Description

Creamy. Tangy. Swirled with love. 💕 This stunning cheesecake features velvety layers of cream cheese filling with vibrant strawberry sauce swirled on top—set over a crisp graham cracker crust. Whether it’s for a holiday table or a cozy weekend bake, this marbled masterpiece is just as delicious as it looks.

Ingredients

Strawberry Sauce:
• 1½ cups strawberries (fresh or frozen, hulled)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water

Crust:
• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling:
• 24 oz cream cheese (3 blocks), softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup heavy cream

Instructions

1️⃣ Strawberry Sauce:
• In saucepan: combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice → cook 5–7 min until softened.
• Mash strawberries → stir in cornstarch slurry → simmer 1–2 min until thickened. Cool completely.

2️⃣ Make Crust:
• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Mix graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
• Press into 9″ springform pan. Bake for 8–10 min. Cool.

3️⃣ Prepare Filling:
• Beat cream cheese + sugar until fluffy (2–3 min).
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing between.
• Add vanilla, sour cream, and heavy cream—mix just to combine.

4️⃣ Assemble:
• Pour filling over crust. Drop spoonfuls of cooled sauce on top.
• Swirl gently with a skewer or knife for marbled effect.

5️⃣ Bake:
• Place pan in a water bath.
• Bake 55–65 min at 325°F until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.

6️⃣ Cool & Chill:
• Cool in oven 1 hour (door cracked).
• Cool at room temp, then chill in fridge at least 6 hours or overnight.

7️⃣ Serve:
• Run knife around edge before removing springform.
• Slice and serve with extra sauce or fresh strawberries

Notes

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth batter.
Water Bath: A foil-wrapped springform pan in a hot water bath prevents cracks and keeps the texture creamy. Totally worth the extra step!
Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter on medium or low speed and stop as soon as ingredients are combined. Overmixing adds air, which causes cracking.
Chilling is Key: Chill the cheesecake for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best for the perfect slice.
Frozen Strawberries Work: No fresh strawberries? No problem! Frozen ones work just as well—just thaw and drain before using in the sauce.
Freezer Friendly: This cheesecake freezes beautifully. Slice, wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and store for up to 1 month.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the sauce and crust a day in advance, then assemble and bake when ready.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: Chill Time: 6 hours (minimum) & Cook Time: 65 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cheesecake)
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 250 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 17 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 105 g

Keywords: Baked Cheesecakes, Fruit Swirl Desserts, Cream Cheese Recipes, Holiday Cheesecakes, Valentine’s Day Treats, Berry Lover Bakes, Elegant Cakes, Summer Party Sweets, Make-Ahead Desserts, Marbled Cheesecake Ideas