Get ready for a delightful twist on classic cheesecake with our strawberry pretzel cheesecake! Imagine a creamy cheesecake perched atop a sweet and salty pretzel crust, crowned with a luscious layer of fresh strawberry goodness.
Here are some tips to ensure your strawberry pretzel cheesecake turns out perfectly:
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Don’t overmix the filling; a gentle mix ensures a creamy texture.
- Allow the cheesecake to cool and chill properly to set and develop flavors.
- Prepare the strawberry topping in advance for the best taste and consistency.
- Use a warm knife to slice the cheesecake cleanly without sticking.
Now, onto some FAQs:
- Can you use a different crust? Absolutely! Swap the pretzel crust for graham cracker crumbs or your favorite cookie crust.
- Can you use frozen strawberries? Fresh strawberries are best for flavor and texture, though frozen can be used for the cooked portion.
- Can you make the cheesecake in advance? Yes, you can prepare it a day ahead and store it in the fridge until serving time.
Ingredients
Method
For the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Crush the pretzels in a food processor until they’re in small pieces.
- Mix the pretzels with melted butter and sugar, then press into a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake for about 10 minutes until golden, then let cool.
For the filling:
- Butter the sides of the springform pan.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add other filling ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Bake at 500°F for 6-8 minutes, then reduce to 200°F and bake for 1 hour.
- Let cool in the oven, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
For the topping:
- Cook diced strawberries, sugar, vanilla, and water until thickened.
- Mix water and cornstarch, then add to the saucepan and cook until glossy.
- Remove from heat, add lemon juice, zest, and sliced strawberries, then let cool.
- Pour over the chilled cheesecake and refrigerate for 2 hours before slicing and serving.