I love this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake because it combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the fresh, juicy sweetness of strawberries and the indulgent touch of a chocolate coating. It’s a stunning dessert that’s perfect for celebrations or any time I want to impress guests with something both elegant and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I adore this cheesecake because it hits all the right notes smooth, tangy cheesecake, fresh strawberries bursting with flavor, and a decadent layer of chocolate that adds a lovely contrast. The texture is perfectly creamy, and the chocolate adds a satisfying snap with every bite. Plus, it looks gorgeous on the table, making it a great choice when I want to serve something special but not overly complicated.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
Cream cheese
-
Granulated sugar
-
Eggs
-
Vanilla extract
-
Fresh strawberries
-
Graham cracker crust (or digestive biscuit crust)
-
Semi-sweet chocolate (for melting and coating)
-
Heavy cream (for the chocolate ganache)
-
Butter (optional, for chocolate ganache)
Directions
-
I start by preparing the crust, pressing crushed graham crackers mixed with melted butter firmly into the bottom of a springform pan.
-
Then, I beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy, adding eggs one at a time and vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
-
I gently fold in chopped fresh strawberries to the cheesecake batter, being careful not to break them up too much.
-
The mixture goes into the crust-lined pan, and I bake it at a moderate temperature until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
-
Once cooled, I chill the cheesecake thoroughly in the fridge to set completely.
-
For the chocolate coating, I melt the semi-sweet chocolate with heavy cream (and a little butter for extra shine) to make a smooth ganache.
-
Finally, I pour or spread the chocolate ganache over the chilled cheesecake and decorate with halved fresh strawberries on top. I let it set before slicing and serving.
Servings and Timing
This cheesecake serves about 10 to 12 people. From start to finish, including chilling time, it takes around 5 to 6 hours, but most of that is hands-off chilling time. I recommend making it a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld and the chocolate to set perfectly.
Variations
I sometimes swap fresh strawberries with raspberries or a mixed berry medley for a different fruity twist. For the crust, I’ve also used chocolate cookie crumbs to enhance the chocolate flavor. If I want a lighter version, I use reduced-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt in the filling. And for a fun presentation, I occasionally drizzle white chocolate over the ganache.
Storage/Reheating
I keep the cheesecake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring the chocolate topping stays firm and fresh. Since this dessert is best served cold, I don’t recommend reheating it. Instead, I let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to bring out the flavors fully.
FAQs
Can I make this cheesecake gluten-free?
Yes, I substitute the graham cracker crust with gluten-free cookies or gluten-free graham crackers to make this cheesecake gluten-free without compromising flavor.
How do I prevent the cheesecake from cracking?
I bake the cheesecake at a low temperature and avoid overbaking. Also, I let it cool slowly in the oven with the door slightly open to prevent sudden temperature changes that cause cracking.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
I prefer fresh strawberries because they hold their texture better, but if I use frozen, I thaw and drain them well to avoid extra moisture in the cheesecake.
How thick should the chocolate coating be?
I aim for a thin to medium layer of chocolate ganache — enough to cover the top and sides smoothly without overpowering the cheesecake’s creaminess.
Can I freeze this cheesecake?
I’ve frozen this cheesecake successfully by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. I thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
Conclusion
This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake is one of my favorite go-to desserts when I want something that looks impressive and tastes incredible. It brings together fresh fruit, creamy cheesecake, and rich chocolate in a way that never fails to wow anyone I share it with. I hope I’ve inspired you to try making it yourself it’s absolutely worth the effort.
PrintChocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews
This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake combines creamy, tangy cheesecake with fresh, juicy strawberries and a luscious chocolate ganache coating. It’s an elegant, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for celebrations or any special occasion.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: Approx. 5-6 hours (including chilling)
- Yield: 10-12 servings
- Category: Dessert, Cheesecake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
24 oz (680 g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, chopped (plus halved for topping)
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuit crumbs)
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for crust)
8 oz (225 g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
1 tbsp butter (optional, for ganache shine)
Instructions
Prepare crust:
Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Chill while preparing filling.
Make cheesecake batter:
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
Add strawberries:
Gently fold chopped strawberries into the batter, careful not to break them up too much.
Bake:
Pour batter into crust. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 50–60 minutes, or until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.
Cool and chill:
Allow cheesecake to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Prepare chocolate ganache:
Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add butter if using, stir until glossy.
Coat cheesecake:
Pour ganache over chilled cheesecake, spreading evenly. Decorate with halved strawberries. Refrigerate until ganache is set.
Notes
Use fresh strawberries for best texture; thaw and drain if using frozen.
For a gluten-free crust, substitute gluten-free cookies or crackers.
Avoid cracking by baking at low temperature and cooling slowly.
Chocolate ganache layer should be thin to medium thickness to balance flavor.