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Home » Recipes » Dessert

Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake

April 23, 2022 by Kristen Espino Leave a Comment

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This Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake is a crowd pleasing dessert. It has a creamy and decadent white chocolate cheesecake filling and is baked on top of a honey graham cracker crust.

Strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake is made with macerated strawberries and strawberry whipped cream.

Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake is so easy to put together and is perfect for any occasion. This cheesecake is topped with macerated strawberries, strawberry whipped cream and because it was inspired by Disney's Toy Story character Lotso, little Teddy Graham cookies for a fun touch.

If you are looking for delicious cheesecake recipes, then try my No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Creamy Honey Cheesecake, and Mini Blueberry Cheesecake.

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake

  • White chocolate cheesecake- This cheesecake recipe is not overly sweet and has delicious notes of vanilla. It pairs so well with fresh strawberries.
  • Graham cracker crust- This crust is so easy to make and is the perfect base for our cheesecake. It's buttery, lightly sweetened and has a small amount of ground cinnamon.
  • Macerated strawberries- By adding sugar and lemon juice to our fresh strawberries, it draws out the natural juices and creates a fruity syrup.
  • Strawberry whipped cream- To add an extra boost of strawberry flavor, I add finely ground freeze dried strawberries to some lightly sweetened whipped cream.
Strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake, inspired by Disney's Toy Story character, Lotso.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card below.

  • Graham crackers- I use Honey Maid graham crackers and grind them into a fine crumb inside my food processor.
  • Cream cheese- I use Philadelphia Original. Do not use less fat or spread. Pull your cream cheese 2-3 hours before baking and let sit at room temperature.
  • White chocolate- Use a good quality chocolate. For this recipe, I used Ghirardelli.
  • Eggs- I use large eggs and I let them sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
  • Strawberries- Use fresh, ripe strawberries. Do not use frozen.
  • Butter- Use unsalted butter when making your crust.
  • Teddy Grahams- Since this is a Disney inspired dessert, I use these teddy bear cookies for decoration. But you can easily omit them if you'd like.
  • Freeze Dried Strawberries- I used Trader Joe's brand for this recipe but any kind will do.
Sliced strawberries, macerating with sugar and lemon juice.

Step By Step Instructions

Here is how to make and bake this decadent white chocolate cheesecake.

STEP 1: Make the crust. Begin by placing graham crackers inside a food processor. Blend until finely ground. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter until evenly coated.

STEP 2: Press crumbs into pan. Spray a 9" springform pan with non stick spray and line the bottom with a parchment circle. Pour graham cracker mixture into pan. Using a measuring cup, pack crumbs on the bottom and up the sides of the pan.

Graham cracker crust
White chocolate cheesecake filling.

STEP 3: Bake crust. Bake the cheesecake crust for 12 minutes inside a 325 degree oven. Let cool.

STEP 4: Beat cream cheese. Combine cream cheese and sugar and beat for 2-3 minutes on high speed.

White chocolate cheesecake fillings inside a baked graham cracker crust.
Baked white chocolate cheesecake.

STEP 5: Add wet ingredients. Add cooled melted white chocolate and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Lastly, add eggs on low speed, one at a time. Mix just until combined.

STEP 6: Bake the cheesecake. Pour batter into cooled crust. Prepare water bath (notes below.). Bake at 325 degrees for 70 minutes.

STEP 7: Macerated strawberries. Wash, hull and slice strawberries into quarters. Toss with sugar and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerator for 1 hour.

STEP 8: Strawberry whipped cream. Add freeze dried strawberries to a food processor and grind into a powder. Whip heavy cream and vanilla extract on medium speed until soft peaks begin to form. Slowly add sugar, followed by strawberry powder and mix on high speed until stiff peaks.

Water Bath Technique

  • A water bath is essential when baking cheesecakes. It creates steam inside the oven which prevents cracks from occurring in your delicate cheesecake.
  • It also ensures the cheesecake will come out smooth and creamy.
  • This technique is leak proof and does not require any foil.
  • Begin by placing your 9" springform pan inside a 10" cake pan. Place the cake pan inside a large roasting pan. Place inside the oven and pour hot water inside roasting pan, halfway up the sides of the cake pan.
Strawberry whipped cream, macerated strawberries and Teddy Graham cookies on top of cheesecake.

Expert Baking Tips

  • Use room temperature ingredients. Room temperature ingredients blend up easily and will ensure your cheesecake is smooth and lump free.
  • Add eggs last and beat just until combined. The longer you mix the eggs, the more air is incorporated into the batter which can cause cracks.
  • Grease the pan and line the bottom with parchment. This will help when you're ready to remove the cheesecake from the pan.
  • Always use a water bath when making cheesecakes. This will create a moist environment and prevent cracks from happening.
  • After the cheesecake has finished baking, turn the oven off and peak the door halfway open. Leave inside for 30 minutes. This will also prevent cracks from happening inside your cheesecake.
    Sliced white chocolate cheesecake, topped with sliced strawberries, strawberry whipped cream and Teddy Grahams.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I substitute other berries?

    Yes, you can use other fresh berries instead of strawberries. Raspberries on their own are a great choice. Or mix all the berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries for an ultimate berry cheesecake.

    Can I add strawberry filling to the cheesecake filling?

    Absolutely! You can fold in small pieces of strawberries or even a bit of strawberry puree into the filling for a swirl effect.

    Can I use dark chocolate for this cheesecake?

    Absolutely. Replace the white chocolate with dark chocolate and add ¼ cup of dutch process cocoa powder. It's the best dark chocolate cheesecake.

    How do I know when my cheesecake is done?

    Gently jiggle the pan. The top of the cheesecake will be set and have a subtle jiggle in the center.

    What's the best way to get clean slices of cheesecake?

    Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water, wiping it clean between each slice. This helps create smooth, neat cuts, without tearing up the cheesecake.

    Storing and Freezing

    Store this strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 5-7 days.

    Freezing

    Slice the cheesecake into portions or leave it whole. Wrap it well in plastic, then foil. Freeze for up to 30 days.

    More Fruit Recipes To Try

    • Strawberries and Cream Cookies
    • Blueberry Fritters with Blueberry Glaze
    • Mango Tres Leches
    • Churro Chips with Fruit Salsa

    After trying out this recipe, I'd love to hear your feedback. Please consider leaving a comment below. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram and follow me on Pinterest for more mouthwatering recipes. Your support is greatly appreciated!

    📖 Recipe

    Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake

    This strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake is the perfect combination of flavors. Creamy white chocolate cheesecake combined with macerated strawberries and strawberry whipped cream. Inspired by Disney's Toy Story character Lotso, this cheesecake is loaded with strawberry flavor.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 45 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Chilling Time 8 hours hrs
    Total Time 9 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 servings
    Calories 543 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Graham Cracker Crust

    • 1 ½ cups Graham cracker crumbs
    • 1 tablespoon White granulated sugar
    • 5 tablespoon Unsalted butter melted
    • ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon

    White Chocolate Cheesecake

    • 9 oz White chocolate chips Ghirardelli
    • 2 lbs Cream cheese room temperature
    • 1 ¼ cups White granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • 4 Eggs large

    Macerated Strawberries

    • 2 cups Strawberries hulled and sliced into quarters
    • 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoon White granulated sugar

    Strawberry Whipped Cream

    • 1 ½ cups Heavy cream
    • ¼ cup White granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup Freeze dried strawberries ground into a powder

    Instructions
     

    Graham Cracker Crust

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray 9" springform pan with nonstick spray. Line bottom of the pan with a parchment circle.
    • Blend graham crackers inside food processor until finely ground. Pour into a bowl and toss with sugar, cinnamon and melted butter.
    • Pour into springform pan and using the back of a measuring cup, firmly press on the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
    • Bake for 12 minutes. Remove and let cool.

    White Cheesecake Filling

    • To melt white chocolate, place inside a heat proof bowl over a double boiler. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth and completely melted. Remove and let cool.
    • Using a mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of the bowl and add in melted white chocolate. Mix until incorporated. Add eggs one at a time on low speed, followed by vanilla extract. Mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
    • Pour cheesecake batter inside cooled crust. Prepare water bath.
    • Place springform pan inside a 10" cake pan. Place the cake pan inside a large roasting pan and fill with hot water, enough to come half way up the sides of the cake pan.
    • Bake cheesecake for 60-70 minutes until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
    • Turn off oven and peak the door halfway open. Let cheesecake rest inside the oven for 30 minutes before removing.
    • Let cheesecake cool at room temperature for 1 hour before refrigerating.
    • Chill cheesecake for 8 hours, or overnight.

    Macerated Strawberries

    • Wash, hull and slice strawberries into quarters. Inside a bowl, toss with sugar and lemon juice. Cover and place inside refrigerator for 1 hour.

    Strawberry Whipped Cream

    • Place freeze dried strawberries inside food processor and mix until they are finely ground into a powder.
    • Whip heavy cream and vanilla on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add strawberry powder and sugar. Mix until stiff peaks.
    • Remove cheesecake from the pan and place onto a serving platter. Place strawberry whipped cream inside a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe rosettes along the outer edge of the cheesecake.
    • Fill in the center of the cheesecake with macerated strawberries. Serve chilled.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 543kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 7gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 267mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 1265IUVitamin C: 56mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword white chocolate, graham cracker crust, baked cheesecake, cheesecake, macerated strawberries, strawberry whipped cream
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Hi New Friends!

    Hi I'm Kristen!

    The creator, recipe developer and food photographer for The Epicurean Mouse. Here you will find delicious seasonal meals, desserts and everything in between to share with your family and friends.

    More about me →

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