Dessert Recipes : Strawberry Cream Tart

Ingredients :

Crust

36 cinnamon graham crackers, crushed
One quarter cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp. water

Combine all ingredients and press along the bottom and sides of a pie plate that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes, remove and allow to cool.

Filling

1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
One quarter cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
One quarter tsp. almond extract

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Spread along the cooled graham cracker crust.

Topping

6 cups fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
Two thirds cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
One quarter cup sliced almonds

Place 2 cups of the strawberries in a food processor along with the sugar and puree. Place mixture in a saucepan with the cornstarch and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for several minutes stirring constantly. Combine the remaining 4 cups of strawberries with lemon juice and toss. Arrange the strawberries tossed with lemon juice over top of the cream cheese mixture. Pour glaze over strawberries and sprinkle almonds along the edge. Chill for several hours before serving.

Tips : Use low fat cream cheese, graham crackers and your favorite sugar substitute.