Ingredients You’ll Need & Why It works:

Graham Crust —

Graham Crackers: Graham crackers are often used as the base in cheesecake crusts. They come in various flavors, but after many test batches, I’ve found that honey graham crackers create the best crust. The honey adds a delightful hint of sweetness that pairs well with the creamy and tangy cheesecake filling.

Light Brown Sugar: Brown sugar, a combination of molasses and granulated sugar, is ideal for this recipe. It enhances the crust’s moisture and adds a distinct molasses flavor.

Unsalted Butter: Two tablespoons of melted butter is optimal for binding the crushed honey graham crackers into a crust for each cheesecake cup.

Cheesecake Filling —

Cream Cheese: Room temperature cream cheese is essential for creating a smooth cheesecake batter, so remember to remove it from the refrigerator a few hours prior. When sourcing cream cheese, it is best to look for one that includes a thickener, such as locust bean gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, or carob bean gum. These additives increase the cream cheese’s viscosity, producing a thick and luxurious batter. Opt for full-fat and block form for optimal results.

Heavy Whipping Cream: Heavy whipping cream typically comprises about 36% to 40% milk or butter fat. It plays an essential role in preparing this cheesecake, serving two primary purposes: (1) to impart its luxurious silky and smooth texture and (2) help to thicken the cheesecake properly.

Sour Cream: Sour cream’s acidity contributes to its tanginess, which helps balance the rich cream cheese.

Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, due to the added cornstarch, possesses thickening properties. When added to cheesecake batter, it not only sweetens it but also thickens it.

Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla extract is essential for a well-balanced and flavorful cheesecake. It enhances the flavor nuances of the other ingredients, making the experience more enjoyable.

Lemon Juice: Lemon juice interacts with the fat proteins in the cream cheese, counterbalancing its richness and infusing the cheesecake with a delightful, balanced flavor.

Strawberry Topping —

Strawberry Jam: Strawberry jam pairs perfectly with the tangy lemon juice and creamy cheesecake filling, but if you prefer a different taste, feel free to use any flavor of jam you desire.

Lemon Juice: Adding 1 ½ tablespoons of lemon juice to the strawberry jam helps to balance the sweetness.

Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are ideal for decorating the tops of each cheesecake cup, but you can also use any other fruit.

Tips For Making Strawberry No Bake Cheesecake:

Tamping the Crust — Use a small cup, spoon, or tart tamper to tamp down the graham cracker base. This helps create a perfectly flat layer for the crust.

Chill Mixing Bowl & Beaters — Chill a mixing bowl and its beaters in the fridge for at least half an hour before use. The cold bowl and beaters will help to achieve medium peaks quicker when beating the heavy cream. Medium peaks will slightly curl at the whisk’s tip when the beaters are lifted.

Use a Cookie Scooper— A cookie scoop can help evenly distribute the cheesecake filling into each cup with less mess.

Bubble-Free Cheesecake Cups — After distributing the cheesecake filling into each cup, there might be visible bubbles on the sides of the cups. To remove them, gently tap the top and sides of the cheesecakes with a small spoon to push out any air bubbles.

Allow Cheesecake to Chill — To ensure they are set properly, allow the cheesecake cups to chill in the fridge for 6-8 hours before consuming them. The longer they chill, the better they’ll taste.