The perfect smooth and creamy no bake strawberry cheesecake, made with strawberries, cream cheese and whipped cream, plus a bit of gelatin and sugar. So quick and easy, it’s the perfect treat!
If you’re reading this right in the heart of strawberry season, when deep red berries are in every farmer’s market and grocery store, feel free to use fresh berries. Otherwise, this no bake strawberry cheesecake is actually even better when made with frozen berries.
Frozen fruits and vegetables are a saving grace for cooking and baking all year round, as they’re picked and prepared at the peak of freshness. Plus, they’re way cheaper than fresh!
If you’re going to use strawberries for decoration, you’ll need fresh. But the decoration is, of course, totally optional.
I’m continually surprised by how amazingly delicious a no bake cheesecake can be. And that is doubly true since Cool Whip, bless its heart, is not in the list of ingredients.
Anything made with Cool Whip to me just tastes, well, like Cool Whip. Certainly not cheesecake, that’s for sure.
Smooth and creamy, and filled with real, fresh-tasting strawberry flavor, this cheesecake gets the texture just right—even without all the fuss of an oven and a water bath and all that jazz. 👐 Wouldn’t it be perfect for your holiday table?
For the cheesecake filling 1 pound (16 ounces) frozen strawberries (or hulled fresh strawberries)
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) lukewarm water
1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon (8 g) unflavored powdered gelatin*
1 cup (8 fluid ounces) heavy whipping cream, chilled
2 8-ounce packages (1 pound total) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup (58 g) confectioners’ sugar
For decorating Sliced fresh strawberries, for decorating (optional)
*If using Knox gelatin by the package, 1 package weighs 7 grams, which is enough for this recipe. No need to get all technical and open up a second package for 1 single gram more.
Directions
Make the crust. In a large bowl, mix the cookie crumbs and melted butter until well-combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan or deep-dish pie plate. Place the pie plate in the freezer until firm (at least 10 minutes, but longer is fine).
Make the strawberry puree filling. In a medium-size, heavy-bottom saucepan, place the frozen strawberries, 2 tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) of the lukewarm water, granulated sugar and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the strawberries are very soft and the mixture is bubbling. Blend the strawberry mixture with an immersion blender or by placing the hot mixture in a standard blender (taking care to leave enough room in the blender for the hot liquid to expand during blending). While the strawberries are cooking, place the remaining 2 tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) water in a small, heat-safe bowl, add the powdered gelatin and stir to combine. Allow the gelatin to swell in the liquid while the strawberries finish cooking. Once the strawberries are cooked and pureed, add the gelatin mixture to the puree and stir until completely dissolved. Set the strawberry mixture aside to cool briefly.
Finish the filling. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or a large bowl with a handheld mixer, place the chilled whipping cream and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Transfer the mixture to a separate bowl and place in the refrigerator. In the same bowl, place the cream cheese, remaining 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, and confectioners’ sugar. If using a stand mixer, switch to the paddle attachment. Beat the mixture on high speed until very light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). With the mixer speed on low, add 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) of the strawberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth and well-combined. Remove the whipped cream from the refrigerator and carefully fold the whipped cream into the strawberry cheesecake mixture until only a few white streaks remain. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream.
Remove the crust from the freezer, and pour in the filling, spread it into an even layer, and decorate with the optional fresh strawberries. Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days. After 2 hours, cover the pan with plastic wrap to prevent the cake from drying out. Unmold, slice and serve chilled.
Raspberries should work, Judy. You might actually want to cook and puree the raspberries, then pass the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, since raspberry seeds are a bit larger.
Jessica Marfoe
March 25, 2016 at 10:59 PM
Would have nutritional information available? Looking for carb count in particular. thank you!
Am I missing sonething? The instruction say to add 8 oz of the strawberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture. I’m thinking 16 oz of strawberries plus the sugar should yield something closer to 16 oz, so where is the balance used?
Rita, yes you are missing something. 16 ounces of strawberries is a weight measurement. 8 fluid ounces of the strawberry puree is a volume measurement. When the strawberries and bit of sugar cook down and reduce, and are then pureed, you will have a bit extra, but less than 1/2 cup (or 4 fluid ounces) left over. You can drizzle it on top, if you like, or just serve it alongside the cheesecake.
sunny
March 22, 2016 at 12:04 PM
thanks for the quick clarification!
Rita L
March 22, 2016 at 12:46 PM
Thanks Nicole! Making this for Easter. I know it will be a huge hit. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
SueF
March 27, 2016 at 1:48 PM
I have more than one cup of strawberry puree left over – did I add too much air in the blender? Should I put most of it in?
I really can’t imagine why you’d have so much puree left over, Sue, unless there was an error in a measurement somewhere else along the line. The recipe is correct as written, and you should only add 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) of the properly made strawberry mixture.
HELLO! I’m Nicole! I make gluten-free food enjoyable & affordable. If they can make it with gluten, we can make it without. That’s a promise!
Comments are closed.
This sounds delicious! Can I use raspberries instead of strawberries and would all of the measurements stay the same?
Raspberries should work, Judy. You might actually want to cook and puree the raspberries, then pass the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, since raspberry seeds are a bit larger.
Would have nutritional information available? Looking for carb count in particular. thank you!
I don’t provide nutritional information for my recipes, Jessica. Feel free to plug the recipe into an online calculator yourself, though!
Thank you! I’m looking foward to giving this a try tomorrow.
This sounds yum & not too much sugar!
Is there a mistake in this recipes directions ???
Would like to make it for Easter !!!!
I’m not sure what you’re referring to, Carole. The recipe is correct as written.
I love that you didn’t use Cool Whip in this recipe! I am so ready for strawberry season and will have to try this recipe :) Pinning!
Love Cool Whip, London, but as a topping! 😉
I actually only like the unbaked kind of cheesecake😆 with strawberries! , why have I never thought of that?
Good thing we had this talk, then, Victoria. :)
Am I missing sonething? The instruction say to add 8 oz of the strawberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture. I’m thinking 16 oz of strawberries plus the sugar should yield something closer to 16 oz, so where is the balance used?
Rita, yes you are missing something. 16 ounces of strawberries is a weight measurement. 8 fluid ounces of the strawberry puree is a volume measurement. When the strawberries and bit of sugar cook down and reduce, and are then pureed, you will have a bit extra, but less than 1/2 cup (or 4 fluid ounces) left over. You can drizzle it on top, if you like, or just serve it alongside the cheesecake.
thanks for the quick clarification!
Thanks Nicole! Making this for Easter. I know it will be a huge hit. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
I have more than one cup of strawberry puree left over – did I add too much air in the blender? Should I put most of it in?
I really can’t imagine why you’d have so much puree left over, Sue, unless there was an error in a measurement somewhere else along the line. The recipe is correct as written, and you should only add 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) of the properly made strawberry mixture.