Name: Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp red food coloring; 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk; 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened); 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp white vinegar; Pinch of salt; 2 packages (8 oz / 226g each) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream; 1/2 cup (125g) pureed fresh strawberries or thawed frozen strawberries; Optional: 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch to help stabilize; 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream; 2 tbsp powdered sugar; 1/4 cup strawberry puree or 2 tbsp strawberry jam; Optional: Cream cheese frosting instead

Why Make This Recipe

Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake is a delightful twist on two classic desserts. It combines the rich, velvety texture of red velvet cake with a creamy strawberry cheesecake filling, creating a dessert that everyone will love. Whether for a special occasion or a casual gathering, this cake is sure to impress your friends and family. The vibrant colors and fresh fruit flavors make it a perfect centerpiece for any dessert table.

🧰 Kitchen tools commonly used in similar recipes

Before starting, many home cooks like to have these basic tools ready:

How to Make Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake

Ingredients

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp red food coloring
1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp white vinegar
Pinch of salt
2 packages (8 oz / 226g each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (120g) sour cream
1/2 cup (125g) pureed fresh strawberries or thawed frozen strawberries
Optional: 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch to help stabilize
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1/4 cup strawberry puree or 2 tbsp strawberry jam
Optional: Cream cheese frosting instead

Directions

Make the Red Velvet Cake Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, oil, egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until smooth. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix vinegar into the buttermilk, then add the flour and buttermilk mixtures to the wet ingredients in batches. Pour this mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Strawberry Cheesecake Layer: Lower the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C). In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add vanilla extract, eggs, sour cream, and strawberry puree to the mixture. If desired, you can add flour or cornstarch for stability. Pour this cheesecake layer over the cooled red velvet cake and bake for 50-60 minutes.
Let the cheesecake cool, then refrigerate it for several hours or overnight to set.
For the Strawberry Whipped Topping or Frosting: In a bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and strawberry puree until soft peaks form. Once the cheesecake is chilled, top it with the whipped cream before serving.

How to Serve Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake

Slice the cheesecake into pieces and serve it chilled. You can garnish each slice with fresh strawberries or a drizzle of strawberry puree for a lovely presentation.

How to Store Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake

Store any leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator. Cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

Tips to Make Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake

Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to avoid lumps.
When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, don’t overmix; just blend until combined.
Let the cheesecake cool completely before refrigerating; this helps with texture.

Variation

You can add chocolate chips to the cheesecake layer for an extra chocolatey flavor or use other fruit purees like raspberry or blueberry instead of strawberry.

FAQs

Can I use a different color for the cake?
Yes! You can use any food coloring you like, but red is traditional for red velvet cake.
How long does it take to make this cheesecake?
The total time is about 2-3 hours, including baking and cooling, plus several hours in the fridge.
Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?
Absolutely! It’s great to make this cheesecake a day before your event to give it plenty of time to chill and set.