• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

This Vivacious Life logo

  • Welcome
    • About the vivacious girl…
    • Privacy Policy
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Charcuterie
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Welcome
    • About the Vivacious Girl…
    • Privacy Policy
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Charcuterie
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Sweet Treats » Creamy Gluten Free Cheesecake

    Creamy Gluten Free Cheesecake

    August 23, 2023 By Chandice | 1 Comment | Updated August 25, 2023

    this post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Gluten Free Cheesecake pin

    This creamy and smooth gluten free cheesecake is the dessert recipe you didn’t know you needed. The flaky and buttery crust is so good, you won’t even be able to tell it’s gluten free.

    gluten free cheesecake on a jadeite cake stand

    I’ve been baking gluten-free for quite some time now, so I can promise you I know a thing or two. Whenever I bring this recipe to family gatherings or parties, nobody ever suspects it’s gluten free!

    It reminds me of what Chandler and Rachel from Friends would have been eating on the cheesecake episode…It is so creamy!

    Since this cheesecake is easy but still restaurant quality, it’s perfect for any occasion. You can bring this gf cheesecake to Thanksgiving, Easter, or any old fashion get together. A fun alternative to gluten free apple cider cupcakes or gluten free hocolate chip cookies.

    I choose to serve it with a homemade strawberry glaze but you can top with chocolate ganache, caramel, strawberry simple syrup or fresh berries. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

    Subscribe to This Vivacious Life

    Receive a free e-book of Instant Pot recipes!

    And if you love this, you will love our no bake frozen strawberry pie. It’s great for summer when it is extra hot!

    gluten free cheesecake on a jadeite cake stand

    Why this cheesecake is top tier

    • It’s creamy and sweet but not overwhelming.
    • A celiac friendly dessert everyone can enjoy!
    • This recipe calls for simple ingredients you probably already have.
    • No need for a food processor or other fancy equipment
    • It has an amazing topping with fresh strawberries and strawberry glaze

    Ingredients you’ll need

    • Flour – Gluten free oatmeal flour is my flour of choice for a gluten-free cheesecake crust.
    • Pecans – Finely chopped pecans not only add flavor to the crust, but they also absorb moisture and help hold it together similar to almond flour.
    • Sugar – prefer brown sugar to cane sugar because it gives it a smoother tastes and texture.
    • Butter – Unsalted organic butter is the best.
    • Cream cheese – Make sure to use full fat or a high quality cream cheese for a creamy cheesecake. Also note that softened cream cheese will be easier to work with!
    • Cream
    • Eggs – You’ll have to separate the eggs from the egg whites for this gf cheesecake.
    gluten free cheesecake ingredients

    How to make a gluten-free cheesecake

    Step 1: Make the crust

    In a small bowl, combine dry crust ingredients together. Slowly stir in melted butter then press into the bottom of a greased pan. (Make sure to grease the sides of the pan, not just the bottom!)

    gluten free cheesecake crust being made
    gluten free cheesecake crust being pressed into a pan

    Step 2: Prepare the filling

    Combine cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Then, beat egg yolks with the cream cheese mixture followed by the rest of the wet ingredients.

    gluten free cheesecake filling being made with egg yolks
    gluten free cheesecake filling being made citrus zest

    Step 3: Beat egg whites

    In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form then incorporate with the rest of the cheesecake batter.

    gluten free cheesecake filling
    gluten free cheesecake being poured into crust

    Step 4: Bake!

    Pour creamy filling into the spring form pan. Place pan on the lowest rack and bake cheesecake for roughly 30 minutes.

    gluten free cheesecake being poured into crust

    Step 5: Final touches

    Let the baked cheesecake cool then add the strawberry glaze or your favorite toppings.

    Pro tip: Set the cheesecake on an 18-inch square of heavy-duty aluminum foil or disposable tray. This way, it will catch any cheesecake that over flows.

    gluten free cheesecake on a jadeite cake stand

    Expert tips

    • Cook an extra 5-10 minutes if the cheesecake is not set after 40 minutes. However be careful not to over bake or the cake will crack.
    • Make sure the oven is completely heated before baking. This will help prevent the cheesecake from cracking while baking.
    • When mixing in the egg whites, mix until just combined. If you over mix there will be too much air in the cheesecake which might cause it to crack.
    • Add water to the heavy duty disposable tray to create a water bath for the cheesecake.
    gluten free cheesecake on a jadeite cake stand

    Is cream cheese gluten-free?

    Yes cream cheese is naturally gluten free. Philadelphia cream cheese as well as most other brands are celiac friendly. However, it’s best to double check the label just in case.

    Is store bought cheesecake gluten-free?

    No, unfortunately a traditional cheesecake is not gluten free. You can either make your own homemade cheesecake or you can special order a gluten-free cake. This cake is gluten-free because I use a combination of oat flour and nut flour for the cookie crust.

    Should cheesecake be refrigerated?

    Yes, New York cheesecake should be refrigerated. Do not let this cake sit out for more than a few hours or it will start to go bad. Store in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. I recommend storing without toppings.

    Need an EASY and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert?
    Take a look at my Sheet Pan Meals and More!

    NEED MORE GOODNESS? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for great recipes, entertaining ideas and more!

    Gluten Free Cheesecake

    Gluten Free Cheesecake on a cake stand and on a plate
    5 from 2 votes
    This creamy and smooth gluten free cheesecake is the dessert recipe you didn't know you needed. The flaky and buttery crust is so good, you won't even be able to tell it's gluten free. 
    PRINT RECIPE SAVE RECIPESaved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 40 minutes mins
    20 minutes mins
    Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: gluten free cheesecake
    Servings: 10 slices

    Ingredients

    Crust

    • 3/4 cup Gluten free oatmeal flour
    • 3/4 cup Finely chopped pecans
    • 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
    • 1/3 cup Butter melted

    Cheesecake

    • 1 1/2 pounds Cream cheese room temperature
    • 3/4 cup Brown sugar divided
    • 5 Large egg yolks
    • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
    • 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons Lemon zest
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons Orange zest
    • 3 Large egg whites

    Strawberry Glaze

      Instructions

      Crust

      • Position the rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
      • Generously butter a springform pan.
      • In a medium bowl, mix the oatmeal flour, pecans and sugar until combined.
        gluten free cheesecake crust being made
      • Stir in melted butter until moistened and press the crust into the bottom of the springform pan. Place in crust in the refrigerator.
        gluten free cheesecake crust being pressed into a pan

      Filling

      • Mix the cream cheese and ½ c sugar into a large bowl. Scrape down sides and mix again.
      • Add in egg yolks and combine with an electric mixer or hand mixer
        gluten free cheesecake filling being made with egg yolks
      • Slowly add cream, vanilla, lemon zest, and orange zest until completely combined.
        gluten free cheesecake filling being made citrus zest
      • In a large mixer or large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
      • Add the remaining ¼ c sugar, 1 tablespoons at a time, beating until the whites are shiny. This should take around 45 seconds.
      • With a rubber spatula, fold one-fourth of the cheese mixture into the whites, taking about 10 turns to lighten. Fold in the remaining cheese mixture, taking an additional 30 turns.
        gluten free cheesecake being poured into crust
      • Pour the batter into the pan with the crust.
        gluten free cheesecake being poured into crust
      • Bake for 40 minutes.
      • Let cool and top with strawberry glaze
        gluten free cheesecake on a jadeite cake stand

      This post was originally published June 17, 2010! My aunt Micki shared this great recipe with me the she created and I knew I had to share it. Here is the original recipe photo.

      gluten free cheesecake with strawberry topping

      Share:

      Filed Under: Gluten-Free Sweet Treats Tagged With: cake, cheesecake

      Chandice of This Vivacious Life

      Hi, I'm Chandice!

      Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

      FREEBIES

      Subscribe to receive a FREE e-book of Instant Pot Dinner Recipes!

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Marlie says

        September 05, 2023 at 2:17 pm

        5 stars
        My oh my, this cheesecake is divine!!! And you’re right. I couldn’t tell it was gluten free!

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      Chandice of This Vivacious Life

      Hi there, I’m Chandice!

      I love sharing ways to live more vivaciously! Celebrate life with us through unforgettable gluten-free recipes, easy mocktails and everyday entertaining ideas…

      Read More

      • Email
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

      Freebies

      Subscribe to receive a FREE e-book of Instant Pot Dinner Recipes!

      Seasonal Recipes & Entertaining

      What is a mocktail? Hand pouring drink ingredient into a cup.

      What is a mocktail?

      Whole30 Ranch Dressing in a glass pitcher

      Whole30 Ranch Dressing (Dairy-Free)

      Three whole30 crab cakes on a white plate

      Whole30 Gluten-Free Crab Cakes

      Featured Posts

      Grazing Table on butcher paper

      Grazing Table (Easy & Delicious!)

      Gluten Free Crescent Rolls on a plate

      Gluten-Free Crescent Rolls (The BEST Ever!)

      Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls (the BEST) on a plate

      Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls (The BEST & Fluffiest!)

      Easy Tater Tot Casserole on a spoon

      Easy Tater Tot Casserole (Grandma’s Recipe)

      gluten free ramen in a white bowl

      Gluten Free Ramen (the BEST!)

      Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese in a bowl

      Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese (Instant Pot)

      Check out my e-book!

      Sheet Pan Meals and More gluten-free e-book

      Gluten Free on a Budget

      Our cookbook is now available right here!

      Footer

      As seen on

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • About Me
      • Privacy Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates
      • Check out my web stories

      Contact

      • Contact

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2022 This Vivacious Life