If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming of the perfect dessert that marries creamy richness with a burst of fresh fruit, let me introduce you to Strawberry Cheesecake. This showstopper layers a buttery graham cracker crust beneath an ultra-smooth cheesecake and tops it all with glossy, jam-brushed strawberries. It’s a dessert that’s at home at birthday parties, brunches, or a quiet night in, and once you master it, you’ll never look back. Strawberry Cheesecake brings real joy to the table: every bite is lush, tangy, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for more.

Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of a great Strawberry Cheesecake is that it relies on just a handful of classic ingredients—each one chosen for its power to create luscious texture, delicate sweetness, or bold color. This recipe is refreshingly straightforward, but every component plays an essential part.

Graham cracker crumbs: These create the base layer, adding a toasty, buttery crunch that’s the perfect foil for the creamy filling.
Granulated sugar: Split between the crust and creamy center, it sweetens each layer without overpowering the strawberries.
Unsalted butter, melted: Binds the crust together and gives it a rich, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
Cream cheese, softened: This is what gives Strawberry Cheesecake its signature creaminess and tangy flavor, so pick a good-quality brand.
Sour cream: Adds lightness and a hint of tartness, ensuring your filling is plush and flavorful.
Eggs: Essential for structure. Bring them to room temperature so your batter is extra smooth.
Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors and aromas, turning the filling into something irresistible.
All-purpose flour: Just a touch helps thicken and stabilize the cheesecake.
Salt: A pinch brightens and balances the overall flavor.
Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced: Sweet, ripe strawberries are the jewel-like crown on top of your cheesecake.
Strawberry jam: Adds shine and enhances the fresh strawberry topping.
Water: Thins the jam into a luxurious glaze for a truly bakery-worthy finish.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C) and greasing a 9-inch springform pan. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of sugar, and melted butter in a bowl, mixing until you have a texture resembling wet sand. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your pan—use the bottom of a measuring cup for a smooth, firm layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly while you make the filling.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until velvety smooth. Gradually add 1 cup of sugar, and continue mixing until everything’s well blended. Now beat in the sour cream, flour, and salt, pausing to scrape down the bowl so every last bit gets mixed. Add the eggs one at a time on low speed, ensuring the batter stays creamy without overmixing. Stir in the vanilla extract to finish.

Step 3: Bake the Cheesecake

Pour the creamy batter over the cooled crust and smooth out the top with a spatula. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a gentle wobble. Once done, turn off the oven, crack the door open a smidge, and let the cheesecake cool inside for an hour—this helps prevent cracks and keeps the texture dreamy.

Step 4: Cool and Chill

After its oven rest, run a thin knife around the pan’s edge to loosen the cheesecake sides (this helps avoid cracking later). Let it cool completely at room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least four hours—overnight is even better, as the flavors deepen and meld beautifully.

Step 5: Make the Strawberry Topping

For that signature Strawberry Cheesecake finish, gently heat the strawberry jam and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth and glossy. Arrange sliced strawberries artfully on top of your fully chilled cheesecake, then brush generously with the warm jam glaze. Pop it back in the fridge for another 30 minutes to let everything set to perfection.

How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake

Garnishes

Freshly sliced strawberries arranged in concentric circles bring a vibrant, elegant look. You can also sprinkle a bit of finely grated lemon zest or a dusting of powdered sugar for a hint of tartness and extra visual pop. Mint leaves add a lovely touch of green and a refreshing fragrance, making your Strawberry Cheesecake look as delightful as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Keep any accompaniments light and bright to balance the richness: think a bowl of fresh mixed berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of lemon sorbet. A hot cup of coffee or a sparkling glass of Moscato pair beautifully, enhancing the cheesecake’s creamy-tangy profile.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, try serving individual Strawberry Cheesecake parfaits in clear glasses, layering crumbs, cheesecake filling, and strawberries for a playful presentation. Or use mini springform pans to make single servings—guaranteed to wow at dinner parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover leftover Strawberry Cheesecake tightly with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container. It keeps well for up to five days in the refrigerator, staying creamy and luscious for whenever that sweet craving strikes.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead, Strawberry Cheesecake can be frozen (without the fresh strawberry topping) for up to two months. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic and aluminum foil, or store the whole (unstyled) cake in a freezer-safe container. Add the berry topping after thawing for best results.

Reheating

Cheesecake is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If, by chance, you prefer it a touch warmer, let a slice sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving. Never microwave, as this can ruin the texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

While fresh strawberries offer the brightest flavor and most beautiful appearance, you can use frozen strawberries in the jam glaze or as a topping. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well beforehand to avoid a watery topping.

Why did my cheesecake crack?

Cracks are common if the cheesecake is overbaked, cooled too quickly, or if the pan wasn’t greased. To prevent them, follow the gradual cooling steps, avoid overmixing, and run a knife around the edge while it cools.

How can I add more strawberry flavor?

For an extra strawberry punch, swirl a little strawberry puree into the cheesecake batter before baking. You can also add diced strawberries on top of the crust before pouring in the filling.

Can I make Strawberry Cheesecake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust, and make sure your strawberry jam and vanilla extract are gluten-free as well. The filling is naturally gluten-free except for the small amount of flour, which you can substitute with cornstarch.

What’s the best way to cut cheesecake cleanly?

For perfect slices, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it dry between each cut. This keeps the edges neat and helps you serve Strawberry Cheesecake that looks just as good as it tastes.

Final Thoughts

Baking a Strawberry Cheesecake from scratch is one of those kitchen triumphs that always gets a chorus of delighted “oohs” and “aahs.” With its luxurious filling, buttery crust, and jewel-bright fruit, this dessert is pure comfort and celebration in every forkful. Treat yourself or share it with friends, but don’t wait too long—everybody will be coming back for seconds!

Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes (including chilling)
Yield: 12 slices 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Strawberry Cheesecake recipe that features a buttery graham cracker crust, a velvety cream cheese filling, and a fresh strawberry topping glazed with sweet jam.

Ingredients

Scale

Graham Cracker Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling:

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Strawberry Topping:

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup strawberry jam
1 tablespoon water

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Instructions

Prepare Crust: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into pan and bake for 10 minutes. Cool.
Make Filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, sour cream, flour, salt, eggs (one at a time), and vanilla. Pour over crust.
Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes until set. Cool in oven, then refrigerate.
Add Topping: Heat jam with water. Arrange strawberries on cheesecake and brush with jam glaze. Chill before serving.

Notes

Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
For a more intense strawberry taste, add a swirl of strawberry puree into the cheesecake batter before baking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American