Strawberries and cream is the ultimate summer treat.
But I’m not really a Cool Whip kinda gal, and whipping heavy cream by hand? Um, not about that effort right now, especially when I’m already sweating because it’s 11938451384018234 degrees outside.
Enter crème fraîche.
Honestly, I bought this because I’m a French major and it made me feel cool. Also because the packaging was really gorgeous and I was hype to use all the åççéñts possible in one post.
Crème fraîche is like French sour cream, but a lot milder. It’s in the cheesecake in place of sour cream (where I would normally sub Greek yogurt), giving it a softer and less intense tartness. It’s also in the glaze on top of the cake, adding nice contrast to the fresh strawberries.
This recipe really celebrates the summer bounty! Sure, you have to turn on the oven in the summer heat, but the fresh strawberries in and on top of this cake are a perfect way to use some seriously delicious seasonal produce.
This cheesecake would also make a wonderful Fourth of July dessert! It’s cool and refreshing and it’s definitely a showstopper. Add the festive colors and you’re set! You could even add some blueberries or blackberries to the top to emphasize that red, white, and blue.
Whatever your reasons for making this cheesecake, make it. It’s sinfully delicious and totally creamy- it disappeared in days in my house and my cousin had a slice before and after dinner.
I hope you guys have a wonderful week. And if not, ease the Monday blues with a slice of cake! Enjoy xx
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (20 squares or 10 large graham crackers)
- 2 tbsp cane sugar
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- 16 ounces light cheese, softened (at room temp)
- 1 tsp + ⅔ cup cane sugar, divided
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 3 tbsp flour
- 4 large eggs, room temp
- ⅔ cup crème fraîche, room temp
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup strawberries, thinly sliced (about 4-5 strawberries)
- ⅓ cup crème fraîche
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- 4-5 strawberries, sliced
- Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease a 9-inch springform cake pan with butter. Cut a large circle of foil and wrap around the bottom of the pan, sealing it.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, cane sugar, and butter in a large bowl and press crust mixture into the prepared springform pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes and let cool on a wire rack. Decrease oven heat to 325ºF
- In a skillet over medium heat, combine 1 cup thinly sliced strawberries with 1 tbsp water and 1 tsp cane sugar. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until strawberries are bubbling and cooked down to a compote/jam like consistency. Set off heat to cool.
- In a large bowl, beat room temperature cream cheese with ⅔ cup cane sugar until smooth, using an electric mixer. Add salt and flour and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add crème fraîche, lemon juice, and almond extract and beat until homogenous.
- Carefully pour batter into pan over cooled crust. Using a large spoon, add spoonfuls of strawberry mixture to pan. Use a toothpick to swirl strawberry mixture into filling.
- Bake in 325ºF oven for 45-50 minutes. Turn oven off and let sit for an additional 2-5 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire rack to room temp (about 20 minutes).
- Run knife around edges of pan and move to fridge and chill for 8 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, combine remaining ⅓ cup créme fraîche, powdered sugar, and almond extract and top cake with glaze (and fresh strawberries, if desired). Run knife one more time around edges of pan before removing from springform.
*filling adapted from here
This cheesecake looks gorgeous Medha, the perfect summer dessert!
Thanks, Manali!
Aaaaah! You made something not vegan! Wow. 🙂
This cheesecake looks absolutely perfect. Using creme fraiche is such a good idea! It must be a lot lighter that way. Gorgeous!
Haha yes! I’ve been toying with not vegan things recently, but I’ve still kept the majority of my recipes vegan optional. This is definitely an exception the rule! Thanks 🙂
I didn’t realize you were studying French! That’s awesome! I got to year 4 of French in high school and felt totally left behind by the language, lol…I couldn’t tell ya how to conjugate a verb to save my life. Beautiful language, though! And I’m digging this super tasty cheesecake in all its creme fraiche-ness!
Yup, I’m French and Psych double 🙂 I really love it! Thanks xx
I totally agree – strawberries and cream is just the best! Especially in summer! This cheesecake sounds fantastic! I hope you are having a great week!!
Thanks so much!
Oh my! Cheesecake perfection! For all my summertime needs! Creme fraiche is SO good too, especially atop a cheeeeese cake! I’m loving that strawberry swirl too.. OH MY!! I think it’s time for cheesecake, Medha!
I am such a cheesecake fan, too- thanks!
This looks so delicious. Moist and Perfect. Best clicks.
Thank you! 🙂
Yessss cheesecake forever!
Thanks, Shikha!
Oh, this cheesecake would most definitely ease the blues…no matter what day of the week! I love the creme fraiche twist on this one, too. Sounds delicious, Medha!!
Thank you 🙂
Yayyyyy cheesecake!! One of my all-time favs for sure! 🙂 I really need to try this!
Thanks, Consuelo!
I’m just realizing it’s been too long since I’ve made a cheesecake! I love the idea of using creme fraiche…delicious! Love it, Medha! 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
Creme fraiche is so indulgent — it’s the ultimate and I’m sure it makes this cheesecake amazingly creamy! This looks scrumptious, Medha!
Thanks, Marcie, I agree!
Oh my goodness, Medha! That cheesecake certainly is a showstopper! It’s so thick and tall and gorgeous!
Thanks, Rachelle 🙂
What a great idea…I bet it’s super creamy!! Looks delicious!
Thanks!
This is GENIUS! Strawberries and creme fraiche sound perfect!
Thank you so much 🙂