Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake (Printable Version)
Creamy cheesecake with strawberry gelatin filling and a crunchy cookie topping, perfect for warm days.
# Everything You’ll Need:
→ Crust
01 -
1 lb vanilla cream cookies (about 34 cookies), divided
02 -
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Filling
03 -
3.3 oz strawberry gelatin (1 small box)
04 -
1 cup boiling water
05 -
16 oz cream cheese, softened
06 -
3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 -
2 cups heavy whipping cream
08 -
1/2 cup powdered sugar
09 -
10 strawberry wafer cookies (about 4 oz)
→ Topping
10 -
About half a small tub of whipped topping, thawed
# Steps to Cook:
01 -
Process 26 vanilla cream cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add melted butter and pulse until mixture resembles wet sand. Press evenly into the bottom of a greased 10-inch springform pan. Freeze for 15 minutes.
02 -
Combine boiling water and strawberry gelatin in a bowl. Stir vigorously for 2 minutes until fully dissolved. Set aside to cool at room temperature without refrigerating.
03 -
In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 -
In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, scraping down the bowl once for even texture.
05 -
Divide the whipped cream in half. Fold one half into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Whisk the other half into the cooled gelatin mixture until fully incorporated.
06 -
Pour half of the strawberry gelatin mixture onto the frozen crust and freeze for 15 minutes. Remove from freezer, spread the cream cheese mixture over the gelatin layer, then top with the remaining gelatin mixture.
07 -
Coarsely crush remaining vanilla cream cookies and strawberry wafers using a rolling pin inside a sealed bag. Optionally, mix in a few drops of food coloring for added pink hue. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top layer.
08 -
Refrigerate the assembled cheesecake for at least 4 hours until set. Just before serving, pipe thawed whipped topping decoratively over the dessert if desired.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Use heavy cream and fresh strawberries to enhance flavor. Store leftovers airtight in the refrigerator for up to four days.
02 -
Golden Oreos can substitute vanilla cream cookies for a different flavor profile.