COUNTDOWN CHEESECAKE RECIPE!

   Tick-tock...tick-tock...guests will surely count down the minutes until they can dig into this creamy strawberry cheesecake, then ask for seconds.

8-10 Servings

Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min. + cooling

20 10 30

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 24 squares)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 
  FILLING:
• 2 cartons (8 ounces each) spreadable strawberry cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• Red decorating gel
• 1 fresh strawberry, halved

Directions

• In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes; cool.
• In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Gently spread a third of the filling over crust. Arrange strawberries on top. Spoon remaining filling over berries; smooth top. Refrigerate overnight.
• With decorating gel, pipe numerals and the minute and hour hands for a clock dial on the cheesecake. Place strawberry halves at the tips of the clock hands.
• Yield: 8-10 servings.