Lovely summer cheesecake made with fresh berries and fresh mixed berry puree. There is mixed berry puree on the top of the cheesecake and inside of the cheesecake. Beautiful fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries on top add a light, juicy fruit taste to this summer dessert.
BERRY CHEESECAKE
On these nice summer days, we need a nice summer dessert. And, just in time for the biggest summer holiday, I made this beautiful summer berry cheesecake that showcases the patriotic “red, white, and blue” colors. It’s a perfect dessert to serve on July 4th, and really any other day that you have access to some beautiful berries.
This cheesecake is made with not only fresh berries, it’s made with a sweet, flavorful mixed berry puree. There is some puree added right to the crust for another layer of flavor, and more puree slathered on top.
There will most likely be a little bit of puree leftover from this recipe and that is made on purpose. You can either slather extra puree right on top of the cheesecake, or you can serve extra with each slice.
I’m actually quite addicted to berries and especially, to berry sauce. Even though we love berries, we don’t seem to eat them fast enough. So when they start to get less than plump and perfect, I make this quick berry puree or a sauce and use it on everything.
There are many recipes here, on the blog, where I use blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry puree and/or sauce. It’s a great way to use up the older berries that are not good enough to eat anymore.
TIPS FOR SERVING THE CHEESECAKE
Some of the previous comments about cheesecakes inquired about taking it out of the springform. The easiness option is always to just take off the side of the springform and leave the bottom.
I usually serve it on a nice cake stand but I leave the bottom of the springform on. The main reason is that it’s nearly impossible to take the cheesecake from the bottom without breaking it. At least, I haven’t had any luck with it.
Downside to keeping the springform bottom on is that it can be quite slippery on top of a plate, serving dish, or a cake stand. here is little tip for serving or displaying the cheesecake with the bottom part of the sprinform still on:
– Get a paper towel and wet it. Squeeze access water out and fold it into a square. Place the wet paper towel square between the cake stand and cheesecake. This will help create friction and prevent the bottom of the cheesecake from sliding around the dish.
If you have to take out the whole cheesecake:
These is also an option to fit a piece of parchment paper on the inside bottom of the springform, if you absolutely have to take the whole cheesecake out of the springform. You would have to fit it to the bottom of the form and cut it out as perfectly as possible. Once you are ready to take the cheesecake out, take off the side of the springform.
Loosen the bottom of the cheesecake (keeping the parchment paper on the crust) all around by gently pulling the cheesecake up with a spatula. (Make sure the parchment paper stays on the cheesecake.) Get your serving dish ready and use as big of a spatula as you have. Slide spatula under the cheesecake and gently pull and slide the cheesecake off the bottom of the springform right onto the serving dish.
SOME MORE RECIPES TO TRY
Blueberry Doughnuts with Blueberry Cream Whiskey Glaze
White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
Strawberry Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting
Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad from Slow Roasted Italian
Mixed Berry Cream Cheese Crepes from Whole and Heavenly Oven
If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!
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Mixed Berry Cheesecake aka Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake
Ingredients
Berry Puree:
- 4 oz raspberries
- 6 oz strawberries
- 6 oz blueberries
- 2/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 Tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup of berry puree
Cheesecake:
- 4 8 oz packs of cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp corn starch
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Topping:
- 4 oz fresh raspberries
- 6 oz fresh strawberries
- 6 oz fresh blueberries
- About 1/2 cup of berry puree add more on top if you wish or save some for individual servings
Instructions
Berry Puree:
- In a sauce pot, over medium heat, combine all berries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir and let it cook, uncovered. Make sure to stir every few minutes. Let the berries simmer for about 20 minutes, some of the liquid will cook down.
- Take the sauce pot off heat and puree the mixture either with an immersion blender or in a separate blender. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 325 and grease a 9 inch spring form. You will need a large roasting pan (one that’s bigger and longer than the spring form. I use the aluminum foil disposable roasting pan.)
Crust:
- In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, vanilla extract and brown sugar. Mix very well.
- Spread crumb mixture in the bottom on the spring form, evenly, pressing it over the bottom and about half way up the sides.
- Spread 1/3 cup of berry puree evenly over the crust.
Cheesecake:
- In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy. Scrape sides and bottom on the bowl and beat for another minute.
- Add corn starch and sugar and mix until combined.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated.
- Add sour cream, vanilla extract, and heavy cream, and beat until all mixed very well.
- Drop scoops of cheesecake batter all over the crust, covering it completely and then even it out. (If you just pour in the batter, it will start mixing with berry puree.)
- (If you are not sure about your springform holding up in water, you can wrap the springform in heavy duty aluminum foil from bottom up to the sides, pressing it tight to the outside of the springform.)
- Place roasting pan into the oven and place cheesecake springform inside the roasting pan. Carefully add water to the roasting pan, about half way up the side of the spring form.
- Bake for 85-90 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the oven door half way. Let cheesecake rest for 10 minutes and take it out of the oven (out of the water bath).
- Let it rest for 10-15 minutes on the counter and then gently run a greased butter knife between sides of the cheesecakes and the springform to carefully separate it. (You don't actually have to take the cheesecake out of the pan until ready to add toppings.) Let it cool to the room temperature before covering and putting it in the fridge.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours or overnight. (You can transfer the berry puree into a glass jar until ready to use.)
Topping:
- When ready to serve the cheesecake, take the side rim of the springform off. Pour 1/2 cup of berry puree on top of the cheesecake, in the center. Gently spread it with a spatula over the top. Then, add berries. It's easier to place strawberries first and then add blueberries and raspberries.
- If you will have leftover, just put the side rim of the springform back on and cover it with a saran wrap over the top.
Notes
Nutrition
Greg says
Just wanted to let you know this was the 2nd Cheesecake I ever made. This recipe is great for those just starting to make cheesecakes. Simple directions and easy to follow laughs and the sight of a four year old devouring it is priceless.
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked the recipe, Greg. I bet that sight does make your heart happy! 🙂
Rachael says
This is one of top 3 favorite cheesecakes and I got rave reviews on the Fourth of July. I was wondering if it was possible to make this a chocolate cheesecake by adding coco powder or chocolate of some sort?
LyubaB says
I am so glad you like the cheesecake! Yes, you could make it chocolate and here is a link to my chocolate cheesecake so you can have the exact way to adapt it.
https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/chocolate-cheesecake/
Marylynn says
Can you use frozen berries instead of fresh?!
LyubaB says
Hi Marlynn,
You can, they are usually a lot softer so you will have a slightly different texture. I hope you enjoy it!
Marwa says
Its a lovely recipe not my first time to do it
But i made a mistake I put in the over right away not in a water bath
Please tell me its ok 🙈
LyubaB says
It will be okay, it may have cracks in it but will still taste good.
Addie van Lier says
Hello would this recipe work to make mini cheesecakes?
LyubaB says
Hi, Adde! You could definitely make mini cheesecakes with this recipe just adjust the baking time. 🙂
Kathy says
Would it be possible to put some sliced strawberries and whole blueberries in the batter and if so would it change the cook time?
LyubaB says
Hi, Kathy! I wouldn’t add any berries to this cheesecake because it would add to much moisture, berries let out a lot of juice when cooked.
Brandie says
This looks absolutely amazing! A perfect dessert for 4th of July. Pinned!
LyubaB says
Thanks, Brandie!
Meg says
Lovely all of them, thanks for sharing
Lyuba says
Thank you so much, Meg! Enjoy 🙂
Anna @ Anna Can Do It! says
What a gorgeous cake!I love every single part of it from the berries to the cheesecake, it’s just perfect! – Love, Anna
lyuba says
Awe, thank you so much, Anna!! 😀
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Nothing like waking up and first thing you see is a red white and blue cheesecake staring at you. Let see, there is protein in there, good fruit. Yep it’ll be a breakfast food. Your colors and photos are fantastic. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day!!
lyuba says
Oh, cheesecake is totally a breakfast food 😉
Thank you so much, Marisa!