Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

Making Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake Recipe is a staple holiday dessert. But I decided to change things up this year and make this cheesecake from scratch and adding a delicious strawberry swirl.

The hint of strawberry throughout the cheesecake makes it so delicious and a family favorite. If you love cheesecake as much as my family, then try these other recipes – Caramel Cheesecake Recipe, Reese’s Cheesecake, Air Fryer Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake Tacos and Cheesecake Tacos.

Why This Recipe Works

Making cheesecake from scratch may seem like it requires a lot of time and ingredients. But if you have been following for awhile, you know I love simple recipes without a lot of ingredients.

This simple cheesecake is perfect to make ahead of time and it is now requested for every holiday. It is easy to serve for the potlucks, family dinners and more.

Ingredients 

Scroll to the bottom for the full list of ingredients and recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Crust Variations – You can easily make the crust other types of cookies. We have used Oreos for a delicious chocolate crust.
• Berry Sauce – Feel free to use other types of berry sauce to swirl into this cheesecake. You can easily make the swirl with strawberry jam or with as a strawberry puree.
• Caramel – Another delicious swirl option to make it with a caramel sauce or chocolate sauce.

How to Make Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

Step – Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until its fine crumbs.  Mix together the crust ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Step 2 – Press this mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan and press the mixture up the sides of the pan approximately ½ inch high up the sides. Then bake for 8 minutes.

Step 3 – Add the sliced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch and water to a small saucepan. Stir to combine while it cooks until the sauce to thicken.

Step 4 – Beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand up mixer until soft and creamy. Mix in sugar and vanilla extract, scraping the sides of the bowl.

Step 5 – Reduce the speed on the mixer down to low and slowly add in the eggs, one at a time, until each egg is fully combined.  Be careful not to over mix. 

Step 6 – Keep the mixer speed on low and mix in the sour cream and heavy cream until both are thoroughly combined. 

Step 7 – Then pour the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust and use a spatula to make the top as smooth as possible.

Step 8 – Add the strawberry sauce to a piping bag or ziplock bag with one of the corners removed.  Pipe the strawberry sauce no top of the cheesecake in a swirl pattern.  Then add a few more swirls to the strawberry mixture with a knife or skewer.  

Step 9 – Place the pan into a large pan and pour boiling water around the cheesecake pan until it goes up approximately halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan.

Step 10 – Bake for 45-55 minutes until the edges of the cheesecake are set set and the center should still appear jiggly.

• Step 11 – Turn the oven off and crack the oven door. Let the cheesecake sit in the oven for 45 more minutes until the cheesecake has cooled to room temperature.  
• Step 12 – Remove from the oven and carefully remove the cheesecake from the water. 
• Step 13 – Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Step 14 – When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake carefully from the springform pan by running a knife around the sides of the cheesecake to release the cheesecake from the pan.
• Step 15 – Then the cheesecake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy!. 

Expert Tips 

• Ingredients – Make sure to use room temperature ingredients to ensure that the cheesecake is creamy and smooth. 
• Cream Cheese – Use full fat cream cheese for the best flavor.  
• Combining Ingredients – Make sure to not overmix the cheesecake batter. You want to combine until the ingredients are gently mixed together.
• Make Ahead – Since the cheesecake needs time to rest in the fridge, we recommend making the day before serving.

How to know When Cheesecake is Done Cooking?

Baking cheesecake will vary depending on your oven. We baked our cheesecake for about an hour and a half. You will know the cheesecake is finished baking when the edges are golden brown and set.

The center of the cheesecake will be jiggly but following the recipe and leaving the cheesecake in the oven while it is off helps to allow the cheesecake to set.