Decadent Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 ½ cups graham‑cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Red Velvet Cake Layer

• ½ cup all‑purpose flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon red food coloring
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

Cheesecake Filling

• 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Strawberry Swirl

• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

Preparing the Cheesecake Filling

1. Blend the Cream Cheese. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed until silky, about 2 minutes. This step eliminates lumps that could cause cracks later.
2. Incorporate Yogurt & Sweetener. Add Greek yogurt, honey, and salt. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth and glossy, about 1 minute.
3. Egg Integration. Add the eggs one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Over‑mixing can incorporate too much air, which may cause the cheesecake to rise and crack.
4. Flavor Finish. Stir in vanilla extract for a fragrant finish. The batter should be thick yet pourable.