Description
Indulgent strawberry crunch cheesecake blends creamy textures with sweet-tart berries and crisp graham cracker layers. Rich Philadelphia cream cheese and fresh strawberries create a dessert so irresistible you’ll savor each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (453 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Topping Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
- 1 cup vanilla wafers, crushed
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Craft a buttery foundation by thoroughly blending graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, ensuring complete moisture coverage. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a springform pan, creating a compact and even base. Chill the crust in the refrigerator to stabilize its structure.
- Whip cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, luminous consistency. Gently incorporate whipped heavy cream, folding delicately to maintain a light, airy texture. Distribute half of this luxurious cream cheese mixture evenly across the chilled crust.
- Delicately spread strawberry preserves across the cream cheese layer, ensuring uniform coverage. Layer the remaining cream cheese mixture on top, smoothing the surface with precision. Pulverize freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla wafer crumbs together, creating a vibrant, crisp topping.
- Artfully arrange fresh strawberries atop the cheesecake, choosing between elegant sliced presentations or rustic whole berries to complement the dessert’s visual appeal.
- Refrigerate the assembled cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing it to set completely and develop rich, harmonious flavors. Before serving, carefully release the springform pan’s sides to reveal the stunning dessert.
Notes
- Soft cream cheese matters most, so let room temperature cream cheese sit out 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure ultra-smooth consistency.
- Whip heavy cream separately until stiff peaks form for maximum airiness in the cheesecake filling, creating a lighter, more delicate texture.
- Freeze-dried strawberries provide intense flavor without adding extra moisture, preventing potential soggy crust issues and maintaining crisp crunch.
- Make a gluten-free version by substituting graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs, keeping the delightful nutty base intact.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg