NO-BAKE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

NO-BAKE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE 50 Nilla Wafer cookies finely crushed 5 tablespoons butter melted 1 lb strawberries stemmed 3 8 oz cream cheese softened 2/3 cup powdered sugar divided 2 cups white chocolate chips melted 1/2 tablespoon natural strawberry extract 1 1/2 cups cold heavy whippping cream red food coloring optional strawberries & whipped cream optional garnish To make the crust, stir together curshed cookies and melted butter. Press the cookie mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 10-inch spring form pan. Set aside. To prepare the strawberries, puree them in a blender. Add strawberries to a sauce pan over medium heat. Simmer until the strawberries have reduced to a very thick puree (about 1/2 cup total). Set aside. To make the cheesecake, add cream cheese and 1/3 cup powdered sugar to a bowl. Mix until creamy. Mix in melted chocolate chips, puree and strawberry extract. Set aside. In a bowl add heavy whipping cream and remaining powdered sugar. Mix until it is fluffy with firm peaks. Mix the heavy whipping cream mixture into the cream cheese mixture, until combined. Mix in red food coloring if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan and refridgerate for 3 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, release cake from spring form pan and decorate with whipped cream and strawberries, if desired.