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Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake

This strawberry cream cheese cake is a delightfully messy and joyful dessert that combines layers of fresh strawberries, tangy cream cheese, and a buttery crust. The process involves baking a simple crust, preparing a light, fluffy cream cheese filling, and layering with juicy berries for a rustic, inviting appearance. The final cake is soft, creamy, and bursting with berry flavor, with a look that’s charmingly imperfect and perfect for summer sharing.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g Graham crackers or digestive biscuits crushed into fine crumbs
  • 100 g melted butter
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 250 g cream cheese softened at room temperature
  • 100 g superfine sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 200 ml heavy cream whipped to soft peaks
  • 300 g ripe strawberries hulled and sliced
  • reserved strawberry slices for garnish

Equipment

  • Springform pan
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Spatula
  • Parchment paper
  • Knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers with melted butter and sugar, mixing until evenly coated. Press this mixture into the bottom of a greased springform pan to form a crust, then bake for 10 minutes. Let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with superfine sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, about 3–4 minutes. This creates a silky, tangy base for your cake.
  3. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form—listen for gentle creaking and watch it increase in volume. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining its airy texture.
  4. Rinse, hull, and thinly slice the strawberries. Gently fold most of the sliced berries into the cream mixture, saving some for topping. The berries will add bursts of color and juiciness to each bite.
  5. Pour or spoon half of the berry-laden cream over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Layer half of the sliced strawberries on top, pressing them slightly into the filling for a natural, rustic look. Repeat with remaining cream and strawberries, creating beautiful layers.
  6. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This chilling time helps the flavors meld and the filling to set into a luscious, sliceable texture.
  7. Just before serving, arrange the reserved strawberry slices on top for a fresh, vibrant garnish. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze for extra sweetness and shine.
  8. Use a sharp, warm knife to cut clean slices, wiping the blade between cuts for neat presentation. Serve chilled and enjoy the soft, creamy layers bursting with berry flavor.