Strawberry Cheesecake
Strawberry Cheesecake is a classic, creamy dessert featuring a smooth cream cheese filling infused with fresh strawberries on a buttery graham cracker crust. This recipe is perfect for special occasions or anytime you crave a rich yet refreshing treat. Enjoy a velvety texture balanced by the vibrant, natural sweetness of strawberries and a visually stunning presentation that’s easy to customize.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free crust option)
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 24 oz (680g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh strawberry slices
- Strawberry glaze or sauce
- Whipped cream
- Prepare the Crust: Crush graham crackers until fine, then mix with melted butter and sugar. Press firmly into the bottom of a springform pan to create an even, compact base.
- Mix the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined. Then fold in sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice for a rich, balanced filling.
- Incorporate Strawberries: Gently fold chopped fresh strawberries into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution without breaking down the texture.
- Bake and Cool: Pour the filling over the crust and bake at 325°F (160°C) until edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly, approximately 50-60 minutes. Remove from oven, cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the chilled cheesecake with fresh strawberry slices, strawberry glaze, or whipped cream for a bright, fresh finish before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent cracks during baking.
- Bake the cheesecake in a water bath to maintain gentle heat and reduce cracking.
- Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
- Always use fresh, ripe strawberries for optimum taste and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cheesecake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: strawberry cheesecake, creamy cheesecake, fresh strawberries dessert, no crack cheesecake, classic cheesecake