Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe
If you’re anything like me and have a soft spot for blueberry desserts, you’re gonna absolutely fall in love with this Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe. It perfectly blends creamy, tangy cheesecake with juicy fresh blueberries and a buttery, crunchy crumble on top. It’s like a party in your mouth, and I promise, once you make this, it’s going to become your go-to dessert for every special occasion or even just a lazy weekend afternoon treat. So, stick with me—I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to nail this recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: Creamy cheesecake meets the natural tang of fresh blueberries and the subtle sweetness of crumble for a crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Textural Contrast: Crunchy cookie crust and buttery crumble topping offer a delightful contrast to the smooth filling.
- Water Bath Baking Technique: Ensures the cheesecake stays moist and crack-free every time.
- Accessible Ingredients: Uses everyday ingredients you likely already have, with some extra love for fresh blueberries.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe is all about layering textures and flavors. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, and I always recommend using fresh, high-quality items—especially the blueberries and cream cheese—to get the best results.
- Digestive or graham crackers: These create a sturdy, flavorful base that toasts up nicely, adding crunch and a bit of sweetness to the crust.
- Butter: Melts into the crumbs to bind them while adding richness.
- Fresh blueberries: Juicy, slightly tart, and natural to create a fresh burst inside and on top.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust, filling, and blueberry layer—just enough to balance flavors without overpowering.
- All-purpose flour: Adds structure to the crumble topping and helps thicken the blueberry mixture.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the blueberry mix, lifting its flavor beautifully.
- Dark brown sugar: Used in the crumble for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and added moistness.
- Cream cheese (full fat): The star of the cheesecake filling; full fat ensures the rich, velvety texture everyone loves.
- Sour cream (18%): Adds a slight tang and creamy softness which balances the richness.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the filling, giving it a perfect, smooth set.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the overall flavor of the cheesecake.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and provide structure without weighing down the cheesecake.
Tweak to Your Taste
One thing I love about this Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often swap the crumble topping for chopped nuts or even add a splash of lemon zest to the filling for a brighter pop of flavor. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—it’s all about what you enjoy most!
- Gluten-free option: Try using gluten-free crackers for the crust and gluten-free flour in the crumble—still delicious, I’ve tested it and it works well!
- Seasonal berry swap: Replace blueberries with raspberries or blackberries for a slightly different twist.
- Less sweet: If you prefer your desserts less sugary, reduce the granulated sugar by about 20%—it won’t compromise texture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe
Step 1: Create the Perfect Cookie Crust
First up, preheat your oven to 160ºC (325ºF). Crush those digestive or graham crackers into fine crumbs—using a food processor is a total game-changer here; it saves you from doing it by hand and gets that perfect sand-like texture. Mix in the sugar, then add melted butter and pulse together until the mixture sticks when pressed. Press the crust firmly into your springform pan, making sure it’s even and packed tightly along the bottom and sides—this is key for a firm base that holds together when you slice the cheesecake. Bake it for about 10 minutes and then let it cool to touch. Keep your oven on, we’ll need that heat soon!
Step 2: Prep the Juicy Blueberries and Crumble Topping
While the crust is baking, stir fresh blueberries with some sugar, flour, and a little lemon juice. This combo thickens the blueberries when baked so they don’t sog your crust but still give that fresh burst of flavor. For the crumble topping, combine flour and dark brown sugar, then pour warm melted butter over and mix with a fork until it forms crumbly bits. Trust me, this is the final touch that adds a golden crunch that I can’t get enough of.
Step 3: Whip Up the Smooth Cheesecake Filling
Next, beat the room-temperature cream cheese until super smooth on low speed—this helps avoid lumps. Mix in sugar and scrape the bowl sides regularly; it’s tempting to speed things up but patience here makes the texture heavenly. Blend in the sour cream and cornstarch combo along with the vanilla extract, then add eggs two at a time, mixing gently. Overmixing can add air which causes cracks and bubbles, so keep it slow and steady—I’ll remind you because I learned this one the hard way!
Step 4: Assemble and Bake with Care
Pour your smoothly blended filling right over the cooled crust. Distribute the blueberry mixture evenly over the top, then sprinkle the crumble topping across generously. Now, here comes a pro tip: place your springform pan inside a larger roasting pan, then fill the bigger pan with hot water halfway up the sides to form a water bath. This little trick keeps the cheesecake moist and crack-free. If you’re worried about leaks, wrap the springform pan in triple layers of foil. Bake for about 1 hour and 20-30 minutes—look for a gentle wobble in the center when you jiggle the pan.
Step 5: Cool and Let It Set Properly
Once baked, turn off the oven, leave the door slightly ajar, and let the cheesecake cool inside for about an hour. This slow cooling prevents cracks. Then move it to a rack at room temperature for another hour. Don’t skip this step! Finally, pop it into the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight—this chilling time is essential for the texture to fully set and the flavors to meld.
Pro Tips for Making Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It makes blending smoother and prevents lumps in your cheesecake filling.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing adds air bubbles and can cause cracks during baking—slow and steady wins this race.
- Water Bath for Moisture: It’s a secret weapon to prevent cracking and keep cheesecake creamy.
- Patience with Cooling: Rushing out of the oven can cause shrinkage or cracks, so let your cheesecake cool gradually.
How to Serve Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this cheesecake with a few fresh blueberries and a sprig of fresh mint for that extra pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I add a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving—it’s a small touch but makes it look irresistible. If you’re serving to grown-ups, a drizzle of lemon glaze or a splash of blueberry sauce takes it to the next level.
Side Dishes
Blueberry cheesecake is a dessert star on its own, but if you want to keep the party going, a cup of strong coffee or a fruity iced tea pairs beautifully. For festive occasions, I like to serve it alongside a simple mixed berry salad—light, refreshing, and it echoes the blueberry flavors without competing.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite ways to present this cheesecake is by making mini versions in little springform pans or even mason jars. They’re adorable, perfect for parties, and make portion control easy. You can also make a blueberry swirl inside the batter before baking for a fun marbled effect that wows guests every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After it’s fully chilled, I tightly cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It keeps wonderfully for up to 4 days, and honestly, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Just make sure it’s well wrapped to avoid it picking up any fridge odors.
Freezing
If I’m making the cheesecake ahead for a crowd, I’ve frozen it successfully. Wrap it tightly with both plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator—this helps keep its creamy texture intact.
Reheating
Cheesecake is best served cold, so I don’t recommend reheating. Just let frozen portions thaw fully in the fridge, and if you want, let them come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to bring out the flavors.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen blueberries in this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and drain them well before mixing with sugar and flour to prevent excess moisture from making your crust soggy. Using fresh blueberries does give a brighter flavor and firmer texture, but frozen works in a pinch.
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What does the water bath do for the cheesecake?
The water bath helps the cheesecake bake gently and evenly by regulating the oven temperature around it. This moist heat prevents cracking and makes the texture silky and smooth rather than dense or dry.
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How do I avoid cracks on my cheesecake?
Use room temperature ingredients, mix the filling gently, bake with a water bath, and allow the cheesecake to cool slowly with the oven door ajar. These steps reduce sudden temperature changes or air bubbles that lead to cracks.
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Can I make this cheesecake gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute gluten-free crackers for the crust and use gluten-free flour for the blueberry mixture and crumble topping. Be sure to check labels and adjust baking times if necessary.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe has quickly become one of my all-time favorite desserts because it brings so much joy with every bite. It’s comforting yet elegant, and the homemade crumble on top adds that extra bit of magic I didn’t know I was missing. I hope you’ll try making it soon—and trust me, it’s worth carving out the time. Once you do, you’ll be handing out slices to friends and family like a dessert superhero!
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Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Blueberry Crumble Cheesecake features a crunchy cookie crust, a luscious cream cheese filling, fresh blueberries, and a buttery crumble topping. Baked in a water bath to ensure creamy texture, this dessert is perfect for any special occasion or a delightful treat.
Ingredients
COOKIE CRUST
- 250 g digestive or graham crackers
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 75 g butter
BLUEBERRIES
- 300 g fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
CRUMBLE
- 110 g all-purpose flour
- 80 g dark brown sugar
- 70 g butter
CHEESECAKE
- 800 g full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 260 g granulated sugar
- 200 g sour cream 18%, room temperature
- 1 ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 160ºC (325ºF) conventional. Line a 23 cm (9 inch) springform pan with parchment paper at the bottom. In a food processor, blend the digestive or graham crackers with granulated sugar until fine crumbs form. Melt the butter and add it to the crumbs, blending again until combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the springform pan using the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10 minutes, then let it cool to touch, keeping the oven on.
- Prepare blueberries and crumble: In a small bowl, mix blueberries with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and lemon juice until no dry flour remains. Set aside. In another bowl, combine all-purpose flour and dark brown sugar. Melt the butter and pour over the flour mixture, mixing with a fork until it forms a crumbly texture without dry flour. Set aside.
- Make the cheesecake filling: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until creamy. Add granulated sugar and mix for an additional minute on low. Scrape down the bowl sides and mix 30 more seconds. In a small bowl, whisk sour cream and cornstarch until smooth, then add to the cream cheese mixture along with vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until combined. Add eggs two at a time, mixing after each addition until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and mix briefly to ensure all ingredients are combined.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust. Evenly distribute the blueberry mixture atop the batter, then sprinkle the crumble on top. Boil water in a kettle. Place the springform pan inside a 30 cm (12 inch) cake pan, then place the cake pan inside a larger roasting pan and fill it with hot water to create a water bath. Alternatively, wrap the springform pan with triple layers of aluminum foil to prevent leaks before placing it in the water bath. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cheesecake should still be slightly wobbly in the center when done.
- Cool and set: Turn off the oven and prop the door slightly open. Let the cheesecake cool inside the oven for 1 hour. Remove from the water bath and transfer to a cooling rack, letting it cool to room temperature for about 1 hour. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, before serving.
Notes
- For best results, weigh ingredients with a digital scale instead of relying on cup measurements.
- Be sure to wrap the springform pan thoroughly if using the water bath method to avoid water leakage.
- The cheesecake should remain slightly jiggly in the center after baking to achieve a creamy texture.
- Allowing the cake to cool slowly in the oven helps prevent cracks.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for the creamiest texture.
- Fresh blueberries can be substituted with frozen ones if thawed and drained well.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg