Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Dessert is a delightful treat that combines the rich, creamy texture of cheesecake with the refreshing sweetness of strawberries, all topped with a crunchy layer that adds an irresistible twist. This dessert not only tantalizes your taste buds but also brings a sense of nostalgia, as it often reminds us of summer picnics and family gatherings. The vibrant colors and layers make it a showstopper at any event, and I can assure you, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
People love this Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Dessert for its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The creamy cheesecake filling melts in your mouth, while the strawberry topping bursts with freshness, and the crunchy layer provides a satisfying contrast. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, making it a go-to recipe for both novice and experienced bakers alike. Join me as we dive into this delicious recipe that is sure to become a favorite in your household!
Ingredients:
- For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- For the cheesecake filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- For the strawberry crunch topping:
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- For the strawberry sauce (optional):
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Preparing the Crust
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is an important step to ensure that your cheesecake bakes evenly.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until the crumbs are well coated and the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Make sure to pack it tightly to create a solid base for your cheesecake.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden. Remove it from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
Preparing the Cheesecake Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Continue to beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to cracks in your cheesecake.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream and flour until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed until everything is well incorporated.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust in the springform pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Baking the Cheesecake
- Place the springform pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips. This will make cleanup easier later on.
- Bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. It will firm up as it cools.
- Once baked, turn off the oven and crack the oven door open. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for about 1 hour. This gradual cooling helps prevent cracks.
- After an hour, remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
Preparing the Strawberry Crunch Topping
- While the cheesecake is chilling, it’s time to prepare the strawberry crunch topping. Start by placing the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor. Pulse until they are finely crushed.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed freeze-dried strawberries, graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and powdered sugar. Mix until everything is well combined and crumbly.
- Set the strawberry crunch topping aside until you’re ready to assemble the dessert.
Making the Strawberry Sauce (Optional)
- If you’d like to add a fresh strawberry sauce
Conclusion:
In summary, this Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Dessert is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to impress their friends and family with a delightful treat. The combination of creamy cheesecake, fresh strawberries, and that irresistible crunchy topping creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave everyone coming back for seconds. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile! You can serve it in individual cups for a fun party treat, layer it in a trifle dish for a stunning centerpiece, or even swap out strawberries for other fruits like blueberries or raspberries to suit your taste. I encourage you to give this recipe a go and experience the joy of creating something so delicious and visually appealing. Don’t forget to share your experience with me! I’d love to hear how your Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Dessert turned out and any variations you tried. Whether you made it for a special occasion or just a sweet treat for yourself, your feedback is always welcome. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s make some magic happen in the kitchen! Happy baking! PrintStrawberry Crunch Cheesecake Dessert: A Delightful No-Bake Treat for Every Occasion
- Total Time: 330 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
Enjoy a luscious Strawberry Cheesecake featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, rich cream cheese filling, and a delightful strawberry crunch topping. This dessert is perfect for any celebration and is sure to impress your guests!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until the crumbs are well coated and resemble wet sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake the crust for about 10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream and flour until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed until well incorporated.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Place the springform pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
- Bake the cheesecake for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
- Turn off the oven and crack the door open. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for about 1 hour.
- Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- In a food processor, pulse the freeze-dried strawberries until finely crushed.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed strawberries, graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and powdered sugar. Mix until crumbly.
- Set aside until ready to assemble.
- In a saucepan, combine the fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the strawberries release their juices and the mixture thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let cool.
Notes
- For best results, refrigerate the cheesecake overnight.
- The strawberry sauce can be served warm or cold, depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes