Smooth and creamy strawberry cheesecake sits atop a buttery graham cracker crust.

Highlight beautiful in-season berries with the fresh fruit topping.

Learn how to make strawberry cheesecake, and give everyone in your family another reason to lovestrawberry season.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake on a platter ready to serve

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

New York-style cheesecake is typically made with extra eggs and cream cheese.

The result is a richer and denser cheesecake than other styles of cheesecake.

What Makes a Cheesecake Not Smooth?

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake ingredients

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

There are multiple factors that can lead to a lumpy cheesecake.

Can You Make Strawberry Cheesecake Ahead?

you’re free to also store the cheesecake in the fridge for up to four days.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Add the topping to the cheesecake just before serving.

Can You Freeze Strawberry Cheesecake?

Yes, cheesecake can be kept in the freezer for up to a month.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake preparing the pan for the cheesecake

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

However, we do not recommend freezing the strawberry topping.

The fruit will become mushy and soft when thawed.

Instead, plan to make the topping after the cheesecake has thawed and before you plan to serve it.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake pressing the crust into the pan before baking

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

)unsalted butter, melted

1/4cupgranulated sugar

1/2tsp.kosher salt

Cheesecake Filling:

3(8-oz.)

Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray, and line bottom of pan using parchment paper.

Press mixture evenly into bottom of prepared springform pan.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake crust in the pan after baking

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Let cool slightly, about 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 300F.

Add vanilla; beat on low speed just until combined, about 30 seconds.

Southern Living Stawberry Cheesecake beating together the cream cheese, sour cream, and butter for the filling

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Add Cheesecake Filling to pan:

Lightly coat sides of springform pan with cooking spray.

Pour Cheesecake Filling into cooled crust.

Remove pans from oven, and carefully remove cheesecake from water bath; remove and discard foil.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake adding the sugar to the filling

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Let cheesecake cool in springform pan until room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Refrigerate, uncovered, until completely chilled and set, at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.

Cook strawberries:

Place chopped strawberries in a medium saucepan; add sugar and lemon juice.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake adding the eggs to the batter

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Transfer to a large heatproof bowl.

Top cheesecake with Strawberry Topping.

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake pouring the batter into the pan

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake in the water bath after baking

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake after baking and cooling

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake chopping the strawberries

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake cooking down the strawberries

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake adding the cornstarch to the strawberry mixture

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Southern Living Strawberry Cheesecake topped and ready to serve

Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf