Easy-make, no-bake Japanese style rare cheesecake is like eating a fluffy cloud, perfect for Valentine's Day.
I've never been to Asia, but after trying (and loving) two types of Japanese cheesecakes, I'm ready to visit. You know my obsession with cheesecakes.
Have you ever heard of rare cheesecake? When I first saw it, I thought it was either a typo or the cake was made with some rare ingredient.
What is a rare cheesecake?
No-bake cheesecake is called "Rare Cheese Cake" in Japan. Live and learn, ha!
So far, I am impressed with Japanese cheesecakes and wonder if there are other kinds they're hiding from me. Although their first cheesecake I made (cotton chiffon cheesecake) must be baked, it is soft, spongy, and light.
I made this one as a test for Valentine's Day treat. It passed with flying colors. The rare cheesecake is creamy, fluffy, light, and perfect - as in perfectly tasty, not perfect looking.
I haven't mastered that skill yet and I think I never will.
You can make the crust with graham crackers, or you can buy the ready-to-use crust, but I think chocolate-y Oreos go well with strawberries. When sliced, they look like hearts, but you can skip the strawberries and toppings if you wish.
I topped mine with chocolate-dipped strawberries, a peach rose, sprinkles, and Oreo truffles (I made a mistake by crushing the whole package of Oreos and didn't want to waste them).
🛒Ingredients and Notes
- Oreo cookies, crushed
- butter
- cream cheese
- sugar
- heavy cream
- vanilla extract
- lemon
- powdered gelatin, unflavored
- Strawberries or other fruit for garnish (optional)
🔪Step by Step Instructions
- Combine crushed cookies with melted butter. You can crush them using a food processor or put them in a Ziploc bag and roll them over with a rolling pin until finely crushed. Line an 8-inch springform with wax or parchment paper. Press Oreo mixture on the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate.
- In the meantime, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and lemon juice. Mix well.
- In a small bowl, pour boiling water over gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Let cool slightly. If it cools too much and it hardens, microwave for 15-20 seconds. Do not boil.
- Meanwhile, if using, remove stems from strawberries and slice. Line the side of the springform with strawberry slices.
- Gradually beat in gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Pour over the Oreo crust and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.
- Gently remove the rim of the springform. Run a knife alongside the rim first, then using a kitchen torch or a hot towel warm up the sides a bit and release it.
Decorate the cake as desired. Keep refrigerated.
Happy baking!
Other Amazing Recipes to Try
- Mini Lime and Guava Cheesecakes
- Lemon Cheesecake Fiadone
- Key Lime Ribbon Cheesecake
- Tiramisu Cheesecake
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Rare Cheesecake for Valentine’s Day
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Oreo cookies crushed
- 1 stick butter melted
- 16 oz. cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon powdered gelatin unflavored
- ½ cup boiling water
- Strawberries or other fruit for garnish optional
Instructions
- Combine crushed cookies with melted butter. You can crush them using a food processor or put them in a Ziploc bag and roll over with a rolling pin until finely crushed. Line an 8-inch springform with wax or parchment paper. Press Oreo mixture on the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate.
- In the meantime, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar, heavy cream, vanilla and lemon juice. Mix well.
- In a small bowl, pour boiling water over gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Let cool slightly. If it cools too much and it hardens, microwave for 15-20 seconds. Do not boil.
- Meanwhile, if using, remove stems from strawberries and slice. Line the side of the springform with strawberry slices.
- Gradually beat in gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Pour over the Oreo crust and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.
- Gently remove the rim of the springform. Run a knife alongside the rim first, then using a kitchen torch or a hot towel warm up the sides a bit and release it.
- Decorate the cake as desired. Keep refrigerated.
Hi Jas,
I found your website through this recipe which was pinned on Pinterest. Love the idea of an easy cheesecake with oreos. Also love the idea of your blog; who doesn't want comfort from around the world. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy New Year!
Alonna
Hi, Alonna! Thank you for stopping in and for your kind feedback. Glad you like my humble blog. 😀 Happy 2020!
Tried this recipe last night, It's very good for a no bake cheesecake. I reduced the water to gelatin ratio but other than that it works as is. My base was brownie so i didn't try the crust.
added a layer of raspberry jam mixed with triple sec & vodka.
Used food coloring on the cheesecake filling with 5 min in the freezer between layers.
You can see the results here: https://www.facebook.com/sharra.corragon/posts/10156025079516577
Turned out fabulous 🙂
I love the unicorn layers, even the "bloody" part, lol. So happy you liked it and gave it your own spin! Thank you!! xx
What an elegant and stunning dessert ! Featuring when my party opens tonight.
Thank you so much, Carol! I'm thrilled. XO
Jas - I love this idea of a Raw Valentines Cheesecake and I am featuring you this week at #TuneInThursday 🙂
Oh my word, how did I miss that? Thank you, Debbie. I'm humbled. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Now, I've learned something! 😀 This rare cheesecake looks so gorgeous and yummy! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Hi, Jhuls! We live and learn, don't we? 🙂
Hi Jas,
Your Rare Cheesecake is just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing this work of art with us today at Full Plate Thursday. I would be so happy to serve this to my special Valentine!
Miz Helen
That just makes me happy, Miz Helen! Thank you.
I love the strawberry hearts around the outside. Super cute for Valentine's Day!
Thanks so much, Mary! 🙂
The moment I saw this I called my girl over and said "look!!" And she said "this is what I am making for Valentine's Day!" You see, like you, she also has a weakness for cheesecake.
I like her a lot, haha! I'm due to make one, it's been a while (since that carrot cake cheesecake).
"Rare" first reminded me of a piece of meat 🙂 Delicious looking cake and the strawberry hearts are a nice touch. Don't forget to link to Fiesta Friday and thanks for coming to the party.
Lol, and I first thought of something uncommon or unusual. But you're right. Uncooked meat is rare and this cheesecake is not baked, hence also rare. Sometimes a meaning of the word can get lost in translation (trust me, I have troubles with it all the time), but that's how it's called in Japan.
This looks so pretty and tasty!
Thanks, Cat! I'm so glad you like it 😀
Now THIS looks like a cheesecake I might actually be able to make! And I love the hearts around the edge. So pretty. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Thank you, my dear! 🙂
I had no idea what a rare cheesecake was - learn something new every day! This looks lovely, especially with the strawberry slices.
Isn't that the truth, Julie? It keeps life interesting, though. LOL
Yum! I love cheesecake! And the hearts around the edges are very cute!
Thanks, Kat! They add a romantic tone. 🙂
I love a no bake cheesecake and this one looks awesome! x
Thanks, Maria! Glad you like it 🙂
This cheesecake looks fun and delicious. The fact that it's no bake makes it even better. I'm going to try this recipe with the strawberries and a graham cracker crust. My grandchildren are cheesecake lovers. This will be a hit for sure. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
Hi, Rhonda! I'm a cheesecake addict. I love how simple and fluffy this one is. Hope your grandkids enjoy it too!
Yum! I love how the strawberries look like hearts!
Such a yummy hack 😉
Great recipe, especially no bake. I love the strawberries that looks like sweet little hearts. Thanks for sharing your sweet recipe at Dishing It and Digging It.
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
I love no bake cheesecake! I have never heard of it called rare. That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Yep, we learn something every day 🙂
That cheesecake looks so good!
Thank you so much!
This is super cute!! I never noticed that cut strawberries look like little hearts! x
http://www.jesseatsandtravels.com
They do, isn't it fun? Thanks for stopping in!
Jas, This looks heavenly! I've been to Japan three different times and I can tell you that their pastries are so wonderful. I'm surprised we don't hear more about them in the USA.
Lucky you, Carol! It's on my bucket list. They are masters in decoration their pastries and the reason we don't hear much about it here is that we are intimidated.
Wow. To die for. Great pictures.
#mummymondays
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
Thank you, Katelynn! Means a lot! 🙂
I have tried one but never made it- maybe I'll give it a go! Yum!
It's easy! If I can do it, anyone can, lol. 🙂
This sounds so light and delicious. I love the idea of a no-bake cheesecake and the strawberry hearts around the side are so pretty. Pinned it!
Thank you so much for pinning, Lisa! You're right - it's light and delicious 😀 Have a great week ahead.
This looks heavenly!!
Thanks, Keith! Hope your week is going great!
Have to admit that I've never met a cheesecake I didn't like. This one looks yummy.
He he, same here, Shelley! 😀
Oh my, I definitely have to try this recipe. – it looks delicious, and the strawberry hearts are just delightful!
Janet
rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com
Hi, Janet! You won't regret it! Easy and yummy! 😀 Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Oh, I've got to try this - it looks delicious, and the strawberry hearts are just delightful!
Thanks, Linda! Warning: it's addictive, lol.
As soon as I showed my my son your cheesecake, he said I need to make it asap! I'll be getting all the ingredients this week. Thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday; this is featured this week 🙂
Hi, Lisa! I saw that you featured my cake. What a pleasant surprise it was, it's an honor to be featured on a blog like yours! Tell your son I have another one coming for Easter he might like even better 😉 Have a great week!
This cake looks divine! It's so smooth and creamy...and no bake! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Hi, Sherry! It is unlike any cheesecake I had, although the ingredients don't vary that much from the traditional no-bake cheesecake. Thanks for visiting!
Jas - that is absolutley beautiful! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up!
I'm so happy you think so, Helen! XOXO
The berries make great heart shapes! Looks delicious! cheers, kidcandoodle
Aren't they perfect to express love? Thanks for visiting!
Heavenly!!!
Visiting from Share Crafts, DIY Projects, Transformations Link party!!
Demi
http://madebydemi.com/
If we don't count calories, it is heavenly, Demi. LOL Thanks for popping in!
I've never heard of "rare cheesecake," but this is just gorgeous--and just in time for Valentine's Day! 🙂
Thank you for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I'm featuring you this week!
Thank you so much Richella, you made my day 😀 Blessings!
That cheesecake is very creative and it looks delicious too! I'd take some heart shape strawberries right now
Hi Pili, I like strawberries too, especially when they're in a cake, lol! Have a great rest of your week!
What a beautiful Cheesecake for Valentine Day, it looks delicious! Hope you are enjoying your day and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon
Miz Helen
I appreciate you stopping by! See you soon!
Love your recipe!! Pinned! I'd love it if you'd come share it with our readers at our What to do Weekends party!!
Cheers!
Theresa & Shoestring Elegance
Thank you, Theresa! I'd love to party with you! 🙂
I love the styling you've done on top of this cheesecake! Very creative! It looks delicious.
Thank you so much, Rachel! 🙂
Thank you for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty. Rare cheesecake that's a new term for me as well. I was really impressed with your photographs with the dark background. The photos are both pretty and dramatic, lovely. No wonder strawberries are a valentine favorite they made a perfect heart shape on the outside of your cake.
Have a great week.
Leanna, you just made my day! Moody (low light) food photography is not everyone's cup of tea. So happy you like it! Thank you 😀
So yummy! Thanks for linkin' up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Thank you, Karly! Hope your weekend was amazing!
I admit, I wasn't at all sure what I was going to find on a post called Rare Cheesecake! 🙂 It looks delicious. My daughter in law in Japanese, I'm going ask her if she makes it. Thanks for partying at Snickerdoodle, Jas. Pinning to my Valentine's Treats Board.
Ha, ha, totally understand. I had to research it myself when I first heard of it. Thank you for stopping in, Beverly!
I love cheesecake so much and this one looks so so beautiful, I bet it tastes just like that! I've never tried it with an oreo cookie base, yum!
I like the Oreo cookie base better because it's not as crumbly as graham cracker cookies. Hope you'll give it a try, Katrin! 😉
Get in my belly. Seriously. I HAVE to make this for Valentine's Day!! Yummo 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe. Lovely photos too! 🙂
Lol, it got in my belly so quick, you wouldn't believe. Already made another one and it's almost gone too. Goodbye resolution, ha!
This is so beautiful! I love the strawberry hearts.
Hi, Jenna. Strawberries work great to convey love, don't they? Thanks for stopping in!
How interesting, but it kind of makes sense that rare = no-bake! This looks delicious!
It kind of does, although we associate rare with steak, not cake, lol. But you gotta roll with the trend, right? 😉
Oh my, this looks fabulous!! Love how you decorated it!
Hi Cheryl, thank you bunches! 😀 😀
I don't know how you do it Jas, but every recipe you share looks like a masterpiece. This might be the weirdest question you've ever been asked, but could I ask your permission to paint some of your photos in miniature? I will always credit you as the photographer.
You're too kind, Michelle! I'm not the one coming up with coolest DIY and upcycle designs 😉 That IS the weirdest question I've been asked, ha ha, but I am very honored! See, another proof that your creativity has no limits! Thank you, can't wait to see it! XOXO
Thank you Jas. I'll do one just for you.
Aw, thanks! Mwah!