Cheesecakes, No Bake

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

4.45 from 384 votes
Whip up my simple No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake – the perfect fresh and creamy recipe sure to satisfy any crowd with elegance and charm.
An overhead shot of the whole No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake on a round platter with bright-light-pink velvety cream cheese filling, topped white whipped rosettes and fresh strawberry halves. A dessert plate with a fork in the upper left corner and a serving knife at the bottom right corner.

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: A fresh, melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake bursting with sweet and fruity strawberry flavor. This decadent No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake looks and tastes elegant, yet this dessert can be made in just under 20 minutes.

IMPORTANT NOTE This recipe was updated and improved on 5/12/2023, to include the gelatin option, additional step-by-step photography, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro-Chef Tips.

My elegant pink No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is delicious anytime, especially perfect in spring and summer for picnics and parties. And it’s one of the best ways to take advantage of strawberries while they are in their peak season! Topped with fresh berries and vibrant flowers, this cake makes for an impressive treat.

Table of Contents

What is No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake?

Tools You Need for the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

Important Ingredients and Why

How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

Can I Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake in Advance?

FAQs

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

Enjoy More No-Bake Cheesecakes

What is a No-Bake Cheesecake?

  • A no-bake cheesecake has a mousse-like filling relying on whipping up cream cheese and cream and incorporating air to set.
  • Gelatin is OPTIONAL in no-baked cheesecake recipes for a firmer texture.
  • The filling is typically spread on a crumb crust, and the cheesecake is put in the refrigerator or freezer to chill and firm up.
  • In Ireland, we eat a lot of cheesecakes like this one. My Mum made many for us growing up. She used to melt a tablet of strawberry or lemon jelly (similar to American Jell-O) and mix it in. Here’s the recipe for my ‘The Easiest No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake’. It’s still to this day one of my favorite desserts, jelly and all.

Tools You Need To Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

Important Ingredients and Why

Ingredients for No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.

Graham Crackers or Digestive Biscuits:

Fresh Strawberries:

  • Strawberries give this cheesecake its gorgeous pink color. I recommend using fresh strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
  • Frozen berries in a cheesecake can give you a too-soft result.

Granulated Sugar (aka white sugar or regular sugar):

  • In no-bake desserts like this, you can use stevia or coconut sugar, or check out my Sugar Substitute Chart for more options!

Cream Cheese:

  • Make sure you use room temperature block cream cheese with less water content than spreadable cream cheese from a tub.
  • Using block cream cheese will help your no-bake cheesecake set firmer.

Heavy Whipping Cream:

  • Heavy Whipping Cream is just natural cream skimmed from milk with a fat content of 36% to whip up well.
  • Alternatively, use full-fat coconut cream.

Gelatin is optional in this recipe.

How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

Prepare the Gelatin (OPTIONAL)

  • To sponge or bloom the gelatin, sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the cold water and let it sit until the powder has soaked up all the water and expanded.
  • Alternatively, you can use 2 sheets of gelatin. Soak gelatin sheets in cold water for about 5 minutes or until softened, then drain off excess water.

Make the Crust

  1. Blend graham crackers or digestive biscuits in a food processor and mix with melted butter.
  2. Use your hands or a spatula to press into a springform pan.

Step-by-step instruction on making the crust: blend cookies in a food processor with butter then press firmly into a spring form pan.

Make the Filling

  1. Be sure to whip up the strawberry and cream cheese mixture until smooth before adding in the cream. This whipping will incorporate air to build up a structure to hold the cream.
  2. With the food processor running, and the cream and the cooled gelatin if using.

Step-by-step instructions on making the filling. Puree strawberries and sugar until lump free in a food processor. Add in the cream cheese and blend until smooth. While the machine is running, pour in the cream and the cooled liquid gelatin and continue blending until thickened.

Chill the Cheesecake

Cover with clingfilm and refrigerate for at least six hours.

Decorate the Cheesecake

Prepare this cheesecake up to 3 days in advance for convenient storage and readiness for that summer picnic or party.

The decadent light-pink No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is served on a big platter topped with white whipped cream and red fresh strawberries. Two slices are served individually on two dessert plates with forks.

Can I Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake in Advance?

Prepare this cheesecake up to 3 days in advance for convenient storage and readiness for that summer picnic or party.

FAQs

Should I use gelatin or leave it out?

  • One of the best parts about this No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe is that it doesn’t contain eggs or gelatin, so it’s perfect for vegetarians!
  • But you can add gelatin if: you need the cheesecake to firm up faster, to be easier to slice, or to serve it in hot weather.
  • For extra sweetness and to enhance the strawberry flavor, you can use an equal amount of strawberry-flavored Jell-O instead of gelatin.

How do I make my No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake firmer without gelatin?

  • Make sure you use block cream cheese with less water content than spreadable cream cheese from a tub.
  • Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature to whip up until smooth before adding in cream. This will incorporate air to build up a structure to hold cream. Then whip up the mixture until it thickens up.
  • Chill the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake at least six hours, preferably overnight, or freeze it to make it even firmer.

Can I make the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake if I don’t have a food processor?

  • Place biscuits or graham crackers into a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag instead of a food processor. Crush the biscuits with your hands or with a rolling pin until they become fine crumbs.
  • For the cheesecake filling, mash the strawberries with a fork in a mixing bowl and combine them with other ingredients.

What’s the difference between no-bake and baked cheesecake?

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

  • If you want to try a vegan and dairy-free substitute for whipping cream or heavy cream, try whipping coconut cream instead.
  • Wrap the bottom piece of your springform pan with parchment paper or tin foil, then assemble the pan. Wrap the outside of the pan with tinfoil to further prevent leakage.
  • I saw a gorgeous cheesecake decorated with flowers by ‘Call Me Cupcake’ on Pinterest. That’s where I got the inspiration to adorn my beautiful No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake. I adore Linda Lomelino’s recipes and think you should definitely check out her blog.
  • If you’re looking for more ways to use fresh strawberries, check out my Strawberry Shortcake, Sublime Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp, Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler, Strawberry Cornmeal Quick Bread, and Strawberry 3-Ingredient Microwave Jam.

 

A close shot at a slice of No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake with cookies crust at the bottom, creamy filling on top, decorated with a whipped cream rosette and half fresh strawberry.

IMPORTANT NOTE This recipe was updated and improved on 5/12/2023, to include the gelatin option, additional step-by-step photography, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro-Chef Tips.

Watch The Recipe Video!

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

4.45 from 384 votes
You're a few minutes away from the perfect party dish - my no-bake strawberry cheesecake recipe is bursting with fresh strawberries and elegant charm. 
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 12 servings
Prep Time 40 minutes
Chill for 6 hours
Total Time 40 minutes
You're a few minutes away from the perfect party dish - my no-bake strawberry cheesecake recipe is bursting with fresh strawberries and elegant charm. 
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 sachet (8 g/2 ½ teaspoons) powdered gelatin, unflavored
  • 3 cups (9 oz/255 g) plain biscuits (graham crackers or digestive biscuits)
  • ¾ cup (6 oz/170 g) butter, melted
  • 3 cups (15 oz/426 g) fresh strawberries, hulled
  • cup (2 ½ oz/71 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (12 fl oz/360 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 3 cups (24 oz/675 g) cream cheese
  • Extra strawberries, edible flowers, and whipped cream for decoration

Instructions

  • In a small bowl add the water and sprinkle over the gelatin. Set aside to set for 10 minutes.
  • Blend the biscuits in a food processor until fine crumbs are fine. Pour in the butter and blend until the cookie base comes together.
  • Press the cookies into a 9-inch springform pan in a even layer. Cover and place in the fridge until needed.
  • Place the sponged gelatin in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until liquified. Let cool down for 5 minutes.
  • In the food processor, puree the strawberries and sugar together until lump free.
  • Add in the cream cheese and blend until smooth.
  • While the machine is running, pour in the cream and the cooled liquid gelatin and continue blending until your mix has thickened.
  • Pour cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate for at least 6 hours but preferably overnight.
  • When ready to serve pipe on some whipped cream rosettes and place on fresh strawberries. Store the cheesecake for up to 3 days in the fridge. It also freezes well. Decorate with more lovely things--raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, lemons, roses, lavender, and honeysuckle--on top to create an impressive dessert.

Recipe Notes

notes:  Take two sheets of gelatin, or two teaspoons of gelatin or agar agar. Sponge the gelatin according to the pack, in a little cold water. When it is softened drain off the water. Then, if you have a microwave pop the gelatin in for about 10 secs, or until the gelatin has turned to liquid. Then, take a few tablespoons of the cream, warm it and combine with the gelatin. Start whipping up the cheesecake mixture, and as it is forming add the gel/cream mix. Then straight into the pan.
WW SmartPoints: 19
WW PointsPlus: 13
Nutrition Facts
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 468 Calories from Fat 333
% Daily Value*
Fat 37g57%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 106mg35%
Sodium 297mg13%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 5g10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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RookieBaker
RookieBaker
4 years ago

Recipe is not correct. The video says it’s vegan but then on the recipe at the bottom it says I have to add gelatin. Also, on the video it says to add cream but on the recipe at the bottom it says to add whipping cream… everything is so confusing for a beginner…
I tried it according to recipes at the bottom but it taste slightly salty

Candice Lockwood
1 year ago

My cheesecake turned out perfect I did however add two packets of gelatin.

215602CF-02F1-4F52-8804-D0B8C829ED19.jpeg
Maria Fairview
3 years ago

First ever attempted cheesecake and it turned out AMAZING!!
Thanks a million Gemma!!😁

Wendy
Wendy
4 years ago

Made this no bake cheesecake yesterday around 3 and it is still giggley. Anyone else have this issue? This is first recipe I am very disappointed it? What did I do wrong? To many strawberries? Can I freeze it?

Anomak
2 years ago

I have made a delicious no-bake cheesecake following your recipe but used blackberries and blueberries instead of strawberries.

No
No
4 years ago

Followed the recipe to dot, had to leave it in the fridge for two extra days and still didn’t freeze. Just a liquid moose. I don’t know what went wrong

abigail alba
abigail alba
4 years ago

Enjoying the new website!! 😍😍😍

Lori
Lori
8 months ago

I made the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake for a family vacation gathering and it was a huge hit. It was easy to make and absolutely delicious! I’m used to making baked NY Style cheesecakes, but will definitely add this no bake one to my repertoire. My husband even said he’d choose this over strawberry shortcake!!!
Thanks Gemma for another winner!

NAMRATA PATEL
NAMRATA PATEL
3 years ago

Can we make.this without gelatin?

Gabbie M
Gabbie M
5 months ago

Hi Gemma-
I’d love to use this recipe to make a brain mold for Halloween. Any thoughts/suggestions on setting and removing the vegan version of this in a mold?
Thanks so much!

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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