Strawberry Refrigerator Cheesecake
Still on a dessert spree. Looks like main course has deserted my blog. Some more strawberries mean some more sweet somethings. 
We had quiche for lunch & chicken pie, as a result of which I’ve had just about enough of eggs, & was looking for anything eggless to make, & with strawberries. Electricity has been disappearing every alternate hour at will, so an important criteria was something not baked. 
A few days ago a local blogger Nachiketa called me to check about the chocolate yogurt cake. She’s a chirpy young thing, full of beans & has the ‘get up & go’ to bake after she comes back from work late every evening. She’s forever baking cakes from here & there, & has infectious levels of excitement. It isn’t rare to get a call from her at 9 pm asking what to substitute for what … she’s just about to begin baking, whereas we’ve done dinner + dessert, & the kids are being packed off to bed!) LOL!! 
She mentioned she made some yummy cheesecake a while ago, & was good enough to mail me the recipe the same night. What I made is inspired from her recipe, & a bit from The Le Cordon Bleu’s The Cook’s Bible, which also has a similar cheesecake. I’m glad to have Nachiketa on hand because local experience is invaluable in India. We get hardly anything that is standard here, & are forever improvising…often fun , but can be quite disastrous at times!
STRAWBERRY REFRIGERATOR CHEESECAKEAs adapted from Nachiketa’s recipe
Ingredients:
Biscuit base
200gms Marie biscuits (1 packet); or digestives
2 tsps granular sugar
50 gms melted butter
Filling:
400ms Curd Cheese (approx) – from 1kg of yogurt hung for 24 hours
250ml Cream (25% fat)
4-5 tbsps Castor sugar (to taste)
2 tbsp Gelatin
200gms Strawberries (reserve a couple for topping if you like)
1 tsp Strawberry essence – ( optional)
Method:
For biscuit base
- Run the granulated sugar & biscuits in the processor till fine crumbs for; or put into a thick bag & crush with a rolling pin.
- Mix in melted butter, & press this mixture into the base of a spring form 8″ baking tin. Chill for 30 minutes.
Filling:
- Sprinkle the gelatin on approx 1/4 cup of water, & then leave the bowl to stand in another bowl of hot water till the gelatin melts, & become a clear liquid. (about 10 minutes).
- Run the curd cheese, hulled strawberries, sugar & essence in the processor till smooth. (You can chop a few strawberries & add them in the end if you like having pieces of fruit in your cheesecake.)
- Add the clear gelatin & process for a few seconds until mixed uniformly.
- Whip the cream to soft peaks & fold into the above. Taste & adjust sugar if required.
- Take biscuit case out of fridge, & pour the filling in. Leave to set in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours, maybe more in the summer.
- I would have liked to make a mirror topping, but ran out of strawberries. Can’t wait for summer to be here to make a mango version of this yummy no-bake cheesecake.
Something coincided with my no bake cheesecake. Have held a DIY table-top lighting project on my bursting folder of things to do, for ages. Actually in Sep ’08, when the merry bandits @ Jugalbandi posted this DIY post for table-top lighting, I bookmarked it for DH to make. But flights & fog have kept him far too busy for my never ending requests. 
The other day I thought I would pass it on to my Dad to make because he was feeling bored. The cricket matches were yet to begin, & he was getting impatient to do something. He loves carpentry & working with electricity, & is a through & through DIY man. Working on the project made him a happy man indeed, & the pictures taken, even happier. And yes, I did share the cheesecake with him! The pictures aren’t the best result yet, as I used 60W bulbs instead of 100W ones…
…but since this is my first click on something out & out inspirational from Jugalbandi, & has curd cheese within, it is my entry for this CLICK: February 2009. (Cheese/Tofu). 
Just a happy coincidence that it has ‘cheese’, as well as many bloggy DIY sentiments attached to it. Thank you Jai & Bee!
This would make a nice, quick no-bake dessert for Valentines Day… maybe you can try it!This post featured on
Watsonville, CA (January 13, 2009) – The California Strawberry Commission today announced the availability of the free “STRAWBERRIES” mobile app for iPhone and iPod Touch users featuring more than 50 mouth-watering strawberry recipes from some of the most popular food bloggers and chefs from around the web. Individually selected for that “wow” factor, these recipes will inspire families, foodies, cooks, the health conscious and strawberry lovers everywhere to get even more creative with strawberries.iPhone and iPod touch users can now access different strawberry recipes complete with vivid food photography and step-by-step directions to create that special dish for those around you. The free app neatly categorizes recipes under Snacks & Appetizers, Breakfast, Cocktails, Main Courses, Salads and Sweets. Recipes range from traditional favorites, such as shortcakes and pies to more exotic dishes like strawberry dumplings, salsa and ceviche.Individual recipes can be shared with friends, family and online networks by simply posting the recipe to Facebook or Twitter with the click of a button. Recipes can also be emailed to anyone for viewing or printing.AvailabilityThe Strawberries app for the iPhone and iPod touch is available immediately as a free download at the Apple iTunes Store. Click here to download: http://bit.ly/8LANJo
Don’t miss a post 
Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
63 Comments
Rosie
Oh Deeba this is one very divine cheesecake and so fitting for Valentine’s Day. I love the colour so pretty and the photos are beautiful.
Rosie x
Elra
Seems like we both in the mood of strawberry dessert! My son really like cheese cake, and I am sure he’ll like yours too. Eggless=guiltless, I like that!
Cheers,
Elra
Asha
Looks perfect and easy too! V day came early there! :))
Komal-Nishka
Deeba, looks really nice and the pictures just yummmy perfect.. 🙂
I do have an easier eggless no bake cheesecake recipe that tastes brilliant and needs just 5 minutes..
Will try writing about it shortly and you must try.. 🙂
Helene
Yummy! It’s so nice that you take the time to take all of these great pictures.
Gera @ SweetsFoods
Deeba, what a lavish strawberry dessert specially so important eggless..the colors are gorgeous!! You’ve a magical touch for the cuisine and the photos are glorious 🙂
All the best!
Gera
Gloria
WOW Deeba!!!! look absolutely wonderful and nice I love the strawberries colour and I love cheesecake!!!!Lovely!!!! (Love your poictures I always tell you)LOL Gloria
Maria
Lovely recipe! It looks like the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert.
Elenka
What a gorgeous color pink. I’ll try this for Valentine’s day !
Laurie
This looks so light and luscious! All your dishes and recipes are always perfect.. but I think I can enjoy just the sweets for awhile too!
The Blonde Duck
I totally agree with the quote at the top! And this looks perfect for V-day!
Manggy
Are you kidding me? The pics are fab. The cheesecake looks glorious (though I dunno how the no-electricity situation would help its being chilled, lol). Great job!
Maria Jose
Ummm esta tarta tiene que estar muy muy buena, la copio porque pienso hacerla…y las fotos son preciosas
Aparna
Beautiful cheesecake. I am also on a strawberry roll! Still have a whole lot in the fridge. Thoug we don’t have the poewrcuts.:)
I also make cheesecake somewhat this way, but without the gelatin.
Anonymous
Hai,
Indiasmash is a user edited bookmark source for News related to India which is very fast updating in google, yahoo, msn.
Use this website for your bookmarks and increase the traffic and popularity for your website.
noble pig
Oh how you tempt me with this..there is something about pink dessert that trancends me. It’s beautiful Deeba.
Maris
Sounds very refreshing…and makes me wish it were strawberry season!
Sara
This is so pretty, love the bright pink color!
Indiasmash
Hai,
Indiasmash is a user edited bookmark source for News related to India which is very fast updating in google, yahoo, msn.
Use this website for your bookmarks and increase the traffic and popularity for your website.
lisa (dandysugar)
This is so lovely Deeba! The color and texture are so enticing and yummy. I love the fact that it’s eggless too. A perfect Valentine’s Day treat!
Vera
Gorgeous cake, perfect for any occasion!
Purnima
Deeba, when our good old hung yoghurt gives such lovely end result.. I feel elated as the cheese we get here is mostly salted ones..the German cream cheese is high priced 🙁 Thanks to you n Nachiketa..this cake looks yum and u hv done it sooooo beautifully not a bubble on it..smooth surface, neatly cut, just perfect piece!! Wow..with DIY or without, ur pics r gorgeous n drool-extractors! Loved it a lot!
Kitchen Flavours
Wow awesome color and no bake makes me set…. Love to try this soon dear.
Navita
U must be picking at ur dinner Deeba…(u always say u dislike eggs)…lol…
love the pink hue…almost like the cake is blushing! 🙂
Mary
This is why i love to come visit you , i find really delicious desserts…and hints for what i want to make for my birfhday , thanks. Cheers!
Bellini Valli
Roll on summer Deeba. I love the violas and other reminders of Spring…and summer:D
Happy cook
I love this cake, it is one of my favourite from the bakers, never made them home.
These ones look so yummy delicious.
Laila
Looks really delicious … Laila .. http://limeandlemon.wordpress.com
Darius T. Williams
Now really – there’s NO WAY you can go wrong with this – really, no way at all – looks amazing.
bindiya
AWESOME PICS!Looks simply out of the world, waiting for an entry for my event toooo….:)do participate….
Núria
Deeba, I would never ever get tired to watch your beautiful pictures!!! How on earth could you choose just one for Click? How many “hours” took you to decide which one was better?
I don’t like cheese… but this cake is just precious 😀
Ben
No eggs and no baking? My friend your blog is taking a whole new direction. I hope you don’t forget about the power of baking soda 😀
Dragon
Again you, tease me with these lovely strawberries. 🙂 Did you save me a slice of this lovely cake?
DEESHA
looks delish .. I wish my hubby made these for me on valentine’s day
Hanaâ
Great pictures, Deeba. Very inviting.
The no-bake cheesecake concept is very European. What I like most about them is the light texture (not calories :o)). When I made something similar I used a sponge cake instead of a crust. But if you want to keep it eggless, the crust is definitely a good idea.
Take care,
Hanaa
KathyB.
Oh my goodness ! I am making this! After seeing your name in Noble Pig’s comments for quite some time now, and seeing we very often read her at the same time, I decided ( FINALLY ! ) to check out your blog. I am not a foodie but my Hubby is and I don’t think I’ll show him your blog… because then he will never get off the computer unless he is in the kitchen whipping up some of your recipes….hey…maybe I WILL make sure he reads your blog!
Cynthia
It is too early in the morning for me to be tortured this way.
Nicisme
Gorgeous colour! That last photo for click is beautiful!
n33ma
Deeba you have amazing talent -baking photography and writing.
Bunny
Deeba this is beautiful!! Seriously outstanding!!
Gigi
I can’t wait for strawberries to come into season here! This will definitely be bookmarked for hot summer days ahead!
PS do you think I could substitute cream cheese or cottage cheese for the curd?
Arfi Binsted
At the time we’ve finished our strawberries, you come up with a fresh bunch hehehe… this looks lovely, Deeba.
How To Eat A Cupcake
Mmmmmmmmmm!!
Irene
Wow, this looks absolutely delicious, and no bake – awesome! Especially for summer in LA when you have to be crazy to turn on your oven. 🙂 Thank you!
Amanda
Wow this looks divine and your photos are stunning!!
Val
WOW that looks good! How did you know I was looking for something light & a little healthier than a standard cheesecake? Can't wait to try this & anxious to see your mango version.
Your recipes & photographs are terrific. Thank you for sharing them with us. ;o}
Kevin
That cheesecake look so good!
chuck
Pass me a plate please. Cheesecake is a weakness of mine. The strawberries add a beautiful color. Yummy!
Raaga
I bought another box of strawberries last evening… so this is perfect 🙂
pigpigscorner
A perfect valentine’s day dessert! Looks really delicious!
diva
awww this is so pretty and i bet it tastes wonderful as well. the plating is just lovely. i’m thinking of getting a creme lipgloss in just that shade! 🙂 x
workhard
The pictures are so good, i can almost smell it….
if i were to make that on valentines day, i would have to have it all by myself, not a bad idea 🙂
Work from home
binod
look for dessert recipes you can make in slow cookers. There are lots of them.
Work From Home
Vibha
Thats a lovely cake recipe. just wanted to know if i can avoid using gelatin and substitute with something else?? kindly let me know .
Thanks ,
Vibha
Vandana
That indeed looks yummy. Aparna, you mentioned that you make this cake without the Gelatin. Cn you put some light on this. how you exactly make this cheesecake without the Gelatin? Does it stand firm?
Nachiketa
The pictures make it look like the most divine this on earth…..
Here's the orange and strawberry I did… 'Cheesecake ~ God's Way of Blessing Us'
The Variable – Nachiketa
Sylvia
These cheesecake looks amazing. So easy, too! We have a new year's party tonight and I'm definitely going to make it! YUM!
-Sylvia
Padrons
faithy, the baker
wow! looks so good! i love the strawberries and i love pink! 🙂
Wicked Sunny
Hi
Love your recipe except the gelatin part.
I am barred from eating both gelatin and eggs, so exactly what should I use instead as a substitute?
Sunny
Jessica
Love your blog! Came across it on foodbuzz & am a new follower!
– Jessica @ http://cajunlicious.com
Rithika
Loved your recipe ! I had made a strawberry cheesecake a few years back which came out really well. It was simple and it had smashed paneer in it additional to the above ingredients in your recipe. I lost the recipe and I am happy that I found yours !
Im going to try today! Excited ! Drool !
Janani
Hi, just wanted to know if the gelatin would set if we use fresh strawberries….. do we need to stew them?