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Whole strawberry cheesecake on a round platter with a small dish of extra strawberry sauce nearby.
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Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

Baked strawberry cheesecake with a graham cracker crust and homemade strawberry topping. Best made a day ahead since it needs to chill overnight before serving.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 10 minutes
Resting Time12 hours
Total Time13 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Yumna Jawad

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 12 full-sheet graham crackers
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted

Cheesecake Filling

  • 32 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 ounces full-fat sour cream room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs room temperature

Strawberry Topping

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Prepare a 9-inch spring form pan by placing it in a silicone pan protector or wrapping the outside with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  • Place the graham crackers, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until fine crumbs form. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand. Add the crust mixture to the springform pan and use a cup or flat-bottomed glass to press the crust into an even layer and about 1 inch up the sides.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown, remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Cheesecake Filling

  • To a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add cream cheese and sugar, beating on medium-low speed until smooth. Add sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt, and continue to mix on low speed until fully incorporated.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating between each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Mix until just combined.
  • Pour the cheesecake mixture into the prepared baked crust and smooth the top. Tap the pan on a flat surface to remove any air bubbles. Place the cheesecake in a large roasting pan and carefully pour the boiling water ½ the way up the springform pan.
  • Bake for 55-65 minutes or until the edges are set, and the center is slightly jiggly.
  • Turn the oven off and prop the door open slightly, allowing it to slowly cool down for about 1 hour. Then, remove the pan from the water and oven, remove the foil, and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled to room temperature, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
  • Gently run a knife around the edges of the pan and carefully release the ring of your springform pan. Run the knife between the crust and bottom pan and use a spatula to carefully lift the cheesecake to a serving plate. Cut into 12 equal slices and serve cold.

Strawberry Topping

  • Purée half of the strawberries in a blender until smooth. Then pour the purée into a saucepan and stir in the sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
  • Cook over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil, then boil for 1 minute, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool completely. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • Quarter the remaining strawberries, stir into the strawberry sauce, then chill until ready to use.
  • Spoon over cheesecake just before serving.

Notes

My Top Tip: Don't overbake the cheesecake. Aim for a slight jiggle in the center. It won't look fully firm in the oven. If the center is completely set when you take it out, it may end up dry or cracked after chilling.
Storage: Store the strawberry cheesecake covered in the fridge for 4–5 days. If possible, keep the strawberry topping separate and spoon it over slices right before serving so the crust stays firmer and the topping stays fresh. For the cleanest slices, keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.
Freezing: Chill the strawberry cheesecake completely, then wrap the whole cheesecake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil. It'll last in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. I recommend freezing it without the strawberry topping. Just make a fresh one when you're ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 774mg | Potassium: 365mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 492IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 1mg

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