Strawberry Cheesecake Extraordinaire

Crust:
1 pkg graham crackers, crumbled
1/4 C. butter, melted

Mix crumbled crackers with melted butter, shape into a 10-inch pie plate to form crust.

Cheesecake:
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 C. sugar
3 eggs
1/2 t. vanilla
 
Combine softened cream cheese with sugar and beat until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix. Pour into unbaked graham cracker crust and bake 30 minutes at 350° F.; cool for 10 minutes.

Sour Cream Topping:
1/2 pint sour cream
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 t. vanilla

Mix sour cream, sugar and vanilla and pour on top of cheesecake. Bake 15 minutes more at 350° F.; allow to cool.

Strawberry Topping:
1 1/2 T. cornstarch
1 1/2 T. strawberry gelatin
1/2 C. hot water
1/2 C. sugar
3-4 drops red food coloring
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced

Mix cornstarch, gelatin, hot water, sugar and food coloring. Cook over med. heat until thickened. Cool. Add sliced strawberries and spread over cheesecake. Chill until ready to serve.

1st Prize State Winner (1981) Georgia Farm Bureau Dairy Dessert Contest.

Yield: 8 servings