This is my homemade version of a 1960s dessert. The original strawberry cheesecake recipe could have been found on Strawberry Jell-O package or Cool Whip containers. This is a homemade version that is just five simple ingredients and requires no baking.
I thought the packaged version was brilliant, despite the fact that it was overly sweet, too stiff from the Jell-O and, if one were being picky, they may point out the slight chemical aftertaste. But, in its defense it was fast and very pretty. My version of no-bake strawberry cheesecake is made with nothing but fresh sweet strawberries, cream cheese, real whipped cream, and just the slightest bit of gelatin to keep it standing tall until you bite into it, then it melts in your mouth. No oven required, which makes it ideal for the sultry summer days.
Watch my video on how to make and assemble the strawberry cheesecake in my instagram highlights.
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Ingredients
This recipe includes a handful of simple ingredients, and no store-bought Jell-o or Cool Whip. All you need are these items for your delicious, creamy no-bake cheesecake layer. Feel free to use a store-bought crust to make it even easier, but the crust recipe below is delicious! If you want to be extra, make homemade graham crackers for the crust!
- Strawberries – for the strawberry topping as well as garnish. Use fresh if you have them, but frozen will also work in a pinch for the strawberry topping.
- Cream Cheese – Make sure it’s softened so it creams easily! My preferred product is Philadelphia Original.
- Heavy Cream – Instead of using a tub of Cool Whip, we’re making our own whipped cream. It’s easy, I promise! Let your stand mixer do the work for you.
- Vanilla – I highly recommend you make your own pure vanilla extract. It’s just two ingredients and so easy. It’s guaranteed to level up your baked goods!
- Confectioners’ Sugar
Ingredients
Crust
- 7 whole (106g) graham crackers
- 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter melted
- 2 tbsp (40g) nutella
- 2 tbsp (30g) brown sugar
- Pinch salt
- 2 tbsp (16g) cocoa powder
Strawberry Topping
- 1 lb (454g) fresh or frozen strawberries washed and stemmed
- 1/4 cup (55g) sugar
- 1/2 vanilla bean
- 1 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin see notes below
Cheesecake
- 1 lb (450g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (75g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups strawberry topping see above
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions
Crust
- In a food processor grind the graham crackers until they are broken into a fine powder. Add the butter, nutella, brown sugar, salt and cocoa powder and process until it is all well incorporated. You may have to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times.
- Press the crust evenly into the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch spring form pan. It should come up the sides slightly.
Strawberry Topping
- In a saucepot add the strawberries, sugar, and 2 tablespoons of water. Cook over medium heat until the strawberries are quite soft. Use an immersion blender to puree the fruit. (You can also do this by pouring the strawberries into a regular blender, then return to the pot to finish cooking.)
- Sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl. Allow it to sit for about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Transfer the gelatin to the strawberries and gently cook over low heat.
- Whisking just until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat. Reserve 3/4 cup of the strawberry mixture for the top layer of the cake.
Cheesecake
- In a stand mixer beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium-low speed, using the paddle attachment, until smooth. Add the vanilla extract. Add the strawberry topping, except the ¾ cup you have reserved for the top layer.
- In a separate bowl whip the heavy cream until medium peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the strawberry cheesecake batter. Gently folding just until it is all combined.
- Pour the cheesecake into the prepared pan. Tap the pan gently on the counter to bring any air bubbles to the surface. Let it sit, uncovered, in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until it is set to the touch.
- Once the cheesecake is set, pour the remaining ¾ cup strawberry topping over it. If the topping has set up in the pot, gently heat it for a minute, just until it is pourable.
- Place the cheesecake back into the refrigerator and allow to set, uncovered, for another 30 minutes, or until the topping is set. At this point it is ready to serve or you can cover the cheesecake with plastic and it can sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
- Before unlocking the spring form pan, run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it. Top with the fresh strawberries.
Congratulations…a well deserved spot amongst the best Zoe. What a great no bake cheesecake…YUM!
Thank you all! 🙂
Cheers, Zoë
congratulations – you so deserve it!!!!
YOu are the absolute best and glad they recognized it. Can’t wait for the new book and love your dessert. Now only if they didn’t end up on my hips I would like them even more…
excellent!! well-deserved!!! exciting!!!!
I adore Saveur and see that you belong in their company. Your chic and personal twists are always interesting.
Congrats on your Saveur accommodation. It is well deserved. You always come up with fun treats to make and break them down so they are easy to follow.
Congratulations on the Saveur mention. The quality of your work is really amazing, you deserve it. Beautiful cake, and with no baking required, impossible not to try on a hot summer day. Thanks!
Jeez — what took Saveur so long?!!! They have (previously) given recognition to sites that aren’t even in your league. Yours is one of the first sites I go to when I’m looking for inspiration. Congrats!
Congrats on your inclusion to the great list of blogs. The strawberry cake looks wonderful and perfect for the hot days ahead.
This is the prettiest thing I have seen in a long time! Just in time with the berries everywhere!
Huzzah!
Very, very deserving! I love that recipe w/out whip cream. How fantastic. 😉
Congratulation Zoe, definitely deserve the recognition! Your cheesecake does look very pretty.
Used to love that cheesecake. Made it tons in the 70s.
And congrats on Saveur inclusion. YAY!!
Congratulations!!! You deserve that mention, you are great…
Oh that looks and sounds wonderful. I need to bookmark this as I’ll have a lot of strawberries to put to use after we go picking this weekend.
This is news only to Saveur, Zoë. We’ve known it since you began writing. They are late to the party. “-0) Mazel tov!!
Congratulations! You do such a great job with your blog, I am not suprised!
Congrats on the Saveur mention-you definitely belong on that list! The cheesecake is absolutely stunning. And making me hungry!
Congratulations! And I will be making that cheesecake!
Incredibly awesome!!
Well, I agree with Saveur. People should definitely be reading your blog. Congratulations!
(PS: Your cheesecake looks amazing.)
Zoe, it was a true privilege to find myself on the list with you! Congratulations to you and — of course — what a lovely cheesecake! 🙂
This is so pretty. Just perfect for a barbeque!
Just beautiful Zoe! I rarely use pre-packaged products in my cakes and appreciate your work in developing this recipe…and congratulations on your Saveur recognitions!