Melt the butter in a sauce pan or in the microwave and let it cool down.

Crash the cookies using rolling pin and a sealable plastic bag or a food processor.

Mix well the crushed cookies with the melted butter and spread the mixture in a leak-proof springform pan. Leave on the side just a little bit of the melted butter which we will need for brushing the sides of the form later.

When spreading the cookie mix evenly, press gently with a spoon or spatula. I prefer using a baking sheet in the springform. It helps me remove the cake more easily out of the form later on. Just cut a circle using the springform pan. The oven should be preheated to 175 °C for conventional ovens and to 150°C for the fan. Bake the bottom layer for 10 min and let it cool down.

With a hand-mixer mix the eggs with the sugar. Add also the vanilla sugar. Mix until it gets foamy.

Add the cream cheese, the heavy cream and the lemon/lime zest if you have decided to add some. ( I know many dessert lovers who do not like lemon zest that is why it should be up to you if you wish to add some.)

Pour the cheese layer mixture in the springform and spread evenly.

If you are not sure about the springform you have if it is really leaking free you can use a sheet of aluminum foil and wrap the springform to avoid water going through.Use a large roasting pan to fill up with hot water and put the springform in it. Bake in a preheated oven for 1h and 15 min. After 45 min. Baking time cover the cheesecake with a baking sheet so it does not get burned or the edge of the cheese layer gets too dry.

After turning off the heat open the oven, if possible just 5-6 cm., and let the cheesecake completely cool down in the oven. Otherwise, it might break in the middle due to sudden change of the temperature.

After cooling down put the cheese cake in the fridge for at least 5 hours. You can wrap the form in clear wrap in order to protect the cake of catching some other aroma out of your fridge.

Wash and dry the strawberries and cut them in slices. Top up the cheesecake with strawberries.