Almond Filled Cheesecake

6 tablespoons butter, well chilled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (8.5 ounce) package chocolate wafer cookies
1 (12 ounce) can almond filling
24 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced and sweetened

Generously butter a 9-inch springform pan.

Finely crush chocolate cookies in food processor, using the pulse button. Cut in butter until mixture begins to gather together. Press crumbs into bottom of pan and up sides to 3/4 inch from top; make sure there are no cracks. Refrigerate crust for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Bake crust 10 minutes, cool.

Spread the crust with the almond filling.

In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until light. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition with electric mixer. Pour mixture carefully over almond layer, then bake about 65 minutes. Let cake cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate at least 5 hours.

Cut into slices, topping each serving with strawberries.

Yields12 servings.