Strawberry Red Velvet Cheesecake

A Strawberry Red Velvet Cheesecake is a beautiful and indulgent dessert, combining the rich, velvety texture of red velvet cake with the creamy sweetness of cheesecake, and a burst of strawberry flavor. Here’s how you can make this luscious treat:

Ingredients:

For the Red Velvet Cake Layer:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp red food coloring
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp white vinegar

For the Strawberry Cheesecake Layer:

• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, pureed (or strawberry jam)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, to stabilize)

For the Strawberry Topping (optional):

• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• Strawberry sauce or strawberry preserves

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Red Velvet Cake Layer

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, egg, vanilla extract, food coloring, buttermilk, and vinegar until smooth.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan, smoothing the top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the vanilla extract and pureed strawberries (or strawberry jam) to the cream cheese mixture, blending until well combined.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the sour cream and heavy cream.
4. If you want a firmer cheesecake layer, add cornstarch and mix until smooth.

Step 3: Assemble the Cheesecake

1. Once the red velvet cake has cooled, cut it into an even layer if it’s risen too much. This will be your base.
2. Place the red velvet cake layer back into the springform pan (it will act as the bottom of the cheesecake).
3. Pour the cheesecake batter over the red velvet layer in the pan, smoothing the top.
4. Bake the cheesecake at 325°F (163°C) for about 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set, and the center is slightly wobbly.
5. Turn off the oven, crack the oven door, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Afterward, chill it in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight.

Step 4: Decorate and Serve

1. Before serving, top the cheesecake with fresh strawberry slices and drizzle with strawberry sauce or preserves for an extra burst of flavor.
2. Slice and enjoy your creamy, decadent Strawberry Red Velvet Cheesecake!

This dessert is a showstopper, with the bold red velvet cake layer complemented by the creamy strawberry cheesecake filling. It’s perfect for special occasions, like Valentine’s Day or birthdays!