No-Bake Strawberry Cheescake

Perfectly light, fluffy and refreshing, no-bake strawberry cheesecake is the ideal dessert for a hot summer since it doesn’t require turning on the oven. Instead, this cheesecake relies on cream cheese and heavy whipping cream for structure, along with a buttery graham cracker crust. The filling is made with fresh strawberries and has the ideal level of sweetness. All in all, this delicious dessert is easily one of our favorite easy no-bake summer desserts.

Ingredients for No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

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• Graham cracker crust: Graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter combine to create a graham cracker crust for this no-bake strawberry cheesecake recipe. Graham crackers have a slightly sweet, buttery flavor that pairs well with the strawberry filling.
• Fresh strawberries: Use the freshest strawberries possible for this recipe. The berries should be bright red with no spots.
• Cornstarch: The strawberries are cooked with cornstarch to create a thick berry filling.
• Cream cheese: Make sure to soften the cream cheese so it blends easily with the other ingredients.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar adds sweetness to the filling without adding a grainy texture.
• Lemon juice: Make sure to use fresh lemon juice, not the artificial kind. Fresh citrus juice adds a welcome brightness.
• Vanilla extract: The smooth taste of vanilla extract enhances all the flavors in this cheesecake.
• Heavy whipping cream: We don’t recommend making any substitutions here. Heavy cream and whipping cream contain more fat than other dairy products, creating a rich, creamy filling for no-bake cheesecake.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the strawberries

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In a small saucepan, cook the berries and cornstarch over medium heat. Simmer until thickened and reduced, five to seven minutes. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the crust

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In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Stir in the melted butter until combined. Firmly press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, covering the bottom in an even layer and 1/2 inch up the sides. Set aside.

Step 3: Blend the cream cheese and strawberry mixture

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Place the cream cheese in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the reserved strawberry mixture, confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and vanilla and pulse until incorporated.

Step 4: Make the cheesecake filling

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In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream using an electric hand mixer set on high speed until stiff peaks form, one to two minutes. Gently fold the strawberry mixture into whipped cream until just combined.

Step 5: Chill the no-bake cheesecake

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Transfer the cheesecake filling to the springform pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Refrigerate for six hours or overnight. Slice and serve with strawberries on top, if desired.

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No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Variations

• Use a different crust: For a chocolate-strawberry combo, try making this cheesecake with an Oreo pie crust. You can also use other crumb crust ingredients like vanilla wafers, nuts or pretzels.
• Add your favorite topping: Feel free to get creative with the cheesecake toppings. While our recipe calls for sliced strawberries, other toppings to consider could be other berries, jam or melted chocolate.

How to Store No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

To prevent the cheesecake from drying out, wrap it tightly in storage wrap or transfer it to a sealed large container. Cheesecake should always be refrigerated since it contains dairy. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you make no-bake strawberry cheesecake ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this cheesecake up to four days in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. Just avoid freezing it, as this could negatively impact the texture.

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Tips

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Do you need a food processor for this no-bake strawberry cheesecake recipe?

Using a food processor is certainly the easiest option, but you could also use a hand mixer or stand mixer to make this cheesecake.

Can you use a store-bought graham cracker crust to make no-bake strawberry cheesecake?

Yes, you could use a store-bought crust rather than making your own. You may need to modify the amount of filling that can fit in the store-bought crust, though.

Can you bake a no-bake strawberry cheesecake recipe?

We don’t recommend baking this no-bake strawberry cheesecake recipe. However, we have a fantastic baked strawberry cheesecake recipe if you want to make a baked version.