Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake

I love this Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake recipe! It’s very simple, yet the presentation and flavor are impressive. I make this for any occasion I can, and there are never any leftovers. Who knew a basic cheesecake recipe could be so incredibly delicious?

My favorite part is the creamy filling. It’s tangy, not too sweet, and perfectly rich. My mouth is watering just thinking about taking a bite with the crunchy graham cracker crust. There are no unusual ingredients, either. It’s truly a no-fuss patriotic cheesecake recipe decorated with red and blue swirls.

If you like red, white, and blue desserts, you will love Red, White, and Blue Trail Mix, 4th of July Sugar Cookies, Cheesecake Trifle and Red, White, and Blue Bundt Cakes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It requires minimal ingredients: I kept this cheesecake recipe very basic and simple so the focus can be placed more on the presentation and colors. Of course, it’s still very yummy!
• It’s colorful: The vibrant blue and red layers make each slice extra beautiful. It’s a bright and eye-catching dessert.
• It’s customizable: Since it’s so easy, you can customize the colors and even the flavors whenever you want. You can add extracts and use more or fewer colors; there are no rules!

Ingredients

Below, I separated the ingredients for the crust and the cheesecake filling so it’s easier to see how each item is used.

For the crust

• Graham crackers: This is the base of the crust. You can pulse them in a food processor or use an old-fashioned rolling pin and a Ziploc bag. I like to use regular graham crackers because they fit best with the classic cheesecake filling.
• Butter: Melted butter helps hold the crust together. I like unsalted best because I find that salted butter gives the overall bite a little too much savory flavor.

For the cheesecake filling

• Cream cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for best results. It will ensure that you have a smooth filling and no lumps.
• Cornstarch: I use a little cornstarch as a thickener. It works with the egg to bind it together so it’s not watery when it comes out of the oven.
• Cream: This adds richness and creaminess as it whips with the other ingredients. It makes the filling fluffy and light.
• Eggs: Not only do these help with the structure, they also provide a little fat, flavor, and color to the dessert. Eggs are essential in any baked cheesecake.
• Food coloring: I use red and blue food coloring for this recipe to keep with the patriotic theme. Use enough to make the colors vibrant, but not too much to affect the consistency of the filling.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Berry: Add strawberry puree to the red and blueberry puree to the blue layers to keep the theme, but also provide bright and fresh fruit flavors.
• Halloween: Trade the red and blue for orange and purple to make a spooky Halloween cheesecake.
• Valentine’s Day: Go with red and pink layers and top the cheesecake with heart sprinkles for a Valentine’s Day dessert.
• Swap the Crust: Instead of the graham crackers you can use crushed Oreos for a chocolate crust.

How to Make a Layered Cheesecake for 4th of July

Here are the instructions on how to make this layered cheesecake. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F to get started. Once the crust is baked and cooled, wrap the pan with foil, and before you bake the cheesecake, place it in a roasting pan filled halfway with water.

Step 1: Make the crust. Stir together the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a mixing bowl until all the crumbs are coated.

Step 2: Add crust to pan. Add the crumb mixture to a springform pan and press it down evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake it for 10 minutes. Set it aside to cool.

Step 3: Prepare the filling. Beat the cream cheese and sugar, add the cornstarch, and continue to mix. Lastly, add the heavy cream. Once smooth, beat the eggs into the mixture one at a time until they are fully incorporated.

Step 4: Separate and color it. Divide the cheesecake batter into 3 bowls. Add blue coloring to one, red to the second, and leave the third one white.

Step 5: Layer cheesecake. Pour the blue cheesecake mixture into the pan first.

Step 6: Add plain. Pour the white mixture from the center and spread it gently.

Step 7: Add red and bake. Pour the red mixture on top. Stick the pan into the oven and bake the cheesecake for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Then, turn off the oven, and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another 30 minutes with the door cracked.

Step 8: Cool and serve. Finish cooling the cheesecake at room temperature for 2 hours before putting it in the fridge for the final 2 hours. Slice and enjoy!

If you love recipes like this Fourth of July cheesecake, you may also enjoy this Cheesecake Fruit Salad.

Serving Suggestions

• Add a thin layer of raspberry jalapeno jam for a subtle kick and more red color for the 4th of July theme.
• Top the cheesecake with more fruit, like air fried pineapple, to add a tropical, caramelized note. To the dessert.
• A slice of cheesecake and a hot cup of coffee are a fabulous match. Try this cloud coffee recipe to take it up a notch.
• Add a fun, crunchy topping like churro pretzels or this candied walnuts for texture.

Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake

Karin and Ken

Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake takes a simple baked cheesecake and adds vibrant colors. It’s the perfect recipe to share with friends and family this summer.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Resting Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Calories 574 kcal

Equipment

• 9” Springform Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Hand mixer
• roasting pan
• wire rack

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Crust

• 300 grams graham crackers crumbs approximately 2 ½ cups
• 1 stick unsalted butter melted

Cheesecake filling

• 750 grams cream cheese at room temperature 3 bricks
• 200 grams white granulated sugar approximately 1 cup
• 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 3 large eggs room temperature
• Blue and red food coloring

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 325F. Mix the graham crackers crumbs and butter in a small mixing bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of the springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300F.
• In a large bowl, add the cream cheese and sugar, beat until smooth with a hand mixer. Add the cornstarch and mix until well blended on low speed.
• Add the whipping cream and continue mixing on low speed until well combined.
• Add eggs one at time, beating slowly just until incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat until smooth.
• Divide the cheesecake batter into 3 equally sized potions. Mix blue food coloring into one until you have reached your desired color (note: many food colorings darken with time). Repeat for the red and leave the 3rd bowl white.
• Wrap the springform pan in tinfoil to place into a water bath later.
• Pour the blue cheesecake batter on the center crust and spread flat but leave about an inch or so from the edge.
• Carefully pour the white starting from the center and spread the same way. The blue layer should start to spread naturally with the weight of each layer.
• Repeat again for the red layer.
• Place the springform pan in a roasting pan and fill it up halfway with water and place in the oven to bake. Bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Shut the heat off and open the oven door just a bit and leave in for an additional 30 minutes.
• After the 30 minutes of rest, remove the cheesecake from the oven and let sit for 2 hours. Place in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight to fully set.
• Remove from springform pan. Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.

Notes

• If you take the cheesecake out of the oven too early, it will cause cracks because of the rapid temperature change.
• Store this cheesecake in the fridge tightly covered for up to 5 days.
• Pre-baking the crust is an important step to keep the crust from falling apart too easily.

Nutrition

Calories: 574kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 9gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 159mgSodium: 461mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 1441IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 2mg

Keyword 4th of July cheesecake, red white and blue desserts, Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake

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This post was originally published in May 2021. It's been updated with new images and content.