Creamy Cheesecake with Vibrant Strawberry Topping

My strawberry cheesecake recipe makes a smooth, creamy vanilla cheesecake crowned with a fresh or frozen strawberry topping. It's 100% from scratch and made WITHOUT a water bath!

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 1 ½ cups (170 g) graham cracker crumbs
• 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 5 Tablespoons (74 g) unsalted butter, melted

For the Cheesecake

• 24 oz cream cheese, softened (use full-fat) (680g)
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten (room temperature preferred)

For the Topping

• 1 ½ lb fresh or frozen strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and quartered
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
• 1 ½ Tablespoon cornstarch (see note)
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoon water
• 1 Tablespoon butter (salted or unsalted)