This rich, creamy cheesecake is baked over a buttery Ritz cracker crust, then topped with fresh fruit jams. It is sure to wow and delight!
Well, who does not like cheesecake?! I know it is the New Year and everyone has “vowed” to loose the pounds...and even though we have all silently taken this “vow” together, we must still enjoy some pleasures of life.
I saw the unused cream cheese in the refrigerator. It was to become a cheesecake sometime during the holidays. Oh, I do want to loose the extra holiday pounds and I have been working out with Jane, you girls in my age group know who Jane is. She is much less brutal these days.
Well, in true form, I must transform this cream cheese into a cheesecake. I decided to make a lightened version of the recipe. One will not feel quite as guilty; after all life should still be fun and delicious.
Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry and Kiwi Sauce
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 tbs. sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 3-4 tbs. butter
For the Cheesecake:
- 2 - 8 oz. bars of cream cheese
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. baking powder
Fresh Strawberry Fruit Topping:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Fresh Kiwi Fruit Topping:
- 1 cup fresh Kiwis, sliced
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the crust in a food processor and process until smooth.
- Press into a 9 inch pie dish a bake for about 10 minutes; then let cool.
For the Cheesecake:
- Combine all of the ingredients for the cheese cake in a mix-master and blend until smooth.
- Fill the pie dish with the mixture.
- Bake for about 30 minutes. Let the cake cool on a rack; when the cake is cooled then place in the refrigerator covered.
For Fruit Toppings & Coconut:
- In a small sauce pan cook down the strawberries, cornstarch, sugar and lemon juice until a thick, syrupy consistency forms.
- Repeat the same process for the kiwis.
- Allow the fruit toppings to cool before refrigerating. Chill until ready to serve the cheesecake.
- On a lined baking sheet, toast the shredded coconut flakes until golden. Sprinkle over cheesecake before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Enjoy with Love,
Catherine
xo
June Burns says
Wow that looks just divine! Love the sauce you topped it with, sounds very delicious 🙂
Louise says
Oh yes, I know who Jane is Catherine. I haven't been working out with her but I have been getting on the treadmill when ever possible. Little by little I find is the best way to restart, lol...
I do have a weakness for cheesecake but it is the Ritz Cracker crsut in this recipe that would be my complete downfall. I can eat the stuff by the spoonful without it ever making it into the crust, lol...
I love the way you have "tossed" this cheesecake together, no fuss no muss just plain ol' deliciousness with a lot less guilt. When Marion is feeling better, I have made a list of things I want to make for her. She keeps saying "you only live once" as she compiles the list. (she isn't suppose to have too much dairy:) I'll make her a mini:)
Thanks for sharing, Catherine...It is going to be one tasty year!!!
sandie says
That looks so good - love strawberries and kiwi's!
Esther B says
Il est vraiment gourmand ce cheesecake!!!
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
I like the way you think, Catherine, that we must still enjoy the pleasures of life! This looks absolutely amazing, so I will pin it and not feel guilty at all when I try it 🙂
grazia says
Wonderful this cheese cake..
I want try to prepare it..
Love
Grazia
Dottie Sauchelli Balin says
Dear Catherine,
Fabulous Cheesecake and you are correct, who doesn't love cheesecake? I also know who Jane is and I have a few of her tapes. Can't do them anymore due to my Lupus and MS, but I used to follow her religiously. Have you seen her lately, she looks amazing! Getting back to the cheesecake. I really love the idea of the jam on top, especially the Kiwi. I love that little green piece of fruit. Was wondering did you put toasted coconut around the edge of the cake? It looks like you did, but it isn't on your recipe. I think that may be from your photo that is what it looks like to me. I love this idea as well. Another dimension for texture and flavor. Just beautiful and you are correct, you need to treat yourself once in a while. Thank you for sharing this with us. Have a fun weekend dear friend!
Dottie 🙂
Cakelaw says
I adore cheesecake, and this one looks fabulous.
Rebecka says
This cheesecake looks great, so creamy.
tanna says
Strawberry, kiwi and coconut... making me dream of an island reprieve from this cold... =) blessings ~ tanna
kitchen flavours says
Divine looking cheesecake! Both the fresh fruit sauces looks so yummy topping the cheesecake.
Happy New Year, Catherine!
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, Who does not like cheesecake? Me... On the other hand, my wife loves cheesecake and as pretty as this is with those beautiful fruit sauces, she'd be delighted to have a slice with some coffee! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
AnnMarie says
This sounds luscious! Now if I can only figure out a way to make only one slice! A guilty pleasure to have one, but I will eat the whole pie!
Comedy Plus says
This looks really good. I only took a small slice.
Have a fabulous day Catherine. Big hugs. 🙂
Ginny Hartzler says
Yum!! The Ritz crust looks so good that I could eat that just alone by itself!
peps@pepi's kitchen says
Looks like spring is coming!!!
I love cheesecakes!!
Rose says
Looks amazing! I vowed to lose a few pounds until I saw this! LOL Huggggggggggggggggggs, Rose
Chiara says
delicious recipe Catherine,may I have a little slice? have a good weekend, blessings, xoxo
Victoria says
Would have never thought to use Ritz crackers in the crust, but I LOVE it and would definitely try it in the future. The strawberry and kiwi flavors here rock. Well done 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
What a gorgeous and unusual cake --- I could slurp up that sauce with a spoon!
Choc Chip Uru says
Delicious cheesecake recipe, who doesn't adore strawberry and kiwi together! 😀
So creamy!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
speedy70 says
E' la mia cheesecake preferita.....Mamma mia quanto è invitante, bravissima!!!!
TexWisGirl says
my goodness. i think even 'jane' would be sitting down with a fork and a big plate. 🙂
Adita says
te ha quedado, con una pinta estupenda, y seguro que de un sabor de 10, besos
Irene E. says
I adore cheesecakes!! So fresh, so tasty!!!! I'm coming with my plate and fork! Even you're so far!!!
Happy New Year, Catherine!
Jerry E. Beuterbaugh says
YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY FOR MY TUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
I'm with you on this, we must all have treats indeed. This cheesecake looks lovely and light, I love the combination of fruits on top. Yum! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Gabriel Reynoso says
My name is Gabriel and I'm a 45 year old man and when I'm having a bad day or I'm stress out I bake to relax and I came across this recipe I had to give it a go all my friends call me the baking gangsta but this recipe is truly a gourmet dessert but instead of Ritz crackers I used vanilla wafers.