Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

This stunning Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake recipe features layers of graham cracker crust, no-bake white chocolate cheesecake, and sweet strawberry cake frosting. Then, we top it off with a wafer cookie crumble for flavor and extra crunch!

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If you thought regular strawberry shortcake was delicious, just wait until you try this indulgent combination of white chocolate cheesecake and strawberry cake! The layers stick together thanks to a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting that’s just as delicious and it is pretty.

Once assembled, the cake is topped with a mixture of crumbled wafer cookies and leftover cake from the leveled layers. That’s right, nothing goes to waste in this dessert!

Enjoy this strawberry shortcake cheesecake for holidays, Valentine’s Day, birthday parties, baby showers, or just when you want something sweet. It looks and tastes gourmet but is really easy to make!

cross section of strawberry shortcake cheesecake sitting on a white round cake plate.

Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Recipe

The thought of a classic shortcake recipe is enough to have anybody’s mouth-watering. However, we made it even better with this recipe! Paired with white chocolate cheesecake, a buttery graham cracker crust, and strawberry frosting, it’s truly out of this world.

The layer of frozen white chocolate cheesecake between frosted strawberry cakes instantly takes this dessert to the next level. I’ve also included sliced strawberries into the cheesecake filling for good measure! The pretty pink crumbled topping completes the look while offering an extra bite of crunchy texture, too.

Serve your strawberry shortcake cheesecake on its own. Or, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries, much like my Pound Cake with Fruit and Whipped Cream recipe!

Ingredients for Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Cheesecake crust – This consists of Graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar. You can easily make your own graham cracker crumbs by pulsing graham cracker sheets in a food processor!
Cheesecake filling – This consists of Cool Whip, softened cream cheese, melted white chocolate chips, and fresh strawberries.
Strawberry cake – Combine cake mix, eggs, water, and oil.
Frosting – Cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and pink food coloring (if desired).
Crumble topping – This consists of crumbled wafer cookies and crumbled cake tops.

Variations

Use vanilla wafer cookies if you can’t find strawberry wafer cookies. Then, mix in a small amount of pink food coloring to give the crumbled cookies a pretty pink hue.
Top the assembled cake with freshly whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Freeze-dried strawberries are another great option!
For a different look, omit the pink food coloring from the frosting.
You can use white cake mix with a small amount of pink food coloring if you don’t have strawberry cake mix.
Strawberry extract can be added to the cake mix for a stronger strawberry flavor. It can also be added to the frosting.
Use gluten-free cake mix and wafer cookies to keep this recipe gluten-free.

large white mixing bowl with strawberry frosting.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

Cheesecake crust: Line the bottom of a 9″ springform pan with a 9″ parchment circle. Combine the crust ingredients in a bowl until well blended. Then, press the crust mixture into the bottom of the springform cake pan, and set it aside.
Cheesecake filling: Combine the Cool Whip and softened cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer until thick and creamy. Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Pour the melted chocolate into the cheesecake mixture, and blend quickly. Gently fold in the strawberries.
Freeze the cheesecake base: Pour the cheesecake filling over the Graham cracker crust, spreading it out evenly. Cover the cheesecake, and place it in the freezer to chill while you continue with the recipe.
Bake the cake layer: Combine the cake batter ingredients, and divide the batter between two round cake pans. Bake the cake halves for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Then, flip them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar with an electric hand mixer until smooth and thick. Add a few drops of pink food coloring if you’d like pink frosting!
Make the crumble topping: Crumble all of the wafer cookies into small pieces in a large mixing bowl. Cut the tops off each cake to make them flat and level. Then, crumble those cake tops into the bowl along with the crumbled wafer cookies.
Assemble the shortcake cheesecake: Place one of the cake layers on a cake stand, and spread 1/4 cup of frosting over the top. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer. Gently remove the cheesecake from the springform, making sure that the parchment bottom is left behind. Place the entire cheesecake on top of the first layer of frosted cake. Next, place the second cake layer on top of the cheesecake. Frost the top and the entire outside of the cake.
Garnish and serve: Press the crumble topping into the top of the cake, covering it entirely. Then, slice, and enjoy!

close up image of a slice of cake taken out of strawberry shortcake cheesecake.

Quick Tip

To prepare in advance, make the cheesecake, and store it in the frdige or freezer. Then, prepare the strawberry cake, and store it in a separate airtight container. To serve, assemble the cake, add the wager topping, and enjoy!

How to Store Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

Leftover strawberry shortcake cheesecake must be stored in an airtight container in the fridge due to all of the dairy-based ingredients. The cake should last for up to a week, although the crunchy crumble topping may lose some of its crunch over time.

You can also store this shortcake cheesecake in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, and serve chilled.

FAQs

Is strawberry shortcake a cake or a biscuit?

This depends on the recipe. Some make strawberry shortcakes with a biscuit-like base, like this Bisquick strawberry shortcake recipe. Meanwhile, others use true cake and add a crumbly cookie topping.

Can I chill the cheesecake layer instead of freezing it?

I recommend freezing the no-bake cheesecake layer to give it greater structure. This allows it to easily hold the weight of the top layer of cake and toppings with crumbling.

Why is it called shortcake?

The old English cooking definition of “short” refers to something that has been made crisp as a result of adding fat to it. This strawberry shortcake cheesecake has a crunchy crumbly topping and delicious fat from the cream cheese frosting and the cheesecake layer!