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)
🔪 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!
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- Lemon Cheesecake Fiadone
- Key Lime Ribbon Cheesecake
- Tiramisu Cheesecake
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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.
Rebecca says
Yum! I love how the strawberries look like hearts!
Jas says
Such a yummy hack 😉
Linda says
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.
Jas says
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
Jann Olson says
I love no bake cheesecake! I have never heard of it called rare. That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jas says
Yep, we learn something every day 🙂
Akaleistar says
That cheesecake looks so good!
Jas says
Thank you so much!
Jessica Cantoni says
This is super cute!! I never noticed that cut strawberries look like little hearts! x
Jas says
They do, isn't it fun? Thanks for stopping in!
Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says
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.
Jas says
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.
Katelynn|hampersandhiccups.com says
Wow. To die for. Great pictures.
#mummymondays
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
Jas says
Thank you, Katelynn! Means a lot! 🙂
Amy @ HandbagMafia says
I have tried one but never made it- maybe I'll give it a go! Yum!
Jas says
It's easy! If I can do it, anyone can, lol. 🙂
Lisa says
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!
Jas says
Thank you so much for pinning, Lisa! You're right - it's light and delicious 😀 Have a great week ahead.
Optimistic Existentialist says
This looks heavenly!!
Jas says
Thanks, Keith! Hope your week is going great!
shelley says
Have to admit that I've never met a cheesecake I didn't like. This one looks yummy.
Jas says
He he, same here, Shelley! 😀
Janet says
Oh my, I definitely have to try this recipe. – it looks delicious, and the strawberry hearts are just delightful!
Janet
rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com
Jas says
Hi, Janet! You won't regret it! Easy and yummy! 😀 Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Lynda says
Oh, I've got to try this - it looks delicious, and the strawberry hearts are just delightful!
Jas says
Thanks, Linda! Warning: it's addictive, lol.
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says
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 🙂
Jas says
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!
Sherry says
This cake looks divine! It's so smooth and creamy...and no bake! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Jas says
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!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Jas - that is absolutley beautiful! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up!
Jas says
I'm so happy you think so, Helen! XOXO