Today I have a great recipe to make for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day! (OR, if you don’t have a sweetie, make this and devour the whole thing yourself… I don’t judge.) It’s nice a creamy and not overly sweet vanilla cheesecake. The tartness from the strawberry sauce really sets it off! When I made this, everyone really loved it!
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Sauce
This cheesecake and strawberry sauce are super easy recipes too, so don’t be scared you CAN make your own cheesecake!
This recipe for the cheesecake was adapted from here.
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Sauce
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 1 stick butter 1/2 Cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 Cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 Tbls sugar
- Filling:
- 2 8 oz pkgs cream cheese softened
- 1 Cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 each vanilla bean
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Strawberry Sauce:
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
- 3 Tbls powdered sugar
- 2 Tbls water
Instructions
- For the crust, mix all of the ingredients and place in the bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Press down and make an even layer, going up the sides of the pan about an inch if you can, this is optional. Set the crust aside as we mix the filling.
- For the filling, place all of the ingredients in a bowl except for the vanilla bean. Split the vanilla bean down the middle length wise and use the back of the knife or spoon and scrap out the seeds (if you don't have fresh vanilla beans, just substitute an additional 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract). Add this to the bowl and mix with a hand mixer until everything is smooth. Pour on top of crust.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-45 minutes. Mine was perfect after 35 minutes. You want to filling to be ever so slightly wiggly in the center.
- Let cool completely on a wire rack. Now, store in the fridge with plastic wrap covering until ready to serve.
- For the sauce, wash strawberries, cut off tops and slice in half or large chunks and pop in a blender.
- Add the water and powdered sugar 1Tbls at a time. Mix until it forms a smooth sauce. Taste and add the remaining sugar if needed. Depending on the time of the year, the strawberries can be more tart. So just add the powdered sugar to your taste. Blend again to mix in any additional sugar.
- Serve the cheesecake with the sauce on top and enjoy!
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Step by Step Directions
For the crust, mix all of the ingredients and place in the bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Press down and make an even layer, going up the sides of the pan about an inch if you can, this is optional. Set the crust aside as we mix the filling.
For the filling, place all of the ingredients in a bowl except for the vanilla bean. Split the vanilla bean down the middle length wise and use the back of the knife or spoon and scrap out the seeds (if you don’t have fresh vanilla beans, just substitute an additional 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract). Add this to the bowl and mix with a hand mixer until everything is smooth. Pour on top of crust.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-45 minutes. Mine was perfect after 35 minutes. You want to filling to be ever so slightly wiggly in the center.
Let cool completely on a wire rack. Now, store in the fridge with plastic wrap covering until ready to serve.
Serve the cheesecake with the sauce on top and enjoy!
Very simple, I make the strawberry sauce for store bought cheesecakes as well. My hubby loves his strawberry drizzle! LOL
I hope you enjoyed this recipe, what is your favorite cheesecake topper??
Looking for more sweet treats? Click on the images below to be taken to the recipe!
Need even MORE yummy inspiration?? Make sure to follow my food board on Pinterest!
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I participate in these linky parties, DIYHSHP and Orj Junkie.
'Til Next time!
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Pinned! I will be trying this recipe for sure. I just love the combination of fruit and cheesecake 🙂 Found your blog on Weekend Potluck!
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There is nothing better then cheesecake in my dessert world! I could eat it day and night. I have been searching for a simple strawberry topping for my cheesecake and I believe I’ve found it. I love your take on vanilla bean added to this cheesecake. This is a little piece of heaven for me just waiting for a special occasion so I can make this and dig in!!!!! (who am I kidding..who needs a special occasion…ha ha)
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Thank you so much for linking up this post at The Weekend re-Treat Link Party on The Best Blog Recipes this week! Wanted to stop by and pin your post to our Party Boards 🙂
Shauna @ The Best Blog Recipes
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This is so pretty and looks mouthwatering! Thanks so much for sharing with everyone at Sewlicious Home Decor! I’ve pinned it to the Valentine board!
Marti
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and pinned it to the party board!
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Fresh strawberry sauce? Omigosh, YUM!
And I love me a springform pan.
Stopping by from Our Sunday Best Showcase at A Pretty Little Life, and I’m glad I did 🙂
Have a great evening!
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Dana, I definitely think this should be added to the dessert menu for valentine’s day at my house!
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Blueberries are my favorite cheesecake topper. I love vanilla and I love cheesecake. This recipe is a keeper! Thank you.
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My husband loves vanilla cheesecake (who am I kidding, so do I!). Thank you for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday
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LOVE cheesecake – any kind really. And I don’t even care about the lactose in it. It’s such a delicious treat. So this recipe is fantastic.
I’m Coming over from the V-Day SITS linky party 🙂 Have a lovely rest of your day!
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Oh.my.gosh. I want to make this right now! Getting the list together so I can try this over the weekend. Thank you!!
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Hey Dana,
Your cheesecake recipe looks great. Have a great week and thanks for sharing at Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Link Party.
Debi and Charly
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Oh my this looks so good. Hope I can get around to giving it a try. I love the sauce and I am thinking it would go so well with many things…… Humm…. Must pin this one for sure. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Beverly
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This looks soooo delicious! That strawberry syrup must be divine. I will definitely need to try this!
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I just love the fresh strawberry sauce! So pretty and I bet it’s delicious!
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I love how pretty this looks with the strawberry sauce on it, bonus points because you used it to top my favorite dessert of all time, Thank you so much for linking this up at the Shine a Spotlight Saturday Link Party on Angels Homestead this week!
April
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This looks so good. My husband is a sucker for berries and he’d love this. I think I’ll add this to my dessert ideas for Valentine’s day. We don’t have to stop at just one dessert, right? Thanks for sharing it at Thursday S.T.Y.L.E.
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Strawberry cheesecake is my all time fav! I think I could make this! Thanks for linking to Snickerdoodle Sunday!
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This looks delicious! That strawberry sauce probably makes it even more perfect! Pinning!