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Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream topped with graham cracker crumbles in a glass dessert bowl.
Linda

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Creamy no-churn ice cream swirled with real strawberry sauce and chunks of graham cracker for that classic cheesecake experience in every scoop.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 8 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

For the Strawberry Swirl
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped about 10 oz
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
For the Ice Cream Base
  • 8 oz cream cheese full-fat, softened
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
  • 2 cups heavy cream cold
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp salt
For the Graham Cracker Mix-In
  • 6 graham cracker sheets crushed into rough chunks, about 1 cup

Equipment

  • 9x5 inch Loaf Pan
  • Medium saucepan
  • Fine-Mesh Sieve
  • Electric Mixer

Method
 

Make the Strawberry Swirl
  1. Combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, mashing occasionally, until berries break down and mixture thickens to a loose jam consistency. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing to extract all liquid; discard seeds. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes. You should have about 3/4 cup sauce.
Prepare the Ice Cream Base
  1. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until completely smooth, about 2 minutes. Add sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and salt; beat until well combined and no lumps remain.
  2. In a separate large bowl, whip cold heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. The cream should hold its shape when you lift the beaters.
  3. Gently fold about one-third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it, then fold in the remaining cream in two additions. Use a spatula and work carefully to keep the mixture airy.
Assemble and Freeze
  1. Spread one-third of the ice cream base into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of strawberry sauce and sprinkle with one-third of the graham cracker chunks. Repeat layers twice more, ending with graham crackers on top. Use a knife to swirl the sauce gently through the layers - don't overmix or you'll lose the ribbon effect.
  2. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, until completely firm. Let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping for the best texture.

Notes

For the cleanest swirl, make sure your strawberry sauce is completely cool before layering - warm sauce will melt the base. No graham crackers? Vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies work beautifully. The ice cream keeps well for up to 2 weeks if wrapped tightly; press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals.