Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

Strawberry cheesecake represents the perfect marriage of creamy, tangy filling and sweet, vibrant berries atop a buttery graham cracker crust. This classic dessert combines rich cream cheese with fresh strawberry topping to create an elegant finale to any meal. While the recipe requires patience for proper chilling, the hands-on preparation is straightforward and rewards you with bakery-quality results that’ll impress every guest.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 55 mins
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 25 mins
Servings: 12 slices
Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 whole crackers)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cheesecake Filling

• 32 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Strawberry Topping

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Prepare your pan and oven. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the outside bottom and sides of a 9-inch spring form pan tightly with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in during the water bath. Grease the inside with butter.
2. Make the graham cracker crust. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and salt. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).
3. Prepare the cream cheese base. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until completely smooth and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down bowl sides frequently to ensure no lumps remain.
4. Add sugar and eggs. Gradually add sugar, beating until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until incorporated. Avoid over mixing, which can introduce air bubbles.
5. Complete the filling. Beat in sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and salt until just combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy without lumps.
6. Pour and prepare for baking. Pour cheesecake filling over the crust, smoothing the top with an offset spatula. Place the spring form pan inside a large roasting pan and add hot water halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan.
7. Bake to perfection. Bake for 45-55 minutes until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken. The edges should be set and lightly golden. Turn off oven and crack the door open, allowing cheesecake to cool in oven for 1 hour.
8. Cool completely. Remove from water bath and run a thin knife around the edges to prevent cracking. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
9. Prepare strawberry topping. Reserve 1 cup of the most attractive strawberry slices for final decoration. In a large saucepan, combine remaining strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently, for 8-10 minutes until thickened and glossy. Cool completely before using.
10. Assemble and serve. Remove cheesecake from spring form pan and place on serving plate. Spread cooled strawberry mixture evenly over the top, then arrange reserved fresh strawberry slices decoratively. Serve chilled.

Tips for Success

Room temperature ingredients are crucial. Take cream cheese and eggs out 2-3 hours before baking. Cold ingredients won’t blend smoothly, leading to lumpy filling and potential cracking.

Prevent cracks with gentle handling. Don’t over beat the filling once eggs are added, and avoid opening the oven door during baking. The gradual cooling process in the turned-off oven helps prevent temperature shock.

Perfect water bath technique. Use hot tap water for the water bath, and place a kitchen towel in the bottom of the roasting pan to prevent the spring form pan from sliding around.

Test for doneness properly. The center should still have a slight jiggle – it will continue firming as it cools. Over baked cheesecake becomes dense and prone to cracking.

Recipe Variations

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake: Skip the baking step and add 1 envelope unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water to the filling. Chill for 6 hours until set.

Chocolate Strawberry Version: Add 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate to the filling and use chocolate cookie crumbs instead of graham crackers for the crust.

Individual Cheesecakes: Divide mixture among 12 muffin cups lined with paper liners. Reduce baking time to 18-22 minutes and cool completely before adding topping.

Mixed Berry Topping: Replace half the strawberries with blueberries and raspberries for a more complex berry flavor profile.

Storage Instructions

Store strawberry cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, add fresh strawberry topping no more than 4 hours before serving to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.

To freeze, wrap the plain cheesecake (without topping) tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before adding fresh strawberry topping and serving.

Cut clean slices by dipping your knife in warm water and wiping clean between each cut.

Nutritional Highlights

Each slice of strawberry cheesecake provides approximately 385 calories with 8 grams of protein from the cream cheese and eggs. Fresh strawberries contribute vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants while adding natural sweetness that complements the rich filling.

Serving and Presentation Ideas

Strawberry cheesecake shines as the centerpiece dessert for spring and summer gatherings, Mother’s Day celebrations, or romantic dinners. Garnish individual slices with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for restaurant-quality presentation.

For special occasions, create an elegant berry cascade by arranging strawberries in overlapping circles from the center outward. Add fresh whipped cream rosettes around the edge for professional bakery appeal.

This classic dessert pairs beautifully with champagne, dessert wine, or coffee. The rich, creamy texture and bright berry flavors make it an ideal ending to heavy meals, as the acidity from the strawberries and cream cheese helps cleanse the palate.

Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone or simply want to treat family to something extraordinary, strawberry cheesecake delivers timeless elegance with every creamy, berry-topped bite.