This no-bake strawberry cheesecake is perfect for those who love a creamy, rich dessert without the hassle of baking.
The contrast between the crunchy almond crust and the velvety cream cheese filling, along with the burst of fresh strawberries, creates a delightful symphony of textures and flavors.
Ribbons of fruity sauce fill this almond-crusted stunner with fresh flavor.
It’s an ideal dessert for warm weather, as it’s refreshing and doesn’t require turning on the oven.
Servings: 12
Equipment
- Blender
- Pot
- Nonstick skillet
- Cooking spray
- Food processor
- Springform pan 8"x3"
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Microwave-safe bowl
- spatula
- Knife
Ingredients
- 6 cups strawberries trimmed and sliced
- 5 Tbs. & 1 cup sugar
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
- 3/4 cup & 2 Tbs. sliced almonds
- 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 5 Tbs. butter melted
- 2 1/2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 .25 oz. envelope of unflavored gelatin
- 2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping
Instructions
Prepare Strawberry Sauce
- Puree half of the strawberries with 3 tablespoons of sugar in a blender.
- Transfer the mixture to a pot and stir in the cornstarch.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, cooking until thickened, about 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
Toast Almonds and Prepare Crust
- In a nonstick skillet, toast the almonds over medium heat for about 3 minutes until they are golden brown. Let them cool.
- Coat an 8-inch by 3-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
- In a food processor, grind 3/4 cup of the toasted almonds until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl.
- Mix in the graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and melted butter.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Refrigerate the crust for 30 minutes to set.
Make Cheesecake Filling
- Beat the cream cheese and the remaining sugar together on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add in the vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of water with the gelatin. Let it stand for 5 minutes to bloom.
- Microwave the gelatin mixture for about 15 seconds until melted.
- Stir 1 cup of the cream cheese mixture into the melted gelatin until well combined.
- Fold this mixture back into the remaining cream cheese mixture. Gently fold in the whipped topping.
Assemble Cheesecake
- Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled crust.
- Dollop 1/2 cup of the cooled strawberry sauce over the first layer of cheesecake filling.
- Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the strawberry sauce layer.
- Top with the remaining strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries.
- Cover the cheesecake and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or until firm.
- Run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan.
- Remove the side of the springform pan.
- Garnish with the remaining toasted almonds on top before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Tips & Tricks
- Chill the Crust: Ensure the crust is well-chilled before adding the filling to help it set firmly.
- Bloom the Gelatin: Allow the gelatin to bloom fully in water before microwaving to ensure a smooth consistency in the cheesecake filling.
- Fold Gently: When incorporating the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, fold gently to maintain a light, airy texture.
- Layering: Spread the layers of cream cheese mixture and strawberry sauce evenly to create a beautiful layered effect when sliced.
- Chill Time: Let the cheesecake chill for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the cheesecake to set properly.
- Fresh Strawberries: Use fresh strawberries for the sauce and garnish to enhance the flavor and presentation.