Jelly Hearts Cheesecake

My dear friend suggested baking strawberry jelly cheesecake together because she wants to surprise her boyfriend with a special vdae gift, so sweet of her. This is a non-bake cheesecake, so it's really suitable for those without an oven. It's easy, fuss free and scores really well in the aesthetic department too! Just look at the heart shaped strawberries peeking out from under the bright jelly. Awwww... I'm sure her boyfriend will love the cake and her sweet gesture. Happy vdae everyone, in the mood for romance. :) recipe taken from cooking.storyofbing.com. 

(Makes about 12 individual 6.5cm rounds or two 18cm by 18cm trays) 

To make the crust

300g digestive biscuits

150g butter 

To make the cheese filling

500g cream cheese

135g caster sugar

1.25 cups/300ml boiling water 

1.5 tbsp gelatine

1 tsp vanilla extract

About 12 strawberries halved

To make the jelly

600g jello

I followed the instructions in the jello box

1. Line the trays with baking paper if using tray.

2. Crush the digestive biscuits using a rolling pin or use a processor.

3. Melt the butter and pour it over the crushed digestive. Stir to combine and the mixture should resemble a paste. 

4. Line the trays or the individual rounds with the digestive and leave to chill in fridge for about an hour.

5. Dissolve the gelatine powder in the boiling water and set aside.

6. Cream the cheese and sugar till smooth. Add the vanilla extract and beat to combine.

7. Add the dissolved gelatine a little at a time to the creamed cheese. The resulting mixture will be very liquid.

8. Divide the cheese mixture to the tray lined with chilled digestives. 

9. Leave the mixture in the fridge to set for about 3 hours. 

10. In the meantime, cut your strawberries in half and shape to a heart if desired. 

11. When the cheese is set, press a strawberry half gently into the middle of the mould or evenly spread across the trays.

12. Prepare the jello and make sure the jello is at room temperature before pouring over the set cheese.

13. Leave to set in fridge. It will take about 3 hours. 

They are so pretty and suitable to be given as Valentine gifts! 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)