A slice of cheesecake with berry topping on a speckled plate with scattered berries

Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

Woodley Diana

Discover the straightforward process of making a deconstructed strawberry cheesecake that’s both enjoyable to assemble and satisfying to eat. This dessert is prepared with natural sweeteners and Greek yogurt, resulting in a lighter alternative to the traditional cheesecake. If you’re into creative recipes, check out the Mung Beans Burger article for more culinary adventures.

If you’re on the hunt for a hassle-free, unique dessert with fantastic flavors, you’ve found it! This deconstructed strawberry cheesecake recipe won’t leave you regretting your indulgence; instead, you’ll be asking for seconds.

Since this recipe breaks down the cheesecake into components that are all served cold, it’s important to plan ahead and allow time for refrigeration at various stages. This dessert can be conveniently prepared in advance by assembling the parts the night before and serving them together the next day. Enjoy the deconstructed strawberry cheesecake’s delicious blend of flavors without any fuss.

Understanding Deconstructed Cheesecake

Deconstructed cheesecake is exactly what it sounds like: cheesecake broken down into smaller components. The extent to which you break down these elements and how you modify each part can lead to vastly different outcomes, while still preserving the essence of cheesecake.

In this strawberry cheesecake recipe, I’ve reimagined each layer of the traditional cheesecake. The base transforms into a delightful crumble topping, the cream cheese center adopts a lighter and simpler profile, and the fruit component remains a lusciously thick strawberry jam-like filling. The result is a unique take on cheesecake that maintains the fundamental cheesecake concept but offers a distinctive and delightful twist.

Strawberry Sauce for Cheesecake

This strawberry sauce closely resembles my strawberry jam recipe, yielding a pleasantly thick sauce that pairs perfectly with the cream cheese layer and graham crackers. While there was a brief consideration of thinning it out for this particular recipe, it was ultimately decided that its original thickness was just right.

Alternatively, an option exists to use macerated strawberries. To achieve this, follow the same recipe instructions provided below, but exclude the arrowroot powder to achieve a runnier sauce. Cook it for a shorter period until the strawberries reach your desired level of softness, potentially not as mashable as depicted in the pictures. The preferred texture is entirely a matter of personal choice. Even the use of raw strawberries is an option, although it may result in a loss of some flavors since heating the strawberries brings out greater sweetness.

For serving, it is essential to have a cold strawberry sauce prepared. This entails refrigerating the completed sauce or briefly freezing it. A recommended approach is to prepare the sauce the night before and allow it to refrigerate overnight, ensuring a minimum of an hour for proper chilling, so thoughtful planning is encouraged!

Cream Cheese Filling

Once my favorite dessert, cheesecake’s allure lay in its rich and creamy filling. However, my palate now leans towards something lighter.

This cream cheese filling is combined with Greek yogurt and sweetened exclusively with honey, steering clear of excessive white sugar. As a standalone dessert, this creamy filling doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. Yet, when enjoyed alongside the strawberries and crumble, it forms a perfect blend!

The omission of vanilla from the filling is intentional, as it’s typically uncooked. I prepared this recipe with my young daughter in mind, choosing to exclude uncooked vanilla extract from her food. However, feel free to incorporate some vanilla into this layer if you prefer.

Keep in mind that this cream cheese filling will slightly thin out as you mix it, so it’s advisable to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Graham Cracker Crumble Topping

A chocolate dessert with raspberries and red sauce on a marbled plate

The crumble topping, intentionally left without extra sweetness, perfectly complements the abundant sweetness found in the remaining components of this strawberry cheesecake dessert. Its subtle flavor adds a delightful finishing touch.

Crafting this topping is a straightforward process, and to expedite the hardening, I often choose the freezing method. However, it’s important to remember that if you plan on preparing this topping in advance, particularly the night before, refrigeration is the preferred approach. Avoid freezing it for more than 30 minutes to ensure optimal results.

Adapting for a Gluten-Free Option

Are you looking to create a gluten-free version of this dessert? While the graham crackers I typically use do contain gluten, it’s entirely feasible to make a simple substitution.

If you can source a quality gluten-free graham cracker, you can effortlessly swap it in for the regular graham crackers, making this delectable treat suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or dietary preferences. This easy switch allows you to enjoy the same delightful flavors without the gluten content.

Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

Cheesecake topped with glossy berry sauce on a white square plate with a fork

This deconstructed strawberry cheesecake recipe offers a delightful twist on the classic dessert. It’s not only enjoyable to prepare but even more satisfying to savor. What makes it even better is that it’s crafted with natural sweeteners and Greek yogurt, resulting in a cheesecake that’s lighter than the traditional version.

  • PREP TIME: 15 minutes;
  • COOK TIME: 25 minutes;
  • CHILL TIME FOR STRAWBERRIES: 2 hours;
  • TOTAL TIME: 2 hours 40 minutes;
  • COURSE: Dessert;
  • CUISINE: American, Strawberries;
  • SERVINGS: 5 servings.

INGREDIENTS:

For the Strawberry Sauce:

  • 4 cups fresh or frozen and thawed strawberries (including any juices);
  • 3 tablespoons raw honey;
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (or cornstarch as an alternative);
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 2 cups Greek yogurt (2% or full fat);
  • ¾ cup cream cheese (use 1 cup for a thicker filling);
  • 3 tablespoons raw honey.

For the Graham Cracker Crumble Topping:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter;
  • 6 whole organic honey graham crackers (equivalent to 1 ½ cups crushed).

INSTRUCTIONS:

Set out the cream cheese now to reach room temperature for later.

Making the Strawberry Sauce:

  1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the strawberries, honey, arrowroot powder (or cornstarch), and vanilla extract. Stir using a heat-safe spatula or chopstick;
  2. Cover and cook over low-medium heat for approximately 20 minutes (it should be just about to boil). Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking;
  3. Remove from heat and let it cool at room temperature with the lid off. If using large berries, consider mashing them to achieve your desired bite-size pieces;
  4. Transfer the sauce to a glass container and refrigerate to chill (typically taking a few hours to chill completely or overnight). Enjoy this luscious strawberry sauce in your deconstructed cheesecake dessert!

Preparing the Graham Cracker Crumble Topping:

  1. In a small saucepan, heat the unsalted butter over low-medium heat for approximately 5 minutes or until completely melted;
  2. You can crumble the graham crackers by either placing them in a Ziploc bag and crushing them through the bag or by simply using your hands to finely crumble them into a bowl;
  3. Once crumbled, transfer the graham crackers to a medium-sized bowl and pour the melted butter over them. Stir the mixture together using a fork, and if necessary, use your hands as it cools to ensure thorough combining. Press down firmly;
  4. Place the mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes or refrigerate until it becomes firm.

Preparing the Cream Cheese Filling:

In a medium-sized bowl, blend the room-temperature cream cheese with Greek yogurt and raw honey. Mix until well combined, then transfer the mixture to the refrigerator to slightly thicken, which typically takes about 30 minutes.

Assembling the Dessert:

  1. Retrieve all the ingredients from the fridge and freezer. Break apart the graham cracker topping into small chunks or finely crumbled pieces;
  2. Decide on your preferred serving method: Each serving on a plate, or layered in a dessert glass or glass bowl;
  3. Regardless of your choice, use approximately ½ cup of the cream cheese filling, top it with ½ cup of the strawberry filling, and sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of the graham cracker crumble on top;
  4. If you don’t use all the dessert at once, store each ingredient in its separate bowl for serving on another occasion. Enjoy!

Conclusion 

The deconstructed strawberry cheesecake offers a fresh take on a classic dessert. Its unique layers, including a flavorful strawberry compote, a smooth cream cheese filling, and a crispy graham cracker topping, combine to create a delightful blend of tastes and textures that will leave you wanting more. Whether you serve it at a gathering or enjoy it as a personal indulgence, this dessert is both elegant and delicious, making it a surefire crowd-pleaser.