No Bake Strawberry Brain Cheesecake (Printable)
Spooky no-bake strawberry brain dessert with creamy filling and cookie crust
# What You Need:
→ Crust
01 - 7 oz graham crackers or digestive biscuits
02 - 2.6 oz unsalted butter, melted
→ Strawberry Layer
03 - 14 oz fresh strawberries, hulled
04 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
05 - 2 tbsp water
06 - 2 tsp gelatin powder or vegetarian gelatin substitute
→ Cheesecake Filling
07 - 14 oz cream cheese, room temperature
08 - 3.5 oz powdered sugar
09 - 0.85 cup heavy cream
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Brain Decoration
11 - 7 oz white chocolate, melted
12 - Pink gel food coloring (optional)
13 - Extra strawberry coulis or red berry sauce
# How To Make:
01 - Line a brain-shaped silicone mold or medium oval bowl with plastic wrap to prepare for assembly.
02 - Crush graham crackers finely and combine with melted butter. Press mixture into the base of the mold for an even layer. Refrigerate.
03 - Blend strawberries with granulated sugar until smooth. Heat 2 tbsp water, sprinkle gelatin over and let bloom 5 minutes, then warm until dissolved. Stir gelatin into strawberry puree and set aside to cool to room temperature.
04 - Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Whip heavy cream separately to soft peaks, then fold into cream cheese with vanilla. Pour in cooled strawberry gelatin mixture and fold together until uniform.
05 - Pour strawberry cheesecake filling into the mold over the crust. Smooth the top. Chill for at least 5 hours or until fully set.
06 - Melt white chocolate and color with pink food gel if desired. Pour into piping bag and pipe brain squiggles on parchment-lined baking sheet; chill to set. Carefully unmold cheesecake and decorate with chocolate squiggles to resemble brain folds. Drizzle with strawberry coulis or red berry sauce for a gory effect.
07 - Slice and serve chilled.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The creamy strawberry filling is irresistibly smooth despite its ghoulish appearance
- You can make the entire thing ahead of time and just add the final touches before serving
02 -
- Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable here
- The chocolate decoration needs to be completely firm before you try moving it onto the cake
03 -
- Freeze-dried strawberry powder intensifies the flavor without adding extra liquid
- A small offset spatula is your best friend for smoothing the filling into those brain crevices