Name: Strawberry Cheesecake
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 20 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 32 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 1 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; 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, about 2 sleeves; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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

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.

If it’s too hot to make a baked cheesecake, give this no bake strawberry cheesecake a try! It’s just as delightful.

cheesecake topped with strawberry sauce on 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.

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.

Fresh strawberry topping for cheesecake in a saucepan.

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.

More strawberry recipes

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Strawberry Cheesecake

Yield: 20 servings

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Resting Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

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

Ingredients

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 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

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.
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

Reduce the oven temperature to 300ºF.
In a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
Add the sugar and sour cream, beat until well combined. Add the vanilla and salt, beat on low speed until smooth.
Using a silicone spatula, gently stir in the eggs just until combined. Pour the batter over the prepared crust.
Fill a roasting pan with a few inches of boiling water and place the cheesecake in the center.
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.
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

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.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, and chopped strawberries. Set aside to cool for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Spread the topping evenly over the cheesecake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Remove the sides of the pan just before serving.

Make ahead tip

The cheesecake will keep for up to 4 days covered and stored in the refrigerator.
The cheesecake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Notes

Oven temps can vary which means your cheesecake may need more time to bake. You'll know it is done cooking when the outer edges of the cheesecake feel firm to the touch while the center looks wet and jiggles when shaken. If the cheesecake doesn't look this way after an hour of cooking, let it cook until it does. Then you can turn the oven off and let the cheesecake rest for another hour in the oven.

Strawberry Cheesecake

Strawberry cheesecake

How do you make a cheesecake base?

Main ingredients for strawberry cheesecake