CRUST:

• 2 tablespoons butter, (divided and melted)
• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, (toasted and cooled)
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar

FILLING:

• Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese, (at room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, (at room temperature)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup canned sweetened cream of coconut ((such as Coco Lopez))
• 1/4 cup coconut rum ((such as Malibu))
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract

TOPPING:

• 1/4 cup seedless strawberry jam
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 pints strawberries, (stemmed and sliced)
• more flaked coconut, (for edging the side of the cheesecake (optional))

PREPARE THE CRUST:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 9-inch diameter springform pan with 2-inch sides with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Blend crumbs, coconut, sugar, and remaining butter in medium bowl. Press mixture over bottom of prepared pan. Bake crust until lightly browned at edges, about 10 minutes. Cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.

PREPARE THE FILLING:

1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese, butter, sugar and cornstarch until well blended. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Then beat in the cream of coconut, rum and coconut extract. Pour the batter over the baked crust. Lay out 2 layers of heavy duty foil; set the pan on top of the foil and lift it into a large roasting pan. Fold the sides up to create a "bowl" with the foil. Add enough water to the roasting pan to come 1 inch up the sides of the cake pan (making sure the pan is protected by the foil). Cover the whole roasting pan with foil.

2. Bake the cheesecake in the roasting pan for 1 hour. Remove the foil. Bake until the cheesecake is pale brown, puffed and just set in the center, about 40 minutes. Set your pan on your cool stove and cool in the water bath for 2 hours. Then remove from the water; gently remove sides of springform pan. Chill the cheesecake for 3 hours. This part may be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

PREPARE TOPPING (on the day of serving):

1. Simmer the jam and 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan. Brush the top of the cheesecake with warm jam. Overlap the berries atop the cheesecake, covering completely. Brush the remaining jam over the berries. If you want to edge the side of the cheesecake with coconut, you can do that too. Chill until ready to serve.