Looking for a decadent, sweet treat that will have your guests coming back for more? Look no further than this Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake. This indulgent dessert combines creamy cheesecake, sweet-tart strawberries, and a crunchy graham cracker topping, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a personal indulgence, this dessert is sure to impress.
Read on for everything you need to know about making the Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake. From the ingredients to the step-by-step process, we’re here to guide you through creating this delightful masterpiece right in your own kitchen.
The Secret to a Perfect Cheesecake
Cheesecake is one of those classic desserts that can be modified to accommodate a wide range of preferences. Whether you are traditional, love the fruit, or want to jazz it up, there is a cheesecake for everyone. The secret to a great cheesecake is getting the right contrast between the soothing creaminess of the filing and the biscuity crunch of the base, as well as making it taste like something.
For the Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake it’s all about fresh strawberries, a crunchy topping, an folksy creamy cheesecake. This combination results in a complex layered dessert that works on all levels.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating a Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake doesn’t require a long list of ingredients, but it does require quality items for the best results. Below is a list of ingredients you’ll need for both the crust and filling:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup of sugar
- ⅓ cup of melted butter
- A pinch of salt
To Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 packs (8 oz each) of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
For the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- 1 ½ cups of fresh strawberries, finely chopped
- 1 cup of crushed graham crackers
- ½ cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of butter, melted
Instructions
Preparing the Crust
Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake features crust as one of the heroes of the cake. It has a crispy texture to contrast with the cream filling, and a mixture of flavors. Start by combining the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and salt in a medium bowl. The melted butter is going to help the ingredients hold together and create that firm, structural crust.
When everything is well incorporated, press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan. Check it if it is smooth and complies. Bake crust in 350°F (175°C) oven for approximately 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool. The crust has got to be sturdy, golden and solid enough to hold the luscious cheesecake filling.
Making the Filling for the Cheesecake
Then it’s time for the cream filling of your Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake. Let’s begin by beating the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl until creamy. Add the sugar and beat well mixed. You really want to make sure there are no lumps in the cream cheese mixture.
Once sugar is mixed in, add eggs one at a time, combining well after each addition. Your eggs help bind up the cheesecake, so be sure to mix well here.
Add the vanilla extract and lemon juice, it may seem like very little however the lemon really does a lot to help boost the cheesecake. Last, but not least, the sour cream and blend it till creamy. Sour cream will give it a slightly sour taste to level out the richness of the cream cheese.
Top the cool crust with the cheesecake filling, using a rubber spatula to smooth it over the top. Tap the pan once or twice on the counter to release air bubbles. Then, bake at 325 degrees for approximately 1 hour. The cheesecake should be firm around the edges but still a bit wobbly in the center. Cool completely in the pan, then chill in the refrigerator until firm, at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
Preparing the Strawberry Crunch Topping
The crunch topping is the icing on the cake if you will, to this Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake. For that, mix together chopped fresh strawberries, crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl. The crushed graham crackers add the signature crunch, and the butter holds everything together.
After the topping is made, pour it over the chilled cheesecake evenly. And the sweet, plump strawberries and crunchy graham crackers are the perfect contrast to the rich, creamy cheesecake filling. The best part? The topping gives a lovely contrast in textures, every mouthful will be a joy to eat.
Tips for a Successful Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
For best results every time, I have gathered some expert tips that will help you get the perfect texture, flavor, and look of your Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake!
All Ingredients at Room Temperature
A little trick to making smooth cheesecake filling with no lumps is using room temperature ingredients. Be sure your cream cheese, sour cream and eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This helps it to blend in better and it gets more creamy without lumps and it turns into a smooth consistency.
Do Not Overmix the Batter
Take care not to overmix when preparing the cheesecake filling. Would you please be able to tell me what I am doing wrong, is it over mixing and the mixture sinking or too much air causing a crack. Stir in the batter until nice and smooth and combined. This ensures a creamy, dense final texture that will not crack as it firms.
Bake More Evenly With a Water Bath
Bake in a water bath To prevent cracks and to guarantee a good texture, cook the cheesecake in a water bath (which is also known as a bain-marie). Cover the outside of the springform pan with aluminum foil to keep water from seeping in, and set the pan in a larger roasting pan. Pour hot water into the roasting pan, to about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. This is the way to go for mild, consistent heat for a glass-like, crack-free finish.
Chill Properly
After baking, let it cool at room temperature. After it cools down, it can then be refrigerated for up to 4 hours, but I prefer to let it sit overnight. Chilling the cheesecake so it solidifies and becomes firm makes it easier to slice and serve. The longer it sits, the more the flavors marry — and the better it tastes as a whole.
Fresh, Quality Strawberries Are Key
You’ll need fresh strawberries to make a topping with both color and flavor. Choose ripe, sweet strawberries to boost the flavor of your Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake! Steer clear of frozen strawberries, which can sweat out too much liquid and change the texture of your topping.
Variations to Try
The Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake is a GEM on its own, but if you would like to switch things up a bit, here are several variations to add to the experimentation.
Mixed Berry Crunch Cheesecake
Instead of strawberries alone, mix up the topping with different types of berries. A combination of raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries will provide you with a colorful and tasty topping that will bring even more dimension to your dessert.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cheesecake
For a chocolatey surprise, drizzle some melted chocolate on top of the cheesecake before piling on the strawberry crunch topping. The rich, dark chocolate will be a nice contrast to the strawberries.
Lemon Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
Whisk lemon zest into the cheesecake filling for even more zesty flavor. The tangy citrus will counterbalance the sweetness of the strawberries, making it an oh so refreshing!
Why The Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Is The Best Cake For All Occasions
The Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake makes the most delicious and easy Summer dessert for a crowd! Whether you can calling in for a birthday, dinner party or just as a treat on a Sunday afternoon, you can’t go wrong with this cheesecake. The balance of flavors and textures and the good looks make it a crowd-pleaser.
The strawberries and graham cracker create a new layer of texture and flavor that pushes the cheesecake from being a basic dessert. It’s an experience that’s every bit as much defined by texture as it is by flavor.
Serving Suggestions
The Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake is a beautiful dessert as it is, but here are a few serving ideas to make it even prettier! Here are some suggestions to elevate your cheesecake serving game even more:
Whipped Cream Topping
Bring along a light, fluffy whipped cream as contrast to the dense creaminess of the cheesecake. Once your Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake is sliced, add a dollop of homemade whipped cream to the side or right on top! To take it up a notch, pipe the whipped cream into decorative swirls or rosettes underneath the edges of each slice.
Fresh Strawberry Garnish
Because the Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake already has fresh strawberries in its topping, why not add some whole, sliced strawberries for garnish, too? Place a couple more fresh strawberries or strawberry halves around the edge of the cheesecake. See, it adds a pop of color and intensifies the strawberry flavor, which is let’s be honest the point!
Berry Syrup Drizzle
For an extra hit of fruity sweetness, spoon homemade or store-bought berry syrup over the top of individual slices of cheesecake. Not only will such a strawberry or mixed berry sauce-type syrup amplify the strawberry experience, but you’ll also get a stark dark/light contrast to your pretty cheesecake with some oozing to the sides to give it a little character. You can also substitute raspberry coulis or blueberry sauce for a different flavor.
Mint Leaves
If you wish to have a more refreshing taste, you may also add a few fresh mint leaves around the cheesecake slices. The color of the mint is a pretty, bright green, and it makes the cheesecake look even more lively and inviting.
Serve with a cup of coffee or tea
All that’s left is to enjoy your Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The light, rich flavors of cheesecake are perfect with a warm beverage, so you can serve this up at your next dinner party, or with afternoon tea.
Conclusion
Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake is not only a food concoction that is visually stunning but it is hands down one of the best tasting dessert! Delicious creamy, crunchy, fruity food in every bite! New to baking or a pro, this cheesecake is simple and fabulous.
So why wait? If you’re ready for the best holiday dessert recipe to serve your friends and family, get all your ingredients out and let’s make this Berrylicious Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake right now! Your taste buds will be appreciative!