The Cheesecake Factory Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

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The moment I took a bite of the Strawberry Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory, I couldn’t stop talking about it. Well, that was the reason I had to try at least making a similar version at home.

The Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Cheesecake Feature Image

To be honest, this recipe took a little extra effort and time. The moment I took a taste test, I was on cloud nine within the first few bites. Well, my taste palette loved the rich and indulgent notes of the creamy and velvety cheesecake, paired with crunchy graham crackers, which was enough to pay me back.

I couldn’t wait for my family to give this a try, and surprisingly, they loved every bite of it. Moreover, they had a hard time believing that this cheesecake was made at home from scratch

So, if you are also a true fan of creamy and velvety Strawberry Cheesecake from your favourite The Cheesecake Factory outlet, then you need to try the recipe. Make it from scratch, and you will be thanking me when everyone in your house won’t stop appreciating your culinary skills.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Bowls – You will need two separate bowls; one for preparing the cheesecake batter and the other for keeping ground graham crackers.
Springform Pan – Use a high-sided and oven-safe springform pan to set the cheesecake, and you can easily remove the sides without damaging the edges.
Parchment Paper – I always use parchment paper so that the cheesecake does not stick to the tray.
High Sided Oven Safe Pan – You would need an oven-safe pan for the waterbath process.
Plastic Wrap – I suggest using a plastic wrap to cover the edges of the springform pan.
Tin Foil – I never miss using a tin foil to make another layer of covering for the springform pan.
Piping Bag – For me, a piping bag is a great piece of equipment to add whipped cream over the edges of the cheesecake.
Star Piping Tip – To get a star-shaped swirl of whipped cream, I prefer attaching a star piping tip is a good idea.
Blender – You can use a roller to crush the graham cracker and get the coarsely ground powder.
Whisk – For me, a strong and steady whisk comes in handy to beat the eggs. It helps me to get the velvety texture.
Knife – To cut the strawberries into chunks, use a knife.
Spatula – A spatula will come in handy to fold the batter nicely.
Saucepan – Use a small saucepan to caramelise the strawberries with sugar.
Oven – Bake the cheesecake in a water bath.

The Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Cheesecake Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve upto 12 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities for more or fewer servings.

For Graham Cracker Crust

2 Packages Graham Crackers: Graham Crackers is perfect to bring the authentic flavors, but you can also use vanilla wafers or almond flour to bring the nutty notes.
¼ Cup Granulated Sugar: If I were at your place, I would use light brown sugar as an alternative to granulated sugar.
½ Cup Unsalted Butter (Melted): I think salted butter will also do fine. I would suggest to skip adding any extra salt in the crust and you would be okay.

For Cheesecake Filling

4 Packages Cream Cheese (Room Temperature): I always suggest using a dairy-free cream cheese to make it vegan.
5 Large Eggs (Room Temperature): For me, silken Tofu is an excellent alternative if you want to skip eggs.
1¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
½ Cup Full-Fat Sour Cream (Room Temperature): Greek yogurt or dairy-free sour cream is a perfect substitution.

For Fresh Strawberry Topping

2 Tablespoons Cornstarch: Just in case I don’t have cornstarch, I prefer using 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
2 Tablespoons Water (Warm)
2 Cups Whole Strawberries (Tops Removed): You can use frozen strawberries as well.
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
For Stabilized Whipped Cream

For Stabilized Whipped Cream

1 Teaspoon Unflavored Gelatin
1½ Tablespoons Water (Cold)
1½ Cups Heavy Whipping Cream (Cold): You can use a thick part of chilled coconut.
½ Cup Confectioners Sugar: Powdered or granulated sugar would do just fine.
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional)

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Resting Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	1 Hour 5 minutes	7 hours	8 hours 20 minutes

How To Make The Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Cheesecake At Home

Step 1

Place the graham crackers in a food processor and grind to a fine crumb, and mix it with melted butter.

Step 2

Further, add a teaspoon of salt.

Step 3

Then spread it evenly in the springform pan. Now, bake the graham cracker at 350°F for 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 4

Now, add strawberries and water to a blender jar and pulse them together.

Step 5

For the strawberry glaze, add the strawberry puree to a saucepan. Add sugar and lemon juice to the pan.

Step 6

Add gelatin and cornstarch and mix them well.

Step 7

Add red food colour to the pan and simmer it for 2-3 minute, Once the strawberry topping is ready, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.

Step 8

Now prepare the cream cheese filling by combining eggs, cream cheese, sugar, full-fat sour cream, and vanilla essence.

Step 9

Combine everything using a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.

Step 10

Pour the cream cheese filling into the mould.

Step 11

Place an oven-safe pan inside a springform pan. Fill the space with water and bake it at 150 degrees centigrade for 40 minutes. Once baked, turn off the oven and let the cheesecake stay in the oven for another hour.

Step 12

Dunk the strawberries in the syrup and coat them nicely.

Step 13

To assemble the cheesecake, gently remove it from the springform pan using a butter knife. Fill a piping bag with whipped cream and pipe a 1-inch circle from the edge of the cheesecake. Place the prepared strawberries upside down, and your Strawberry Cheesecake is ready to enjoy.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always make sure to bring the ingredients to room temperature before using them.
Another tip is to avoid overbeating the cream cheese mixture, as it can create air bubbles.
Whenever making strawberry topping, I always suggest adding the cornstarch to warm water first, then proceeding to the next steps.
Don’t be impatient like me and let the strawberry sauce cool down first, and then add it over the cheesecake.
I always chill the prepared cheesecake overnight to let the flavors develop.

FAQs About The Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Cheesecake

Can I skip the water bath step?

Yes, you can skip the water bath step but make sure to bake the cheesecake at low temperature and keep hot water on the rack below instead.

What if I don’t have fresh strawberries?

In my opinion, using frozen strawberries is perfect as it adds a nice texture and the flavors are enhanced. So, I would say that you can always use frozen strawberries from the store if fresh strawberries are not available.

How to check if the cheesecake is done?

To check if my cheesecake is done I chekc the edges of the cheesecake. If the edges look set and the centre part is jiggly, that means the cheesecake is done.

What to do when the cheesecake cracks?

You can cover the cracked area with extra strawberry filling and whipped cream.

Why is my cheesecake too runny from the centre?

If your cheesecake is runny, chill it in the refrigerator for around 6 to 8 hours and you are good to go.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

If you ask me, I am addicted to the Cheesecake Factory’s Strawberry Cheesecake. Having said that, the calories are little concerning for me as a slice of this cheesecake has more than 900 calories.

Moreover, the cheesecake is heavy in carbs and sugar. Even a slice of this cheesecake will keep you full for a good time.

Calories	100 kcal
Carbohydrates	82 g
Cholesterol	305 mg
Dietary Fiber	2 g
Saturated Fat	43 g
Sugar	66 g
Sodium	550 mg
Protein	12 g

The Strawberry Cheesecake includes a lot of dairy products. Sometimes when I am on diet, I make the recipe with low dairy content and non-fat, just by tweaking the recipe by using better substitutes that matches my dietary preferences. Moreover, I would suggest, having it once in a while is fine if you want to satisfy your sugar cravings.

Homemade The Cheesecake Factory Strawberry Cheesecake

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Friendly: To make this delicious Strawberry Cheesecake, use vegan cream cheese. Try using coconut cream because it will actually add a nice nutty note to the cheesecake. Also, I skip the eggs and add silken tofu instead.

Keto Friendly: I use almond flour as it is a perfect alternative to make the cheesecake keto friendly. Also, in my opinion, skiping the sugar and adding stevia blend is a great option. I would also suggest avoiding cornstarch and simply reducing the strawberry mixture by simmering it for a little longer.

Storing This Recipe

Refrigeration: I start with cooling down my cheesecake, and cover it with a plastic wrap. After this , I place it in an airtight container and then refrigerate it. This way, my cheesecake can be consumed even after 2-3 days.

Freezing: If you have not added the whipping cream on the top, then wrap the cheesecake in a plastic wrap layered with a foil and store in a freezer bag. You can keep the cheesecake in a freezer for about 2 months.

What To Serve With This Recipe

In my opinion, pairing Strawberry Cheesecake with a Vanilla Frappuccino is a perfect idea. I also add some toasted nuts. If you love some coffee, I would suggest pairing it with an iced latte. Sometimes, when I have guests, I decorate my table with a cheese platter along with the cheesecake for a casual brunch or evening snack to add savoury flavour to my taste palate.

To make it healthier, I would suggest you go with a bowl of fruit salad, and you’re good to go. I have seen my friends pairing it with a cup of chamomile tea to make the experience richer and relaxing.

Printable Version

More Cheesecake Recipes You Can Try

Cheesecake Factory's pumpkin cheesecake — The Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake

Cheesecake-Factory-Mini-Crab-Cake-Recipe — The Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake

Conclusion

The Cheesecake Factory’s Strawberry Cheesecake is a perfect way to bless your soul with sweet notes. However, as you can not always go out to have it at your nearest Cheesecake Factory outlet, this recipe will come in handy. You can always switch to alternatives of each ingredient to cater to your dietary needs.

Trust me, once you make it at home, there is no going back because the home version tastes more delicious as it also has a hint of your love.