Description
Delightful strawberry swirl cheesecake brings creamy decadence and fruity elegance to classic dessert perfection. Sweet strawberry ribbons dance through silky cream cheese, promising an irresistible slice that beckons dessert enthusiasts to savor each heavenly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 200 g (7 oz) digestive biscuits/cookies
- 100 g (3.5 oz) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
- 750 g (1.7 lb) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 200 ml (6.7 fl oz) light sour cream, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
Topping Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup strawberry sauce
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare a springform pan by lining with parchment paper. Crush digestive biscuits into fine crumbs, mixing with cinnamon, ginger, and melted butter until texture resembles wet sand. Press mixture firmly into pan base and bake for 10 minutes to create a crisp, aromatic foundation.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese on low-medium speed until silky and uniform. Gradually incorporate sugar and vanilla, ensuring smooth integration. Add eggs and egg yolk individually, mixing thoroughly between additions. Gently fold in sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt, creating a luxurious, glossy filling with balanced tangy undertones.
- Distribute half the cheesecake filling over prepared crust. Strategically place strawberry sauce dollops across the surface. Carefully layer remaining filling, maintaining an even consistency. Drizzle additional strawberry sauce and create delicate marbled patterns using a knife, avoiding excessive manipulation to preserve distinct color variations.
- Position cheesecake on middle oven rack, baking 45-50 minutes. Look for a subtle center jiggle indicating perfect doneness. After baking, leave cheesecake in closed oven for 30 minutes to facilitate gradual cooling and prevent surface cracking. Allow complete cooling at room temperature before refrigerating 2-3 hours (preferably overnight) to achieve optimal texture and flavor development.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Sogginess by toasting graham crackers or digestive biscuits before mixing with butter for extra crispness and enhanced flavor.
- Create Smooth Cream Cheese Base by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature, which helps achieve a lump-free, silky texture without overmixing.
- Master Swirl Technique by using a thin skewer or toothpick and making gentle figure-eight movements to create delicate, artistic patterns without blending colors completely.
- Customize Dietary Needs by substituting cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew or coconut-based cream cheese for lactose-intolerant or vegan friends, maintaining the same creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg