Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake
A delightful dessert that combines creamy cheesecake, a luscious strawberry topping, and a crumbly crust, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or Golden Oreos, crushed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Strawberry Layer
- 1 box (3 oz) strawberry Jell-O powder (dry)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 cup whipped topping (Cool Whip or whipped cream)
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
Topping
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 20 Golden Oreos (or vanilla cookies), crushed
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 box (3 oz) strawberry Jell-O powder (dry)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and ½ cup of melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, then let the crust cool completely.
Cheesecake Baking
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar until smooth.
- Add in the sour cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Incorporate the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Pour this mixture over the cooled crust and bake for approximately 45 to 50 minutes. The cheesecake should be slightly jiggly in the center.
- Once done, let it cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
Strawberry Layer
- For the strawberry layer, dissolve the dry strawberry Jell-O in boiling water, then add the cold water and chill until it thickens.
- Gently fold in the whipped topping and chopped strawberries. Spread this mix over the cheesecake base and chill for an additional 2 to 3 hours.
Whipped Cream Topping
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Spread this whipped cream over the strawberry layer.
- In a separate bowl, mix crushed cookies with melted butter and the remaining Jell-O powder, then sprinkle this mixture over the whipped cream layer.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened. Don't skip the chilling times for proper setting. Fresh strawberries enhance flavor; frozen can be used if thawed and drained.