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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- 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.
Mary says
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.
Jas says
I like her a lot, haha! I'm due to make one, it's been a while (since that carrot cake cheesecake).
Judith Graber says
"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.
Jas says
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.
Cat says
This looks so pretty and tasty!
Jas says
Thanks, Cat! I'm so glad you like it 😀
Leslie says
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!
Jas says
Thank you, my dear! 🙂
Julie says
I had no idea what a rare cheesecake was - learn something new every day! This looks lovely, especially with the strawberry slices.
Jas says
Isn't that the truth, Julie? It keeps life interesting, though. LOL
Kat @ Kat's 9 Lives says
Yum! I love cheesecake! And the hearts around the edges are very cute!
Jas says
Thanks, Kat! They add a romantic tone. 🙂
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
I love a no bake cheesecake and this one looks awesome! x
Jas says
Thanks, Maria! Glad you like it 🙂
Rhonda says
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.
Jas says
Hi, Rhonda! I'm a cheesecake addict. I love how simple and fluffy this one is. Hope your grandkids enjoy it too!
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!