Strawberry Cheesecake

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This Strawberry Cheesecake features a creamy cheesecake on a graham cracker crust topped with fresh strawberry sauce. 

A slice of Strawberry Cheesecake on a white plate.

Strawberry cheesecake

It’s no secret that I love a silky smooth cheesecake. I’ve made several of them over the last two years. My most popular one being a luscious Nutella cheesecake and followed by that is my favorite triple chocolate cheesecake.

But today we’re celebrating my supremely creamy cheesecake and I’ve topped it off with a homemade fresh strawberry topping.

You guys, this is one swoon-worthy dessert. I sent one to my husband’s new boss and got rave reviews.

There’s really nothing fancy with today’s recipe. It’s simple, light, and fresh. You’ll probably be able to enjoy more than one slice without feeling bogged down and heavy.

And with strawberries coming into season soon, I can think of no better way to highlight this bright red, juicy fruit.


Side view of a whole Strawberry Cheesecake on a white plate.

How do you make a cheesecake base?

The base for this strawberry cheesecake is made with graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix all this together until the mixture resembles wet sand.

Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a springform pan. Bake it in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes then let it cool completely.

Main ingredients for strawberry cheesecake

Cream cheese – choose a high quality, full-fat cream cheese for the best results.

Sugar – regular granulated sugar works best for baked cheesecakes.

Sour Cream – the secret ingredient to light and creamy cheesecakes.

Strawberries – pick ripe strawberries to use for the sauce. They’ll taste much better if they are in season!

How to make strawberry cheesecake?

Step 1: Make the graham cracker crust

Combine cream cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the crumb mixture in the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

graham crackers in food processor

graham cracker crumbs

graham cracker crust

Step 2: Make the creamy cheesecake filling

Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in the sugar, sour cream, salt, and vanilla until well combined. Gently stir in lightly beaten eggs until well combined.

Pour the filling over the prepared crust and set inside a water bath. Bake in a 300°F oven for 1 hour then turn the oven off and let the cheesecake sit in the oven for another hour with the door closed.

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and set it on a wire rack to cool completely.

Filling for Strawberry Cheesecake being poured over a graham cracker crust.

Step 3: Make the strawberry topping

Puree fresh strawberries with cornstarch. Add puree and sugar to a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened. This may take anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes.

Once thickened, stir in chopped strawberries and set aside to cool. Top the cheesecake with the strawberry sauce and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but overnight is best.

Diced Strawberries

Fresh Strawberry Puree

Fresh strawberry topping for cheesecake in a saucepan.

Angled view of a slice of strawberry cheesecake on a white plate.

Tips for this strawberry cheesecake recipe

  • Read my post on how to make the best cheesecake recipe for full details on how to achieve a creamy texture and zero cracks.
  • Plan ahead. Cheesecakes take time to prepare and must refrigerate for several hours once finished.

Helpful tools

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Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe Image
5 from 8 votes
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Strawberry Cheesecake

This Strawberry Cheesecake features a creamy cheesecake on a graham cracker crust topped with fresh strawberry sauce. 

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Resting Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Yields 20 servings
Calories 366 kcal
Author Jen Sobjack

Ingredients

US Cups - Metric

For the crust

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs about 2 sleeves
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

For the filling

  • 32 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 and 1/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs room temperature, lightly beaten

For the sauce

  • 16 ounces whole strawberries diced
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups finely chopped strawberries

Instructions

Make the crust

  1. Move the oven rack to the lower third position and heat the oven to 350°F. Wrap the outer bottom of a 9-inch springform pan tightly with aluminum foil. 
  2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and about 2-inches up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool while you make the filling.

Make the filling

  1. Reduce the oven temperature to 300ºF. 

  2. In a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. 

  3. Add the sugar and sour cream, beat until well combined. Add the vanilla and salt, beat on low speed until smooth. 

  4. Using a silicone spatula, gently stir in the eggs just until combined. Pour the batter over the prepared crust.

  5. Fill a roasting pan with a few inches of boiling water and place the cheesecake in the center. 

  6. Bake for 1 hour, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Turn the oven off, leave the cheesecake in the water bath in the oven for another hour. 

  7. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and place it on a wire rack. Run a small knife around the outer edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan and leave it to cool completely. 

Make the sauce

  1. Add the diced strawberries and cornstarch to the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to a medium saucepan and add the sugar.

  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 15 minutes.

  3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, and chopped strawberries. Set aside to cool for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. Spread the topping evenly over the cheesecake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

  5. Remove the sides of the pan just before serving.

Make ahead tip

  1. The cheesecake will keep for up to 4 days covered and stored in the refrigerator.

  2. The cheesecake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Strawberry Cheesecake
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 366 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 97mg 32%
Sodium 267mg 11%
Potassium 127mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 36g 12%
Sugars 30g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin A 16.7%
Vitamin C 10.4%
Calcium 7.2%
Iron 4.2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutritional values here on my recipes should be used as a general guide only. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the values shown are just an estimate.

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