Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake

Total Time Prep/Total time: 25 min. + chilling
Yield 12 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Between its place in summer break nostalgia and its no-bake nature, this strawberry crunch cheesecake is the perfect summer dessert.

Ingredients

  • CRUST:
  • 45 vanilla wafers, crushed (1-1/2 cups)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • CHEESECAKE FILLING:
  • 3 packages (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • CRUNCH TOPPING:
  • 30 vanilla wafers, crushed (1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • Whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries, optional

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix wafer crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto bottom and 1/2-in. up sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan.
  2. Place cream cheese in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add freeze-dried strawberries, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and vanilla and pulse until well blended.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream using an electric hand mixer set on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2-3 minutes. Gently fold cream cheese mixture into whipped cream until just combined. Transfer cheesecake filling to the springform pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.
  4. For the topping, in a large bowl, mix wafer crumbs, freeze-dried strawberries and butter. Evenly sprinkle crunch topping over cheesecake. Cover; refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. If desired, serve with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 508 calories, 37g fat (21g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.

This cheesecake packs the flavors of sweet strawberries into every bite. You'll love this dessert from top to bottom, with its crust made of vanilla wafers, filling of freeze-dried strawberries and cream cheese, and crumbled topping of the two together. —Megan Taylor, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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