Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and place the rack in the lower third.
2. Line bottom of your 9 -inch springform pan with parchment paper, then place a double layer of extra-large aluminum foil under the pan and cover the bottom and sides of the pan, wrap it tightly around the sides to make sure no water gets in during baking in a water bath.
3. To make the crust stir together chocolate graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the springform pan and place it in the fridge to firm while you are making the filling.
4. Melt milk chocolate and set aside to cool slightly.
5. To make the filling beat softened cream cheese and vanilla until smooth and creamy.  Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy.
6. Beat in eggs one at a time running your mixer on low speed and just slowly combine ingredients until smooth. You don’t want to incorporate a lot of air into the batter or the cake will crack during the baking. Finally, pour in melted chocolate and mix just to combine.
7. Place springform pan into a roasting pan. Pour the batter into the springform pan and smooth the top. Pour boiling water in roasting pan halfway up the side of the springform pan make sure no water drip on the batter.
8. Place in the oven and bake 70-80 minutes (until the center has set). If it starts browning too much tent the top with aluminum foil.
9. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, dry the bottom of the pan, run a thin knife around the edges to loosen the cake and let it cool to room temperature. When the cake is cooled, run a thin knife around the cake and release the ring from the springform pan. Transfer the cake onto the serving plate.

Strawberry Topping:

1. Dissolve gelatin in cold water and set aside to bloom.
2. In a saucepan combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat about 10-12 minutes. Add dissolved gelatin and cook for 2-3 minutes until gelatin melted completely.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature (stirring occasionally), then spread over the cake. If the topping is still runny, place it in the fridge for 15 minutes, just be careful it has gelatin and it will set if it sits in the fridge too long.
4. Place the cake with topping in the fridge for 3-4 hours or overnight.
5. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.