Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake is the perfect way to celebrate Blueberry Cheesecake Day (yes, that’s a thing, a very good thing!) This cheesecake is full of both fresh and frozen blueberries to mark the special day dedicated to one of my favorite desserts.
Blueberries are one of those ingredients that need nothing more than themselves to be special. The color adds natural drama and the sweet-tart flavor is a dynamic pairing with the creamy cheesecake. I made a bright purple sauce by cooking frozen blueberries with nothing more than a touch of sugar and lemon zest, so the blueberry flavor is intense.
I always have blueberries in the freezer for pies, smoothies, and occasions just like this. I swirled the sauce into the cheesecake batter so there are stripes of flavor and that gorgeous color throughout. After piping whipped cream over the top I covered it with big, fresh blueberries to add that juicy snap of flavor, plus they’re a beautiful and fun way to garnish the cheesecake. You can watch me create this blueberry swirl cheesecake in my Instagram Highlight Video!
Ingredients
Blueberry Swirl and Sauce
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs about 5 ounces
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 2 ounces unsalted butter melted
Cheesecake Batter
- 1½ pounds cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Pinch salt
Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream whipped to medium peaks
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
Instructions
Blueberry Sauce
- Cook the frozen berries, sugar and zest in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until they are tender and the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Blend the berries with a blender or immersion blender until pureed.
Cheesecake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×3-inch Springform Cake Pan and line the bottom with parchment.
- In a food processor, mix together the graham crackers, brown sugar, salt, and butter. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press it out in an even layer. Bake for about 12 minutes, until it starts to look lightly toasted. Lower oven to 325°F.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese on medium speed for about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and mix for another 30 seconds. Add the sugar and mix for about 1 minute, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the creme fraiche and ricotta until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides after each. Add the vanilla, lemon extract, zest and salt. Mix for 30 seconds.
- Pour 1/3 cheesecake batter over the baked crust. drizzle 3 tablespoons blueberry sauce over the batter. Use a skewer or knife to gently swirl the sauce into the batter. Pour half of the remaining cheesecake over the swirled blueberry sauce, repeat the swirling with 3 tablespoons blueberry sauce. Add remaining cheesecake batter and finish by swirling 3 tablespoons blueberry sauce on top.
- Bake cheesecake on a cookie sheet in the center of the oven for about 75-90 minutes (the timing will greatly depend on the temperature of the ingredients). Place a second sheet on a lower rack and fill with boiling water. The cheesecake will soufflé as it bakes, which is normal for this style baking. Once the top of the cake is set, remove from the oven and gently run a knife blade around the edge of the pan. Allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
- Chill for several hours or overnight. Run a hot knife blade around the outer edge of the cake, then remove the sides of the springform pan. Lay a piece of plastic over the top and invert the cake to remove the bottom of the pan and parchment paper. Invert the cake onto the serving plate.
- Top with whipped cream and berries before serving. I used a Leaf Decorating Tip to make the ruffles. Serve with remaining blueberry sauce.
This post is sponsored by USDA Little Blue Dynamos, but the opinions and words are all mine!
Looks so summery and delish!
Where did you get that springform pan? I have to get one ASAP!! The cheesecake looks delicious! Can’t wait to make it!
Hi Heather! Zoe links to a springform pan in her recipe above! You can also find it in her Amazon shop in the cheesecake section. https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-f16c0b55
Beautiful. So happy for a new creation. Thank you.
This turned out delicious. I only had a 9″ spring form pan so I increased the batter recipe by one third and it worked out fine. I also had to increase the baking time a bit for the larger size pan. I used an almond flour with walnuts crust for so that it could be gluten free for one of my guests. Mine didn’t look as stunning since I knew this would have to keep a couple days (it was for only 5 gals) and the whipped cream wouldn’t late that long. We just added it and the berries to each piece as we cut it. This is definitely one that I will make again.
What internal temperature should cake bake to please?
Hi Sabine,
That is an excellent question, I don’t typically use a thermometer for cheesecakes, but I will check next time out of curiosity.
Thanks, Zoë
Just have a question regarding the baking…you said to put the filled springform pan in the middle of the oven on a cookie sheet. Then put another sheet on a rack below and fill with boiling water. Do you put the boiling water in a oven proof container or directly on the (sided) cookie sheet? I’m familiar with cheese cake recipes with a water bath but this sounds different. If you can clarify the procedure I would be greatly appreciative. Thanks! Can’t wait to try it. Sounds lovely.
Hi Anne,
The water in the oven just regulates the temperature and creates moisture so the top of the cake doesn’t dry out while baking. You can use any large flat vessel to hold the water. The larger the more insulating it will be under the cake, which is set on the rack above.
I hope that clarifies it a bit?
Thanks, Zoë
If I don’t have ricotta, would you recommend increasing the amount of cream cheese instead?
Hi Tessa! You could increase the cream cheese or use chèvre instead. Happy baking!
Excited to make this ♥️♥️
Zoe
Is it possible to make this in a 9 inch instead of the 8 Inch springform? Would love to make this with the 9X3 inch I already have. Thanks for your help.
Is anyone available to answer my question, fromMaay 15th? I need to know if I can do this cheesecake in a 9 inch springform rather than an 8 inch. And any adjustments to heat or baking time?
Hope Zoe or someone will reply
Thank you
Adele
Zoe
Is it possible to make this in a 9 inch instead of the 8 Inch springform? Would love to make this with the 9X3 inch I already have. Thanks for your help.
Hi Adele, Yes you can, but it won’t be as tall and will bake a little faster, so check it about 20 minutes earlier and see how it’s doing.
Thank you Stephanie for your response. Even though the event has passed since my question, I look forward to making it sometime soon. No adjustments to heat level are necessary?
Adele
Can you tell me what white base food processor with the attached flip top lid you are using? Thank you, Pam
Hi Pam, the food processor with the flip top lid is from KitchenAid.
Hello. Just wondering how you created this beautiful layer of whipped cream with such a “tall” look?
Hi Lisa! If you have Instagram, you can see how Zoë does it here. She just piles the whipped cream on top and then smooths it with a spatula!