Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake
Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake has a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich and creamy cheesecake filling, and a sweet strawberry topping bursting with fresh berry flavor; every bite is pure indulgence. It’s creamy, delicious, and loaded with flavor. Make this delicious berry cheesecake for a family gathering, baby shower, or just a scrumptious family dessert.
We love the texture and flavor of this sweet treat. The creamy center paired with the ripe, in-season strawberries has us thinking about another slice, even before we’re done with the first. The great thing about making a cheesecake from scratch is that it’s more than plenty to share with family and friends. Invite your loved ones over and fuel your bellies.
For more cheesecake recipes, be sure to check out our RumChata Cheesecake, Black Forest Cheesecake, and even this Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Smooth and creamy texture: Cheesecake can be light and creamy without feeling too heavy.
- Fresh strawberry flavor: Using in-season strawberries creates an amazingly natural sweetness.
- Stunning presentation: The bright red of the strawberries atop the creamy white creates a show-stopping dessert.
- Simple to make: Even novice bakers and cooks can make this easy cheesecake recipe.
Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
This simple cheesecake recipe uses a graham cracker crust that takes just minutes to make, along with a soft, creamy center everyone will love. The fresh lemon juice paired with the strawberry flavor creates the perfect balance, without overpowering or stealing the show. The overload of fresh strawberries on top creates a stunning focal piece, while giving each and every bite a pop of natural sweetness.
Variations
- Skip the crust: You can make this a crustless cheesecake to cut down on calories and work.
- Change the crust: Don’t want to use graham crackers? No problem. Crush up your favorite cookies and use those instead.
- Use different berries: This cheesecake recipe is versatile in the way that you can use blueberries, raspberries, or a combination of all your favorite types.
- Add toppings: Strawberries are a great topping, but you could also drizzle with chocolate for a fun twist.
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until it resembles wet sand.
Step 2: Press mixture into the bottom and sides of the pan. Set aside.
Step 3: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth, scraping the bowl often.
Step 4: Add eggs and mix well. Mix in lemon juice, vanilla, and sour cream until combined.
Step 5: Add flour and mix. Stir in the strawberry jam until smooth.
Step 6: Pour filling into the crust and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes.
Step 7: Spread topping over cheesecake. Chill until ready to serve.
Expert Tips
- Be sure that you don’t overcook the cheesecake. Pay close attention to the cooking time.
- When adding the crust mixture to the pan, press it down so it forms a cohesive crust while baking.
- If you don’t have sour cream to add, plain Greek yogurt works perfectly well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
The temperature of the ingredients matters! Using room temperature ingredients is a great way to create an Instagram-worthy cheesecake that doesn’t crack or deflate.
This cheesecake recipe is already sweet from the added strawberries, but you could always add more sweet fruit or a drizzle of chocolate on top.
It does a great job of cutting through the cheesecake’s sweetness while also adding a tangy note.
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Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 2 sleeves graham crackers crushed
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
For the cheesecake filling:
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cups sour cream
- 3 Tbsp flour
- ½ cup strawberry jam or preserves
For the topping:
- ½ cup strawberry jam or preserves
- 1 cup strawberries diced
- 1 cup strawberries halved
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Add parchment paper to a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
- Add the graham crackers and melted butter into a bowl. Stir until it looks like wet sand.
- Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan and up the sides.
- Add the softened cream cheese and sugar to a mixing bowl. Mix until combined with no chunks.
- Add the eggs and mix well. Don't forget to scrape down the sides.
- Add the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and sour cream. Mix to combine.
- Add the flour and mix.
- Add the jam and mix well.
- Pour the filling on top of the crust and smooth the top.
- Put the pan in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the cheesecake edges are set and the middle is only slightly jiggly.
- Once the time is done, remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Put the pan in the fridge for about 3-4 hours to chill.
- To make the topping, add the diced strawberries and jam to a saucepan and heat over medium low. Stir frequently for about 10 minutes. It should start to thicken and the strawberries should break down.
- Add the halved strawberries and heat for 2-3 minutes. You don't want these broken down. Let the mixture then cool in the fridge until it's time to add it to the cheesecake.
- When it's time to assemble, pour the strawberry mixture over the top of the cheesecake and spread. Chill until serving time.
Notes
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
