Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Step 2

Evenly divide the coarsely crushed cookies into 2 small mixing bowls.

Step 3

Pour 1 of the 3 ounce boxes of dry strawberry gelatin mix over 1 of the bowls of cookie crumbs and stir to combine.

Step 4

Pour 2 tablespoons of the melted unsalted butter over the plain cookie crumb bowl, and mix well.

Step 5

Drop 5 to 6 drops of the red food coloring gel into the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and stir to mix the coloring. Pour the tinted melted butter over the gelatin crumb mixture. Stir very well to ensure the color is evenly distributed.

Step 6

Evenly sprinkle the vanilla and strawberry bowls of buttered cookie crumbs onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow the crumbs to completely cool, while you prepare the cakes.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray two 9 inch round cake pans with bakers spray (Baker's Joy). Set them aside.

Step 8

Using a stand mixer, or an electric handheld mixer and a medium-size mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, melted unsalted butter, milk, and strawberry gelatin mix. Mix all ingredients together, on medium speed, until well incorporated and smooth.

Step 9

Evenly divide the cake batter between the 2 prepared round cake pans. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. (Be sure to leave the oven on to bake the cheesecake)

Step 10

Allow the cake to completely cool on a cooling rack. Once cooled, remove the cakes from the pans, and set them aside.

Step 11

Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.

Step 12

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and the cornstarch. Set this aside.

Step 13

Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper, and generously spray the springform pan with nonstick spray. Set it aside.

Step 14

Using a stand mixer, or an electric handheld mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the cream cheese, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.

Step 15

Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the eggs one at a time, until all eggs are well incorporated.

Step 16

Leaving the mixer on low, slowly add the granulated sugar and the cornstarch. Increase the speed to medium and mix until the batter is smooth.

Step 17

Pour the cheesecake batter into the springform pan.

Step 18

Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes. Leaving the oven door closed, turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 20 additional minutes.

Step 19

Remove the cheesecake and allow it to cool on a cooling rack for 30 minutes.

Step 20

Tightly cover the cheesecake, and place in the freezer for 1 hour.

Step 21

Using either a stand mixer, or a handheld mixer and a medium-size mixing bowl, on medium-high speed cream together the cream cheese, heavy cream, and unsalted butter for 1 ½ to 2 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula.

Step 22

Lower the mixer to low, and slowly add the vanilla.

Step 23

Keeping the mixer speed low, slowly add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Increase the speed to medium, and mix until smooth.

Step 24

Using your choice of serving plate, center 1 of the strawberry cake layers.

Step 25

Scoop out ¼ cup of frosting and place in the center of the bottom cake layer. Using either an offset spatula, or a silicone spatula, evenly smooth out the frosting. (Don’t worry if there are crumbs in the frosting)

Step 26

Remove the cheesecake from the freezer. Carefully run a sharp, flexible knife along the inside edge of the cheesecake. Slowly release the springform sides. Line a flat plate with wax paper, and place it on top of the cheesecake. Securely turn the cheesecake upside down to remove the base of the springform pan and the parchment paper. Carefully turn the cheesecake right side up and place it on top of the bottom layer of strawberry cake.

Step 27

Scoop out another ¼ cup of frosting to smooth over the cheesecake layer.

Step 28

Place the top strawberry cake layer on top of the cheesecake layer.

Step 29

Evenly spread the remaining frosting over the rest of the cake. (Again, do not worry if there are crumbs, the cookie crumb coating will hide the crumbs in the frosting)

Step 30

Break the cooled cookie crumbs up into small pieces.

Step 31

Sprinkle the top of the cake with cookie crumbs. Using your hands, gently press/pat the cookie crumbs on the sides of the cake.