This rich and creamy cheesecake is topped with a sweet strawberry sauce. Sink your teeth into this decadent and EASY recipe.
We’ve featured many cheesecakes on the blog such as Cookie Dough, Cannoli, pecan pie , and even Baileys. However, strawberry cheesecake is just a classic. Amazingly rich and fluffy cheesecake filling is nestled inside a graham cracker crust. Then it is topped off with strawberry sauce, and plenty of whipped cream. This recipe is decadent ,delicious and is always a crowd pleaser.
It is s incredibly easy too. You can make it even easier by using a pre-made graham cracker, and store-bought whipped cream. It is perfect when you want a decadent dessert. It also looks great on dessert tables for holidays like Memorial Day or the 4th of July. Also great when you get that gotta have it now cheesecake craving.
This recipe is going to become one of your favorites. I’m sure it would also make a cheesecake lover VERY happy on their birthday.
Ingredient Notes
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: I don’t have a food processor, so I crush my crumb crackers in a plastic baggie with a wooden rolling pin. You’ll need about 12 graham crackers to yield 2 cups of crumbs. You can also look for graham cracker crumbs in the baking aisle to make things even easier.
- Cream Cheese: Always use full fat cream cheese.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream leads to an ultra creamy cheesecake with just a hint of tang.
- Strawberry Pie Filling: The perfect topping is this syrupy sweet sauce. You can also use homemade if you prefer.
- Whipping Cream: Make sure you buy heavy whipping cream, and not just whipping cream. Heavy cream whips up better, and holds it shape for piping.
How To Make Strawberry Cheesecake
For the Crust
- Preheat oven and grease pan.
- Combine all ingredients and bake for 10 minutes.
For the Cheesecake
- Beat cream cheese. Stir in vanilla, salt, sugar, and sour cream.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Pour into prepared crust, and bake for 1 hour. Turn off oven and leave in oven for one more hour.
For the Strawberry Sauce
- Pour strawberry filling into a large sauce pan. Fold in fresh fruit and heat until thinned.
For the Whipped Cream
- Combine all ingredients and mix until stiff peaks form.
Putting It All Together
- Pipe stars around the edge of the cheesecake.
- Top with strawberry sauce. Add more whipped cream if desired.
How To Store
Always store the cheesecake in the fridge. Make sure it is wrapped well in plastic or stored in an airtight container. If the cheesecake is not wrapped, it could dry out.
Can You Freeze It?
You can certainly freeze this recipe. You can even freeze it in individual slices and then take it out of the freezer slice by slice when you are ready to eat it. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to freeze it wrapped tightly in plastic ,or in an airtight container.
How Long Will It Last?
When stored in the refrigerator and covered with plastic, it will last about a week. Do not leave the cheesecake at room temperature for more than two hours. You can also store it in the freezer and it will last about 3 months. When storing it in the freezer, I recommend wrapping the individual slices in wax paper and then wrapping it well with plastic.
Tips and Tricks
- Do not over mix: Over mixing the batter can lead to air bubbles that lead to cracks. Mix the batter until ingredients are just combined.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese is softened, and your eggs are room temperature as well. Ingredients will come together much better when everything is the same temp.
- Keep the oven closed: Don’t peek! Opening the oven is a sudden temperature change that can cause your cheesecake to crack or fall.
- Do not over bake: Cheesecake is done when it is puffed up, and the center is still slightly jiggly. The center will continue cooking even once we turn the oven off.
- Cut perfect slices every time by dipping your knife in very hot water between each slice.
More Easy Desserts
Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients
For The Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs About 12 Whole Graham Crackers
- ¼ Cup White Sugar
- 6 Tablespoons Butter melted
Cheesecake
- 4 8 Ounce Packages Cream Cheese Softened
- 1 ⅓ Cup White Sugar
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 4 Eggs
For the Strawberry Sauce
- 16 Ounce Container of Strawberries Hulled and Halved
- 16 Ounce Can Strawberry Pie Filling
Whipped cream
- 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
Instructions
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 inch spring form pan with baking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter.
- Press crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
For the Vanilla Cheesecake
- Turn over temperature down to 300 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until light and creamy.
- Stir in sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and salt until just combined.
- Stir in eggs one at a time.
- Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake for one hour. Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in the oven for another hour.
For the Strawberry Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, combine strawberry pie filling and fresh strawberries. Cook over low heat until the mixture thins slightly.
For the Whipped Cream
- In a large bowl, beat powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Pipe whipped cream around the edge of the cheesecake
Putting It All Together
- Pour the strawberry sauce into the center of the cheesecake. Top with more whipped cream if desired.
- Place into the fridge for 1 hour before slicing. Enjoy!
Perfect cheesecake! I’ll be making it over and over again.
How inviting is this strawberry cheesecake! Everyone will go crazy over it!
This is a really ahh-mazing dessert! Everyone at my house was impressed! Thanks for the recipe!
Such a fabulous dessert! My family would love it!
WOW! I would love a slice of this amazing cheesecake! YUM!