville, Maryland

Ingredients

3/4 cup ground pecans
3/4 cup crushed vanilla wafers (about 25 wafers)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
FILLING:
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-2/3 cups sugar, divided
3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
GLAZE:
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup orange liqueur
1 jar (10 ounces) seedless raspberry spreadable fruit
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Wrap foil securely around pan.
In a small bowl, mix pecans and wafer crumbs; stir in butter. Press onto bottom and 1/2 in. up sides of prepared pan.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1-1/3 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
Bake until center is almost set, 65-75 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes on a wire rack. In a small bowl, mix sour cream and remaining sugar and vanilla; spread over top of cheesecake. Bake 5 minutes longer.
Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled.
In a small saucepan, whisk cornstarch and liqueur until smooth. Stir in spreadable fruit; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
Remove rim from springform pan. Arrange strawberries over cheesecake; top with some of the glaze, allowing glaze to drip down sides. Refrigerate until glaze is set, about 1 hour. To serve, gently warm remaining glaze; serve with cheesecake.