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Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake: A Showstopper Dessert Mashup

A decadent slice of strawberry shortcake cheesecake topped high with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
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Create this stunning Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake, which combines creamy cheesecake texture with a buttery shortcake-style crust and a crunchy strawberry topping, reminiscent of a favorite ice cream bar.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Crust: 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer or shortbread cookie crumbs
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • For the Cheesecake Filling: 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • For the Strawberry Layer: 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • For the Strawberry Crunch Topping: 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberry powder (or finely crushed strawberry gelatin powder)
  • For Topping/Garnish: 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • Fresh strawberries

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Strawberry Crunch Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the freeze-dried strawberry powder until evenly mixed. Place the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Make the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix the cookie crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Let the crust cool while you prepare the filling. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).
  3. Prepare the Strawberry Layer: In a saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and release juices, about 8 to 10 minutes. Mash slightly with a fork. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  4. Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract and flour. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition. Do not overmix.
  5. Assemble and Bake: Pour half of the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust. Spoon half of the cooled strawberry mixture over the batter. Gently spread the remaining batter over the strawberries. Top with the remaining strawberry mixture in dollops. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the frozen Strawberry Crunch Topping over the top.
  6. Bake the cheesecake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight wobble. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside the oven for 1 hour. This prevents cracking.
  7. Cool and Chill: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight.
  8. Finish and Serve: Before serving, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the chilled cheesecake. Sprinkle the remaining frozen Strawberry Crunch Topping over the whipped cream. Garnish with fresh strawberries. Carefully release the sides of the springform pan before slicing.

Notes

  • For a truly showstopper dessert, use a water bath when baking the cheesecake to help it cook evenly and prevent cracks.
  • If you cannot find freeze-dried strawberry powder, you can finely crush strawberry shortcake cookies (like vanilla wafers mixed with strawberry gelatin) to achieve a similar crunch and color for the topping.
  • This dessert tastes best when fully chilled, allowing the layers to set properly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/strawberry-shortcake-cheesecake-recipe/