Company Cheesecake will make you swoon from the first bite! This elegant cheesecake has a sour cream topping and a strawberry or cherry glaze. It's rich, decadent and wonderfully festive for holidays.
enough water added to reserved cherry liquid to measure 1 cup total liquid
4dropsred food coloring
Instructions
CHEESECAKE:
Heat oven to 350°.
Stir together graham cracker crumbs and 4 tbsp. granulated sugar in a small mixing bowl with a fork.
Mix in butter thoroughly.
Press mixture evenly in bottom of 10-inch springform pan.
Bake 10 minutes.
Cool.
Reduce oven temperature to 300°.
Beat cream cheese in large mixer bowl with an electric mixer.
Gradually add granulated sugar, beating until fluffy.
Add lemon peel and vanilla.
Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Pour over crumb mixture.
Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes until center is firm.
Cool to room temperature.
Spread with sour cream and Strawberry Glaze.
STRAWBERRY GLAZE:
Mash enough fresh strawberries to measure 1 cup.
Blend 1 cup granulated sugar and 3 tbsp. cornstarch in small saucepan.
Stir in 1/3 cup water and the strawberries.
Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.
Boil and stir in minute.
Cool thoroughly.
CHERRY GLAZE:
Drain 1 can (1 lb.) pitted red tart cherries, reserving liquid.
Add enough water to cherry liquid to measure 1 cup.
Mix ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 tbsp. cornstarch in small sauce pan.
Stir in the 1 cup liquid.
Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.
Boil and stir 1 minute.
Remove from heat; stir in cherries and 4 drops red food coloring.
Cool thoroughly.
Notes
NOTE: You can use either the cherry or the strawberry glaze. Because of the way the recipe card works, it calculates both strawberry and cherry topping, so the actual calories per serving will be less.
Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker cookbook, circa 1972.