Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe
If you’ve been hunting for the ultimate dessert to wow your friends or just treat yourself, this Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe is your answer. It’s creamy, dreamy, and perfectly balanced with a buttery cookie crust, juicy blueberries, and a golden crumble that adds that irresistible crunch. Trust me, once you try making this, you’ll want to serve it on every special occasion—because it’s fan-freaking-tastic.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The creamy cheesecake and tart blueberries are offset beautifully by the sweet, crunchy crumble.
- Trusted Techniques: Water bath baking prevents cracks and ensures a silky smooth texture every time.
- Textural Contrast: Each bite gives you crumbly crust, juicy berries, creamy filling, and crunchy topping—pure joy!
- Easy-to-Follow Steps: Clear instructions and helpful tips make it achievable, even if you’re new to cheesecake baking.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic in this Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe comes down to how the ingredients play off each other — from the buttery cookie crust to the luscious cream cheese, and that fresh blueberry hit wrapped in a tender crumble topping. Choosing quality ingredients and understanding their role will set you up for a show-stopping dessert.
- Digestive or Graham Crackers: These form the base of the crust; their slight sweetness and crunch are perfect to hold everything together.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the cookie crumbs and adds richness to the crumble topping.
- Blueberries: Fresh blueberries provide that burst of juicy tartness, essential for brightening the dense cheesecake.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the crust, the filling, and the blueberry mix evenly without overpowering.
- All-Purpose Flour: Used in the crumble and blueberry filling to add structure and thicken juices.
- Lemon Juice: Just a touch to enhance the blueberries’ natural zing, balancing sweetness.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Gives the crumble a deep molasses flavor and caramelized crunch.
- Cream Cheese: Full fat and room temperature cream cheese ensure creamy, smooth, and rich cheesecake texture.
- Sour Cream: Adds a slight tang and silkiness while lightening the texture.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the cheesecake firm yet fluffy without gelling or stiffness.
- Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer that ties the entire filling together.
- Eggs: Key for setting the cheesecake and creating structure without dryness.
Make It Your Way
Over time, I’ve tweaked this Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe to suit different tastes, and it’s fun to switch things up. Feel free to add your favorite berries, swap out sugars, or even experiment with spices – customization keeps this recipe fresh and exciting!
- Variation: One time, I swapped the blueberries with mixed berries—raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries—for a vibrant twist that guests loved.
- Dietary Option: You could use a gluten-free cookie crust and flour to make this more allergy-friendly.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the sugar depending on how sweet your berries are or your personal preference; sometimes I cut back the sugar slightly if the berries are super sweet.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe
Step 1: Crafting the Perfect Cookie Crust
First things first, preheat your oven to 160ºC (325ºF) and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. I like to blitz digestive or graham crackers with sugar in a food processor until they’re fine crumbs – feels almost like you’re making sandcastles in the kitchen! Melt the butter, then pour it in and mix until everything sticks together. Press this mixture firmly into your pan, onto the bottom and a bit up the sides. Bake for about 10 minutes until it’s set and golden. Let it cool so it doesn’t sog up when we add the filling.
Step 2: Prepping the Blueberries and Crumble
While your crust bakes, toss the blueberries with sugar, flour, and a squeeze of lemon juice. This little mix thickens the juices that will ooze into the cheesecake, keeping everything nice and neat. For the crumble topping, I combine flour and dark brown sugar, then cut in melted butter with a fork until it’s all crumbly and moist. Set both aside for now while we whip up that dreamy cheesecake filling.
Step 3: Mixing the Creamy Cheesecake Filling
Using a mixer, beat room temperature cream cheese on low for a minute—this prevents lumps and gives us that silky base. Add granulated sugar and continue mixing before scraping down the sides so everything blends nicely. Mix together sour cream and cornstarch until smooth, then add it along with vanilla extract. Now, in small batches, add four eggs two at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid air bubbles and cracks later. Give it a final scrape and mix to make sure everything is well combined.
Step 4: Assembling and Baking with Care
Pour your cheesecake filling over the cooled crust. Gently spread your blueberry mixture on top, followed by sprinkling the crumble all over like a sweet blanket. Here’s my favorite trick for baking: place the springform pan inside a larger cake pan and then into a roasting pan filled with hot water, creating a water bath to keep the cheesecake moist and crack-free. Alternatively, if you wrap your springform pan in triple layers of foil really well, that works too! Bake for 1 hour and 20–30 minutes. When it’s done, the center should still have a slight wiggle — that’s perfect.
Step 5: Cooling, Setting, and Patience
Turn off the oven and leave the door slightly open, letting your cheesecake cool inside for one hour. Then take it out and move it to a cooling rack to reach room temperature, about another hour. Finally, pop it in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but ideally overnight. Trust me, this wait is worth every bite—hard to believe cheesecake could taste better the next day, but it really does.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always bring cream cheese and sour cream to room temp before mixing to avoid lumps and get silky texture.
- Water Bath Magic: Using the water bath method truly makes your cheesecake crack-free and lush every time—plus it adds moisture during baking.
- Gentle Mixing: Mix on low speed, especially when adding eggs, to keep air out and prevent cracks.
- Don’t Rush Cooling: Cooling gradually in the oven and then at room temperature stops your cheesecake from collapsing or cracking unexpectedly.
How to Serve Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a few fresh blueberries and a sprig of mint on top right before serving—it adds a pop of color and fresh scent that’s so inviting. Sometimes, I drizzle a little extra blueberry sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar for that restaurant-style finish.
Side Dishes
This cheesecake sings on its own, but if you want to pair, a light citrus salad or a simple espresso can really complement the creamy sweetness. For brunch, I’ve served it alongside fresh fruit platters and it was a hit every time.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes serve individual cheesecake jars layered with crumble and blueberries on top—makes it easy to transport and looks so pretty on the table. Another time, I used edible flowers sprinkled around the serving plate for a whimsical touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, tightly covered with plastic wrap or foil to prevent drying out. It stays fresh and creamy for up to 5 days—though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house!
Freezing
You can freeze this cheesecake, but I recommend slicing it first and wrapping individual pieces in plastic wrap and foil. When you thaw them slowly in the fridge overnight, they retain their texture better. Just avoid freezing the crumble topping separately—it gets soggy on thawing.
Reheating
I usually enjoy my cheesecake cold, but if you want it slightly warmed, just let slices sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. Microwaving a few seconds can soften it but be careful not to melt the texture.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen blueberries in this Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries if fresh aren’t available, but I recommend thawing them completely and draining excess liquid before mixing to avoid a soggy crust or filling.
-
Why do you use a water bath for baking the cheesecake?
The water bath slowly and evenly transfers heat around the cheesecake, preventing cracks and making the texture silky smooth, which is essential for a perfect cheesecake.
-
How long can I store this cheesecake in the fridge?
Stored properly in an airtight container, this cheesecake can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator while staying fresh and delicious.
-
Can I make this Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better the next day once it’s fully set, making it a great make-ahead dessert for parties or holiday meals.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping Recipe is such a joy to make and more importantly, to share. From the first bite, you’ll experience that wonderful blend of creamy, crunchy, and fruity goodness that feels like a big warm hug on a plate. It’s become a staple in my family’s dessert rotation, and I know you’ll love it just as much. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and dive into cheesecake heaven—you won’t regret it!
Print
Blueberry Cheesecake with Crumble Topping 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
Description
A rich and creamy Blueberry Crumble Cheesecake featuring a buttery cookie crust, fresh blueberry topping, and a crunchy crumble layer, baked to perfection in a water bath for a smooth, luscious texture.
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 Cookie Crust: Preheat the oven to 160ºC (325ºF) conventional. Line a 23 cm (9 inch) springform pan with parchment paper. In a food processor, blend the digestive or graham crackers with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar until a fine sand-like texture forms. Melt the butter and add it to the mixture, blending until combined. Press the cookie crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of the springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then allow it to cool completely while keeping the oven on.
- Prepare Blueberry Topping and Crumble: In a small bowl, mix fresh blueberries with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice until no dry flour remains. Set aside. For the crumble, in another bowl mix 110 g all-purpose flour and 80 g dark brown sugar. Melt 70 g butter and pour over the flour mixture. Mix with a fork until crumbly with no dry flour. Set aside.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat 800 g cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute. Add 260 g granulated sugar and mix for another minute on low speed. Scrape down bowl sides and mix for 30 seconds more. In a small bowl, blend 200 g sour cream with 1 ½ tablespoon cornstarch until smooth. Add sour cream mixture and 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract to cream cheese mixture, mixing on low speed until combined.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate eggs two at a time, mixing on low speed until fully combined after each addition. Scrape down sides and give a final mix until smooth and well incorporated.
- Assemble the Cheesecake: Pour cheesecake batter into the prepared springform pan. Evenly distribute the blueberry topping over the batter, then sprinkle the crumble topping on top.
- Prepare Water Bath and Bake: Boil water in a kettle. Place the springform pan inside a 30 cm (12 inch) cake pan, then place this cake pan inside a larger baking or roasting pan. Carefully pour the hot water into the outer pan to about halfway up the sides of the cake pan, ensuring water does not enter the cheesecake pan. Alternatively, wrap the springform pan in triple layers of aluminum foil to prevent water leakage before placing it in the water bath. Bake in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Cool the Cheesecake: After baking, gently shake the cake pan; the center should be slightly wobbly. Turn off the oven and leave the oven door slightly open. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour.
- Final Cooling and Chilling: Remove cheesecake from the oven and water bath. Place on a cooling rack to cool to room temperature for about 1 hour. Once cooled, refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, before serving to allow it to set properly.
Notes
- Use a digital scale for precise ingredient measurements to ensure the best results.
- Press the crust firmly and evenly to prevent cracking or crumbling during baking.
- Ensure the cream cheese and sour cream are at room temperature to avoid lumps in the batter.
- Water bath baking prevents cracking and ensures even cooking of the cheesecake.
- If using aluminum foil to seal, wrap tightly with at least three layers to prevent water leakage into the cheesecake.
- The cheesecake is best served chilled and can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- To soften the cream cheese quickly, leave it on the counter for about 1 hour before starting the recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
