Take full advantage of the strawberry season with this delicious and creamy strawberry cheesecake. This decadent dessert features a crunchy base made from cookies and roasted hazelnuts, a rich filling with cream cheese, white chocolate, and fresh strawberries, all topped with a smooth white chocolate ganache. It’s a perfect blend of textures and flavors that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests.
Why You'll Love This
You’ll love this strawberry cheesecake for its delightful combination of flavors and creamy texture. The roasted hazelnut and cookie base provide a crunchy contrast to the smooth and rich cream cheese filling. The addition of white chocolate adds a touch of luxury, while the fresh strawberries give a burst of freshness and sweetness. The white chocolate ganache on top adds an extra layer of decadence, making this cheesecake a truly irresistible treat.
Perfect Occasion
This cheesecake is perfect for any special occasion, from family gatherings to festive celebrations. It’s ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or as a show-stopping dessert for dinner parties. The beautiful presentation with fresh strawberries makes it a great centerpiece for any dessert table. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply indulging in a delicious homemade treat, this strawberry cheesecake is sure to impress.
Decoration Tips
For an elegant finish, decorate the cheesecake with halved or whole fresh strawberries arranged in a pattern on top of the ganache. You can also add a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for added visual appeal. For a more festive look, consider adding a few mint leaves or edible flowers. Serving the cheesecake on a decorative cake stand will enhance its presentation and make it the star of your dessert table.
Base:
- 250 grams of ground cookies (such as graham crackers or digestive biscuits)
- 100 grams of roasted, ground hazelnuts
- 150 grams of butter, melted
- 6-7 tablespoons of milk (or as needed)
Filling:
- 500 grams of cream cheese
- 300 milliliters of heavy cream
- 120 grams of powdered sugar
- 200 grams of white chocolate
- 300 grams of strawberries, finely chopped
Ganache:
- 200 grams of white chocolate
- 100 milliliters of heavy cream
Decoration:
- Fresh strawberries
Instructions:
- Prepare the Base:
- Combine the ground cookies and roasted hazelnuts in a bowl. Mix in the melted butter and milk gradually until you achieve a soft mixture suitable for shaping. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 24 cm (or 26 cm for a thinner cake) springform pan. Chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Melt the white chocolate over a double boiler and let it cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth. Add the cooled white chocolate and mix briefly.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Stir in the finely chopped strawberries.
- Spread the filling evenly over the chilled base. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight until set.
- Prepare the Ganache:
- Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until just boiling. Remove from heat and add the chopped white chocolate. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth. If the chocolate doesn’t melt completely, return to low heat and stir constantly until fully melted.
- Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring it over the chilled cheesecake. Spread evenly.
- Decorate:
- Garnish the cheesecake with fresh strawberries or decorations of your choice. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set the ganache.
- Before serving, run a thin knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Remove the springform ring and slice to serve.
Enjoy this irresistible strawberry cheesecake with a cup of tea or coffee!