Strawberry Cheesecake
Love strawberries? You can’t go wrong with classic Strawberry Cheesecake! This recipe is the perfect mix of creamy, tangy, and sweet and features a homemade graham cracker crust.
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Why You Will Love Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients Needed for This Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredient quantities are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Butter
- Cream cheese (room temperature)
- Sour cream (room temperature)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs (room temperature)
- Strawberries
- Strawberry glaze (this is often found in the produce section or baking section and is sometimes referred to as “strawberry pie glaze”; here’s an example)
Tips for Making Strawberry Cheesecake (Quick Overview)
The section below just outlines a few quick tips. The full process in detail is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
🍓 Make sure to pack your crust tightly. Use the bottom of a flat measuring cup or a glass to press the graham cracker mixture into the pan firmly. This ensures the crust is compact and holds together well when sliced.
🍓 Use room temperature ingredients. You’ll note that several of these ingredients say “room temperature.” This is important! Always use room temperature cream cheese, eggs, and other dairy ingredients. This ensures a smooth, lump-free batter.
🍓 Don’t overmix. Overmixing the batter can incorporate too much air, leading to cracks on the surface of your cheesecake.
🍓 You can add diced fresh strawberries to the batter. I didn’t add them for these photos, but you most definitely can for an extra pop of strawberry flavor.
🍓 I use a steam pan instead of a water bath. I just find it to be slightly easier and haven’t noticed a difference in the final results. But if you prefer a steam bath, go for it!
🍓 Chill overnight: Cheesecake tastes best when it’s had time to chill and set in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours, or ideally overnight.
🍓 Use a hot knife for clean slices. A knife dipped in hot water (and wiped clean) makes all the difference when cutting into a cheesecake.
How to Store Strawberry Cheesecake in the Refrigerator?
To store your strawberry cheesecake in the refrigerator, make sure it’s covered tightly with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing any fridge odors. Place it on a flat surface to avoid any shifting or smudging of the topping. Properly stored, your cheesecake can stay delicious for up to 4-5 days!
How to Store Strawberry Cheesecake in the Freezer?
To freeze your strawberry cheesecake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then add a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. You can also place it in a freezer-safe container to avoid freezer burn. Properly stored, your cheesecake can stay fresh and tasty in the freezer for up to 1-2 months!
When is the Best Time to Serve Cheesecake?
Serving cheesecake changes the game for any event you attend or host. It brings eye-popping appeal and creates an anticipation that today’s desserts aren’t typical. Cheesecake is the centerpiece for any holiday dessert menu including Thanksgiving desserts, Christmas desserts, Easter desserts, or as a spooky Halloween dessert.
During the summer months, you can serve a cheesecake as your centerpiece for any picnic food dessert, Memorial Day dessert, and 4th of July dessert.
More Cheesecake Recipes
- Impress your crowd with this no-bake strawberry cheesecake. Ideal for family gatherings, parties, or as an easy Christmas dessert or fun Halloween treat.
- Cherry no-bake cheesecake is a creamy and delicious way to make lots of foody friends! Everyone marvels at this dessert.
- For a citrusy cheesecake, try no-bake key lime cheesecake. Tangy, sweet, and refreshingly light, a hit with every audience!
- Want to wow your guests? Whip up this incredible pecan pie cheesecake! It’s so good, they’ll be talking about it long after dessert is over.
- For the holidays, you HAVE to try this pumpkin cheesecake as one of your Thanksgiving desserts. Packed with rich, spiced flavors, it’s guaranteed to leave your family jaw-dropped. Short on time? No worries! This easy no-bake pumpkin cheesecake is just as delicious and brings compliments rolling in!
More Dessert Recipes
Looking for even more delicious dessert recipes? Here are some that will always fulfill your needs!
- Banana pudding is the ultimate no-bake recipe that brings that main event feeling to the dessert table! Creamy and crazy-delicious, your family will devour this.
- No-bake peanut butter pie is great for almost all occasions because it is creamy and delicious! Whether it’s a summer picnic, Thanksgiving desserts, Christmas desserts, Easter, or as a Halloween party food option, this dessert is always beloved.
- No-bake cookies are simple, delicious, and great for every occasion. Your new go-to make-ahead cookie!
- Your holiday table will be an exciting place when this spiced apple crisp with oats is on it! Crunchy oat toppings and warm apple flavors make it an annual favorite.
- Rich and creamy chocolate pudding pie is simple yet virtually addictive once you take that first bite! It is homemade, decadent, and hard to forget.
- Creamy, fruity, and so enjoyable to eat, cheesecake fluff is a make-ahead dessert that everyone loves to consume! For a chocolate twist, check out the indulgent brownie cheesecake fluff.
- Bring Chocolate Heaven Dessert or Peanut Butter Heaven Dessert to your holiday party for a rich and delicious hit!
- These peanut butter chocolate balls are a fun bite-sized treat that gets devoured everywhere. So you know they are delicious!
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Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 24 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup diced strawberries (optional; see notes)
Crust Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (finely crushed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp melted butter
Topping Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberry glaze
- 2 cups sliced or chopped strawberries
Instructions
Crust Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar in a bowl. Then add melted butter and combine thoroughly.
- Spray the inside of a 9” springform cheesecake pan with non-stick cooking spray, then add the graham cracker mixture to the bottom and spread evenly.
- Wrap the sides of the pan (just up to the top edge) with a layer of heavy-duty foil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the crust from the oven and immediately fill an oven-safe roasting pan/pot with about 1.5” of hot water and place it into the oven on the bottom rack. You will leave this pan in the oven through the rest of the cheesecake process (this is a replacement for a water bath; see notes).
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 F.
Filling Instructions
- To a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Using a hand or stand mixer, mix on low and combine thoroughly. (Be careful not to overmix – it needs to remain dense for proper baking and final texture.)
- Scrape down the sides, then add lemon juice, vanilla extract, flour, and one egg. Mix on low to combine, scrape down the sides again, then add the second egg, mix, and scrape down the sides. Repeat the process with the final egg, then, if desired, fold in chopped strawberries.
- After the crust has cooled to room temperature, pour the cheesecake mixture into the springform pan and level it off with a spatula.
- Place the cheesecake onto the middle rack of the oven, directly above the pan with water, and bake at 325 F for 60 minutes.
- After 60 minutes, turn the oven off, prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon, and keep cheesecake in the oven for an additional 60 minutes.
- After 60 minutes, remove the cheesecake and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- After the cheesecake has cooled, refrigerate it for at least six hours (preferably overnight).
- At least 30 minutes before serving, follow the Topping Instructions to create the strawberry sauce.
- When ready to serve, use a hot knife to cleanly cut slices.
- Serve, topped with sauce. Enjoy!
Topping Instructions
- Mix together strawberry sauce and sliced or chopped strawberries.
Notes
- I didn’t add diced strawberries to the cheesecake pictured here, but I do sometimes. Do what appeals to you most.
- I go with a steam pan instead of a water bath. It’s just a bit easier in my opinion, and I haven’t seen any difference in the results. But if you like using a steam bath, feel free!
Nutrition Estimates (Per Serving)
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition Estimates are per serving and included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed.
