Strawberry Red Velvet Crunch Cheesecake

A fabulous fusion of creamy cheesecake and rich red velvet layers awaits you! This stunning dessert is sure to impress at any gathering.

Ingredients:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (including eggs, oil, and water as directed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup strawberry preserves or jam
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar (plus additional for strawberries if desired)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Red Velvet Cake Layers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans. Prepare the red velvet cake mix according to the package instructions, incorporating the cocoa powder and using buttermilk for extra moisture. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely before removing them from the pans.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Filling
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Blend in the sour cream and eggs, mixing until everything is fully incorporated and smooth. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C). Slice the cooled red velvet cakes into thin layers to fit your cheesecake pan.

Step 3: Assemble the Cheesecake
In a springform or cheesecake pan, place a layer of red velvet cake at the bottom. Pour half of the cheesecake filling over the cake layer, smoothing it out evenly. Add another layer of red velvet cake and pour the remaining cheesecake filling on top. Bake for around 45-50 minutes or until the cheesecake is set, with a slight jiggle in the center. Let it cool in the pan before refrigerating for at least 3 hours, or ideally overnight, for the layers to firm up.

Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Topping
In a mixing bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with the optional sugar and strawberry preserves. Allow them to sit for about 10 minutes to create a delicious, natural syrup.

Step 5: Create the Crunch Base and Finish the Cheesecake
In a small bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until the crumbs are evenly moistened. You can either press this mixture into the bottom of the pan or sprinkle it on top of the chilled cheesecake. Once the cheesecake has set, add the strawberry mixture on top and finish with a sprinkle of the graham cracker crunch. For extra flair, garnish with additional fresh strawberries if desired.

Nutritional Information: This recipe yields approximately 12 servings. Each serving contains around 350 calories, 20g of fat, 40g of carbohydrates, and 5g of protein.

Time: Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Chilling time: 3 hours minimum.