This cheesecake with strawberry topping is perfect. With a graham cracker crust, ultra-creamy filling, and a scrumptious fresh strawberry topping, it's a dessert to impress.
Ingredients 👩🍳
Crust
- 14 graham crackers
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling
- 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar
- 3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
Strawberry Topping
- 2 quarts fresh strawberries, stems removed and halved, divided
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup cold water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Break graham crackers into the bowl of a food processor. Add sugar and pulse until large crumbs form. Add butter and pulse just until combined and mixture resembles slightly wet sand.
- Lightly grease a 10-inch springform pan; press mixture lightly into the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of the pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until fragrant and slightly golden brown around the edges, about 8 minutes. Let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bring about 3 quarts of water to a boil.
- Place cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using a paddle attachment, whip cheese on medium speed just until smooth, to avoid incorporating too much air. Add sugar and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add in sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice and salt and blend until just combined. With the mixer on low speed, add eggs, one at a time, mixing until each egg is fully incorporated, then mix until just combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Pour mixture into the prepared crust. Wrap bottom and sides of pan well with heavy duty aluminum foil. Place the pan inside a large deep roasting pan and set pan in the oven. Carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan around the cheesecake without letting any water inside the foil wrap or the cheesecake.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the center is very slightly jiggly, about 50 minutes. Carefully remove pans from the oven and allow cheesecake to cool in the water bath for 15 to 20 minutes. After about 10 minutes, just when cheesecake starts to release itself from the sides, run a knife around the sides.
- Remove wrapped cheesecake from water bath and place on a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. Unwrap cheesecake and place in refrigerator until fully chilled and ready to serve, at least 4 hours.
- Place 1/2 of strawberries in a large saucepan and stir in sugar, lemon, vanilla, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium high and allow mixture to simmer until berries are softened.
- Using a potato masher, mash strawberries until slightly chunky; continue to simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in remaining strawberries, and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve cheesecake slices with strawberry topping.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 683 | |
| Total Fat | 45g | 58% |
| Saturated Fat | 25g | 127% |
| Cholesterol | 195mg | 65% |
| Sodium | 476mg | 21% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62g | 23% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 11% |
| Total Sugars | 52g | |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin C | 83mg | 92% |
| Calcium | 150mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 400mg | 9% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Tips and Variations
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream.
- For a lighter cheesecake, use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream. You can also reduce the amount of sugar used in both the crust and filling.
- To prevent cracking, bake the cheesecake in a water bath. This helps to create a more even cooking environment and prevent the cheesecake from drying out.
- For a fun twist, add a layer of fresh fruit or chocolate chips to the cheesecake before adding the strawberry topping.
- Make ahead of time: The cheesecake can be made up to 2 days in advance. Simply store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?
Absolutely! The cheesecake can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
What kind of cream cheese should I use?
Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for a richer flavor. If you prefer a lighter cheesecake, you can use low-fat cream cheese.
What can I substitute for the graham cracker crust?
You can use chocolate cookie crumbs, almond flour, or even a store-bought pie crust for a different flavor profile.
Can I freeze this cheesecake?
It's best to avoid freezing cheesecake. Freezing can affect the texture of the filling, making it crumbly.
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