Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Line the outer perimeter of your pan with aluminum foil and generously apply butter to the inside to prevent sticking.

TO MAKE THE CRUST

Step 3: Crush the Oreo cookies, then mix with 5 tablespoons melted butter, press into the bottom of your springform pan.

TO MAKE THE FILLING

Step 4: Place one 8-ounce package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, then beat in the remaining 3 packages of the cream cheese. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat in the remaining 1 1/3 cups of the sugar, then beat in the vanilla.

Step 5: Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating the batter well after each one. Blend in heavy cream. At this point mix the filling only until completely blended. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Step 6: Gently spoon 1/2 of the cheese filling on top of the prepared crust, then spoon plops of 1/2 the jar of strawberry topping here and there. Drag a butterknife through the strawberries to marblize the cheese/straberries. Spoon in the other half of the batter and the repeat the strawberry process on top. Bake for 1 hour or until there is only a slight jiggle when shook gently.

TO MAKE THE CRUMB TOPPING

Step 7: In a small bowl or the food processor, add the 12 Oreo cookies and pulse into large crumbs. Add the softened butter and mix gently with a fork or your hands to make pea-sized pieces stick together. Scoop out 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a small bowl and set aside. Pour strawberry jello powder over the remaining crumbs and continue pinching the pieces together. Add more softened butter if needed for mixture to stick to the cake.

Step 8: Chill cheesecake for 8-24 hours before serving.