Easy Berry Delight

Featured in Desserts.

Prepare a dreamy dessert bursting with berry flavor and creamy layers. Start with a crunchy graham crust, followed by a smooth cheesecake mix laced with vanilla and a homemade berry sauce. Whipped cream and softened cream cheese come together for a fluffy filling. Add a handful of berries on top for a fresh finish. Let it rest overnight so everything sets perfectly, making it an easy choice for parties or family meals.

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Updated on Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:01:05 GMT
A plated slice of cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries. Pin it
A plated slice of cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries. | tasteofmoms.com

This chilled berry cheesecake delivers creamy decadence alongside bright summer fruit flavors without any baking needed. The gorgeous fruit ripples throughout create an eye-catching dessert while adding pops of natural sweetness in every bite.

I whipped up this cheesecake for my sister's birthday during a massive heatwave when it was 95 outside and I didn't want to make the house hotter. Everyone thought I'd slaved away for hours, but between us, it couldn't be easier.

Ingredients

  • Graham crackers: They create that wonderful buttery base that works so well with the smooth filling above
  • Room temperature cream cheese: This is key for getting that velvety texture with no chunks
  • Fresh mixed berries: They bring natural sweetness and gorgeous colors
  • Heavy cream: When beaten until firm, it makes everything light yet indulgent
  • Cornstarch: This magical powder gets your berry mix to just the right thickness
  • Vanilla extract: It rounds out the flavors and balances the tanginess

Step-by-Step Instructions

Berry Sauce Preparation:
Process your berries until they're completely smooth. The more thorough your blending, the better your sauce will turn out. Take your time pushing it through a fine strainer to get rid of seeds and pulp for that silky feel.
Thickening The Sauce:
Mix your strained berry liquid with sugar and cornstarch, then cook over medium heat while continuously stirring. This needs the full 10-15 minutes until it gets that thick, jam-like texture. Don't try to rush or your cheesecake might end up too soft.
Creating The Perfect Crust:
Blend graham crumbs with melted butter until everything looks wet. Pack it firmly into your springform pan, using a measuring cup bottom to really press it down. Good packing means your crust won't fall apart when serving.
Whipping The Cream:
Take your cold heavy cream and beat it until firm peaks show up. Make sure the cream comes straight from the fridge for best results. When you pull the beater out, the cream should stand tall without drooping.
Preparing The Cream Cheese Mixture:
Mix your room temp cream cheese with sugar, vanilla and salt until it's completely smooth with no lumps. Make sure to scrape the bowl sides multiple times so everything gets mixed in properly.
Combining Everything Together:
Carefully fold your whipped cream into the cream cheese mix using a rubber spatula. Use gentle movements instead of stirring to keep all that fluffiness that makes this dessert so light.
Setting The Cheesecake:
Wrap up your springform pan and let it chill for at least 6 hours, but overnight works best. This rest time helps everything firm up right and lets the flavors blend together. Taking your time here means perfect slices later.
A cake with berries and strawberries on top. Pin it
A cake with berries and strawberries on top. | tasteofmoms.com

That berry sauce really makes this dish special. My grandma always told me to strain berries twice through a fine mesh for the smoothest results. I can still hear her saying that a good cheesecake should never have seeds getting in the way of that silky mouthfeel.

Make Ahead Magic

This treat actually gets better after spending time in the fridge. You can make it up to two days before your event and the flavors will develop beautifully. The base stays crisp while the filling sets just right. Just don't add any fresh berries on top until you're almost ready to serve.

Perfect Substitutions

Want more tang? Swap out a third of your cream cheese for mascarpone. Can't find fresh berries? Frozen ones work great too - just thaw them completely and drain off the extra juice. Need a gluten free version? Try using gluten free cookies instead of graham crackers, or blend some nuts, dates and coconut oil until crumbly.

Serving Suggestions

Add more berry sauce on top of each slice when serving. A spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped cream looks and tastes amazing with it. For fancy occasions, arrange fresh berries in rings on top of the cheesecake right before bringing it out. This sweet treat goes really well with dessert wine or coffee.

Keep your cheesecake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. It actually tastes even better after the first 48 hours. You can also freeze single slices by wrapping them tight in plastic wrap followed by foil. They'll stay good frozen for a month and can thaw overnight in your fridge when you're ready for a treat.

A slice of cheesecake with strawberries and blueberries on top. Pin it
A slice of cheesecake with strawberries and blueberries on top. | tasteofmoms.com

Go ahead and try this dreamy cheesecake with whatever berries you love most—it'll wow your guests and become your go-to dessert!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What makes the crust hold together?

Mix melted butter into graham cracker crumbs, then press firmly into the pan. Freeze the base while working on the filling so it firms up nicely.

→ Can frozen berries work for this dish?

Absolutely! Just thaw and drain them. Extra moisture might need a little cornstarch adjustment in the sauce.

→ How do I get my filling super smooth?

Let the cream cheese warm to room temperature. Use an electric or stand mixer to blend everything smoothly without lumps.

→ How much time does it need to chill?

It needs to chill for at least 6-8 hours or stay in the fridge overnight for the best texture.

→ Can I make this a day ahead?

Yes, it’s ideal for early prep. Make it the day before, chill it overnight, and add finishing touches before serving.

→ What can I swap for a springform pan?

No springform pan? Use a pie dish or cake ring. Line it with parchment to make removing the final dish easier.

Easy Berry Delight

A creamy dessert with fresh berries on a buttery crust, made fast without baking.

Prep Time
40 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Sauce

01 113 g raspberries, rinsed well
02 226 g strawberries, hulled, cleaned, and sliced in half
03 113 g blueberries, cleaned
04 3 tablespoons cornstarch
05 150 g white sugar

→ Crust

06 6 tablespoons melted butter, unsalted
07 250 g finely crushed graham crackers (roughly 2 sleeves)

→ Cheesecake

08 Pinch of table salt
09 150 g white sugar
10 680 g cream cheese, fully softened
11 2 teaspoons of vanilla flavoring
12 240 ml chilled heavy whipping cream

→ Garnish (optional)

13 Fresh mixed berries
14 Whipped cream topping

Instructions

Step 01

Process the raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries in a food processor or blender until smooth. Strain the puree through a mesh strainer into a saucepan, throwing out any leftover seeds. Stir in the cornstarch and sugar, then heat over medium, stirring, until it thickens up like jam. This takes around 10-15 minutes. Let it cool completely.

Step 02

Line the inside base of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, toss together melted butter with the graham cracker crumbs until all the crumbs are damp. Press the mixture firmly into the pan's base and slightly up the edges. Put it in the freezer while the next layer is prepared.

Step 03

Grab a stand or hand mixer and beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt on medium until it's super smooth. Separately, whip the cold heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks hold. Fold the cooled berry sauce into your cream cheese mixture, then gently fold in the whipped cream with a spatula until it's evenly mixed.

Step 04

Spread the prepared cheesecake filling over the crust in the pan, smoothing it out with a spatula. Cover tightly and chill in the fridge for 6-8 hours or overnight so it can set properly.

Step 05

Optional: Deck out the top with fresh berries and some whipped cream before digging in.

Notes

  1. Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened so the texture stays silky.
  2. Cool down the sauce before mixing it with the filling—this keeps it from curdling.

Tools You'll Need

  • Food processor or blender
  • Mesh strainer (fine)
  • Small saucepan
  • 9-inch springform baking pan
  • Mixer (stand or hand-held)
  • Silicone scraper
  • Straight spatula for smoothing

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy products like butter, heavy cream, and cream cheese.
  • Has gluten from the graham crackers.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 380
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 6 g