Ingredients

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 8-ounce containers mascarpone cheese,* room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 4 cups 1/2-inch pieces fresh rhubarb (from about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 8 strawberries, hulled, halved
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 12 large strawberries

Method

  • Preheat oven to 325F.
  • Spray 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with nonstick spray.
  • Mix crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon in medium bowl.
  • Add butter and stir to blend.
  • Press mixture evenly onto bottom (not sides) of pan.
  • Bake until crust is set, about 10 minutes.
  • Cool completely.
  • Maintain oven temperature.
  • Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth.
  • Add mascarpone and beat until smooth.
  • Mix in flour.
  • Beat in eggs 1 at a time.
  • Mix in vanilla, lemon juice, lemon peel, and salt.
  • Pour filling into pan.
  • Bake cheesecake until puffed around edges and center moves slightly when pan is gently shaken (center may fall and crack), about 1 hour.
  • Turn oven off; leave cake in oven with door closed 1 hour.
  • Transfer cake to rack and cool completely.
  • Stir sour cream until smooth; spread atop cake.
  • Refrigerate cake overnight.
  • Combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, 2/3 cup water, and lemon juice in large saucepan.
  • Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  • Reduce heat and simmer until rhubarb is tender, about 9 minutes.
  • Remove from heat; let cool 10 minutes.
  • Pour mixture through strainer set over 4-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract 1 1/2 cups liquid.
  • Return 1 1/2 cups liquid to same saucepan; bring to simmer over medium heat.
  • Whisk cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water to blend in small bowl; add to liquid in saucepan; whisk constantly until mixture boils and thickens, about 6 minutes.
  • Pour glaze into small bowl; chill until cold, about 2 hours.
  • Spread glaze over cheesecake.
  • Refrigerate cheesecake for at least 4 hours and up to 1 day.
  • Line small baking sheet with waxed paper.
  • Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until smooth.
  • Remove chocolate from over water.
  • Dip strawberries halfway into melted chocolate.
  • Gently shake off excess chocolate; place on prepared sheet.
  • Chill until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes and up to 6 hours.
  • Place strawberries around top edge of cake.
  • Serve.
  • Italian cream cheese available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.