Description
This Pineapple Heaven Cheesecake is a luscious, creamy dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cream cheese filling sweetened with pineapple-flavored gelatin, and topped with fresh pineapple chunks. Perfectly chilled to set, it combines tropical flavors and rich texture for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Pineapple Mixture
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 packet gelatin
Topping
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well blended. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form an even crust. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely.
- Make the cream cheese filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture along with the vanilla extract, ensuring the mixture remains light and airy.
- Prepare the pineapple gelatin mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple juice, powdered sugar, and cornstarch. Cook while stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Meanwhile, dissolve the packet of gelatin in a small amount of warm water, then mix the dissolved gelatin into the cooled pineapple mixture thoroughly.
- Combine and assemble: Carefully fold the pineapple gelatin mixture into the cream cheese filling until fully blended. Pour this combined filling over the cooled graham cracker crust in the springform pan, smoothing the top evenly with a spatula.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours, or until the filling is fully set and firm. Just before serving, top the cheesecake with fresh pineapple chunks for a burst of fruity freshness.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Chilling time is essential to allow the gelatin to set the filling properly.
- You can substitute fresh pineapple chunks with canned ones if preferred, but drain well to avoid excess moisture.
- For a lighter crust option, consider using crushed digestive biscuits.
- Serve chilled for best texture and flavor.
