Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla Cheesecake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cheesecake Base

01 - 910g Cream Cheese, at room temperature
02 - 300g Sugar
03 - 30g Cornstarch
04 - 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste or 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
05 - 2 large Eggs
06 - 120ml Sour Cream
07 - 120ml Heavy Cream

→ Topping

08 - Strawberries, as needed
09 - Melted Chocolate, for drizzling

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - Using a stand mixer or hand-held mixer, place the cream cheese in the bowl and whip until smooth.
03 - Add the sugar and cornstarch to the bowl and mix on low for about 2 minutes.
04 - Scrape the insides out of the vanilla bean and add to the mixture. Mix in the eggs, one at a time.
05 - Blend in the heavy cream and sour cream, ensuring the mixture is smooth. Do not overmix.
06 - Place the mixture in a springform pan with a crust of your choice (e.g., graham cracker). Wrap the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil to create a barrier.
07 - Position the prepared springform pan into a shallow pan filled with boiling water. The foil prevents water from seeping in and keeps the cheesecake moist.
08 - Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the cheesecake barely jiggles when shaken.
09 - Let the cheesecake cool on a wire rack for about an hour. Then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
10 - Top the cheesecake with fresh strawberries and drizzle melted chocolate over them before serving.

# Notes:

01 - Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent cracks in the cheesecake.
02 - Using a water bath ensures an even bake and prevents the cheesecake from drying out.