Creamy Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
Creamy Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake is a luscious dessert that combines a velvety cream cheese filling with layers of fresh strawberries and a crunchy buttery crust topped with a crispy textured topping. It offers the perfect balance of creamy richness, fresh fruit brightness, and satisfying crunch, making it ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or any special treat.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free crackers)
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham crackers or digestive biscuits, crushed
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream, whipped
Fruit Layer
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
Crunchy Topping
- 1/2 cup crunchy topping (toasted almonds, crushed cookies, or cereal)
- Prepare the crust: Crush the graham crackers or digestive biscuits into fine crumbs. Mix the crumbs thoroughly with the melted butter until evenly coated. Press this mixture firmly into the base of a springform pan to create a compact and sturdy crust.
- Blend the creamy filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and free of lumps. Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture to achieve a light and silky texture.
- Layer the strawberries and filling: Arrange a layer of sliced fresh strawberries evenly over the crust. Pour half of the creamy filling over the strawberries. Add a second layer of sliced strawberries on top of the filling, followed by the remaining creamy filling to complete the layers.
- Add the crunch topping: Sprinkle the chosen crunchy topping generously over the top layer of creamy filling to provide an irresistible texture contrast.
- Chill to set: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight. This chilling allows the cheesecake to firm up, the flavors to meld, and ensures a creamy yet stable dessert.
Notes
- Always soften cream cheese and butter to room temperature to avoid lumps and ensure smooth blending.
- Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to keep the filling light and airy; do not overmix.
- Use ripe, fresh strawberries for the best natural sweetness and juiciness.
- Press the crust firmly to prevent crumbling and maintain integrity when slicing.
- Patience is key—allow the cheesecake to chill properly for optimal texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cheesecake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: cheesecake, strawberry dessert, no bake cheesecake, crunchy topping, creamy cheesecake, gluten free dessert