Maple Cheesecake Recipe

This recipe for maple cheesecake is easy to throw together when you need a yummy dessert.

Ingredients

Crust
24 graham crackers
(or 3 1/2 cups of crushed graham crackers)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup maple syrup

Filling
4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
4 large eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup whipping cream

Strawberry Sauce
10 oz frozen strawberries
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Garnish
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds

(Makes 1 - 10 inch round cake)

Directions

Crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

If you are using full graham crackers, begin by grinding in a food processor.

Using a large bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and maple syrup.

Press this mixture into the into a 10-inch springform pan, going up the sides as well.

Using heavy aluminum foil, wrap the bottoms and sides of the pan with 2 pieces. This will prevent water leaking in from water bath.

Set crust aside.

Fill a 9 x 13 inch pan with about 1 inch of hot water and place into oven.

Filling

In a large bowl, cream the softened cream cheese, scraping down the sides when needed, until smooth.

Add in maple syrup and mix.

Add eggs one at a time, beat well after each one.

Mix in vanilla and whipping cream and beat until it is just combined.

Pour over prepared crust.

Place the cheesecake into the �water bath� in the oven. The water should come halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan.

Bake for 1 hour in the center of the oven.

The cheesecake is ready when you can give the pan a wiggle and the center is still a bit wiggly looking. The sides will be firm and pulling away from pan edges.

Remove from oven and cool in pan.

Cover and chill in fridge for 8 hour before serving.

Strawberry Sauce

In a medium saucepan, add all ingredients and bring to a low simmer.

Cook and stir occasionally for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat, and blend in blender or with food processor to make smooth.

Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and strain strawberry sauce.

Discard the seeds.

To serve cheesecake drizzle with sauce and garnish with chopped nuts.