Blackberry Cheesecake
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This Blackberry Cheesecake is the perfect dessert when you want something creamy, fruity, and just the right amount of sweet. Made with a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich cheesecake layer, and a tangy blackberry swirl, this recipe is a total showstopper. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, you’re going to love every bite. Based on my wildly popular BEST Cheesecake Recipe, but with a blackberry swirl!

Ingredient Notes for Blackberry Cheesecake
This Blackberry Cheesecake is surprisingly simple to make and perfect for beginners. Since we’re using no water bath method, it is very important to take note that all of your ingredients are room temperature. Plan ahead! Here’s what you’ll need:
For the crust:
- Graham cracker crumbs – Creates a buttery, slightly crunchy base
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the crust, filling, and puree
- Melted butter – Binds the crust together and adds rich flavor
For the blackberry puree:
- Frozen blackberries (thawed, or fresh – see notes below)
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon zest & lemon juice
For the cheesecake:
- Full-fat cream cheese (at room temperature)
- Granulated sugar
- Sour cream (at room temperature)
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs (beaten, at room temperature)
For the blackberry sauce drizzle:
- Reserved blackberry puree
- Cornstarch

How to Make Blackberry Cheesecake
For full recipe details on how to make New York-Style Blackberry Cheesecake, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here are my easy to follow step by step directions for this NO WATER BATH method.
1. Preheat + Prep
Place oven racks in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350° F.
Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and lining with parchment paper on bottom and sides. Spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray as well, and set aside.



Pro Tip: A 10-inch baking pan will also work, but bake time may vary. Keep an eye on the middle of the cheesecake to ensure it’s set.
2. Make the Crust
In a food processor, grind graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add granulated sugar and pulse a couple times to combine.


While pulsating food processor, stream in melted butter until all crumbs are moist.


Using the bottom of a cup, press graham cracker crumbs into the bottom and half way up the sides of the springform pan.



Bake 7 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 325° F.

3. Make the Blackberry Puree (for swirling inside cheesecake AND for the blackberry sauce drizzle)
Place blackberries, granulated sugar, and lemon zest in a food processor or blender to puree.



Pro Tip: You can substitute fresh blackberries if they are in season. The amount will be the same, but you may want to add a splash of water to make up for the high moisture content of frozen berries. In this recipe, though…it really doesn’t make much difference.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the pureed blackberry mixture. Cook while stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely, about 5–7 minutes.



Press blackberry puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. This should yield about 1 cup of puree. Discard seeds and set HALF of the blackberry puree aside to cool.



Add the other half of the puree back to the small saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk in the cornstarch and cook for a few minutes until it thickens a bit, stirring occasionally. Set aside.



4. Make the Cheesecake Filling
In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, mix softened room temperature cream cheese for 30 seconds until smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and add in granulated sugar, room temperature sour cream, and vanilla extract.



Mix again until incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl VERY WELL and mix again briefly.
Crack room temperature eggs into a separate bowl and whisk until well beaten. With the mixer on low, slowly pour the eggs into the cream cheese mixture and stop stirring once eggs have been incorporated.



Remove bowl from mixer and scrape the sides and bottom again, ensuring the entire mixture is smooth. If there are a few small lumps, try to fold in using a rubber scraper.
Once the batter is completely smooth and ready, tap the bowl on the counter for 30-45 seconds to remove as many air bubbles as possible. You should see them popping on the surface as you tap the bowl.


Pour HALF of the cheesecake filling into the center of the prepared crust and gently smooth the top if needed.



Next add half of the blackberry puree, using a spoon to drop small dollops evenly over the surface of the cheesecake mixture. Space them out across the top to ensure the puree is distributed evenly.



Gently drag a butter knife or a skewer through the dollops of blackberry puree in a swirling motion. Be careful not to over mix or run into the graham cracker crust. Aim for a marbled pattern by moving the knife back and forth to create delicate swirls.



Pour the remaining half of the cheesecake mixture overtop the blackberry swirls.



Then, add the rest of the blackberry puree in dollops just like before and create swirls again.


5. Bake
Bake at 325° F for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 250° F and bake for another 30 minutes.
Once this time has elapsed, turn oven off and keep cheesecake inside for another 30 minutes for some carryover cooking without opening the oven door.
Next, crack oven door to let cheesecake cool slowly for 1 hour before removing. At this point, cheesecake should be slightly warm.

6. Bring to Room Temperature + Refrigerate
Bring cheesecake to room temperature on the counter (3-4 hours) before covering with plastic wrap and transferring to the fridge.

7. Remove Collar + Serve
When ready to serve, open springform pan and remove collar. Cut cheesecake into slices and serve with a healthy drizzle of blackberry sauce, whipped cream or fresh fruit and get ready for the oohs and aahs!



Store any leftover blackberry cheesecake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days! This makes this recipe especially amazing because you can make it ahead of time.
Tools You’ll Need
- 9-inch springform pan – Essential for easy removal and that classic cheesecake shape.
- Mixing bowls – For preparing the crust, filling, and blackberry puree.
- Electric mixer or stand mixer – Helps create a smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter.
- Food processor or blender – Used to puree the blackberries until smooth.
- Small saucepan – For cooking and easy cleanup.
Tips for Success
- Use room temperature ingredients – Soft cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream blend smoothly and help prevent lumps in the batter.
- Scrape the bowl often – Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom well while mixing to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
- Don’t overmix after adding eggs – Overmixing adds too much air, which can lead to cracks while baking.
- Let it cool completely before chilling -Cooling at room temperature first helps prevent cracks and gives the cheesecake the perfect creamy texture.

FAQ
Can I freeze blackberry cheesecake?
Yes! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Why did my cheesecake crack?
Cracks can happen from overmixing, overbaking, or cooling too quickly. Using room temperature ingredients and cooling gradually helps prevent this.
How should I store leftover cheesecake?
Store leftover cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I use fresh blackberries instead of frozen?
Yes! Fresh blackberries work just as well – just cook them the same way to make the puree.

Variations
- Keto Blackberry Lime Cheesecake – Swap the sugar for a sugar substitute and use almond flour for the crust.
- Mini Cheesecakes – Use a muffin tin with liners for bite-sized treats.
- Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake – Add a layer of melted chocolate over the graham cracker crust before pouring in the batter.
More Recipes to Try
- Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
- Strawberry Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Dip
- No-Bake Cheesecake
- Dark Chocolate Cheesecake (Cheesecake Factory CopyCat)
- Vanilla Bean Cheesecake (Cheesecake Factory CopyCat)
This blackberry cheesecake recipe is one of my favorite desserts, especially when blackberries are in season. This baked blackberry cheesecake is creamy, smooth, and absolutely delicious. It just never disappoints. The printable recipe card is down below! Enjoy, friends! 🙂

Blackberry Swirl Cheesecake
Ingredients
for the crust-
- 1 1/2 cups graham crackers (about 9 rectangle sheets or 18 squares)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
for the blackberry puree-
- 16 oz blackberries frozen, thawed*, 2 cups
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup lemon juice fresh, about 1 lemon
for the cheesecake-
- 24 oz cream cheese softened, three 8 oz packages
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 eggs at room temperature
for the blackberry sauce drizzle-
- half of the blackberry puree from above
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Place oven racks in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350° F.
for the crust-
- Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and lining with parchment paper on bottom and sides. Spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray as well, and set aside.
- In a food processor, grind graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add granulated sugar and pulse a couple times to combine.
- While pulsating food processor, stream in melted butter until all crumbs are moist.
- Using the bottom of a cup, press graham cracker crumbs into the bottom and half way up the sides of the springform pan.
- Bake 7 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325° F.
for the blackberry puree (for swirling inside cheesecake AND for the blackberry sauce drizzle)-
- Place blackberries, granulated sugar, and lemon zest in a food processor or blender to puree.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the pureed blackberry mixture. Cook while stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely, about 5–7 minutes.
- Press blackberry puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. This should yield about 1 cup of puree. Discard seeds and set HALF of the blackberry puree aside to cool.
- Add the other half of the puree back to the small saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk in the cornstarch and cook for a few minutes until it thickens a bit, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
for the cheesecake-
- In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, mix cream cheese 30 seconds until smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and add in granulated sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
- Mix again until incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl VERY WELL and mix again briefly.
- Crack eggs into a separate bowl and whisk until well beaten. With the mixer on low, slowly pour the eggs into the cream cheese mixture and stop stirring once eggs have been incorporated.
- Remove bowl from mixer and scrape the sides and bottom again, ensuring the entire mixture is smooth. If there are a few small lumps, try to fold in using a rubber scraper.
- Once the batter is completely smooth and ready, tap the bowl on the counter for 30-45 seconds to remove as many air bubbles as possible. You should see them popping on the surface as you tap the bowl.
- Pour HALF of the cheesecake filling into the center of the graham cracker crust and gently smooth the top if needed.
- Next add half of the blackberry puree, using a spoon to drop small dollops evenly over the surface of the cheesecake mixture. Space them out across the top to ensure the puree is distributed evenly.
- Gently drag a butter knife or a skewer through the dollops of blackberry puree in a swirling motion. Be careful not to over mix or run into the graham cracker crust. Aim for a marbled pattern by moving the knife back and forth to create delicate swirls.
- Pour the remaining half of the cheesecake mixture overtop the blackberry swirls.
- Then, add the rest of the blackberry puree in dollops just like before and create swirls again.
- Bake at 325° F for 30 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 250° F and bake for another 30 minutes.
- Once this time has elapsed, turn oven off and keep cheesecake inside for another 30 minutes for some carryover cooking without opening the oven door.
- Crack oven door to let cheesecake cool slowly for 1 hour before removing. At this point, cheesecake should be slightly warm.
- Bring cheesecake to room temperature on the counter (3-4 hours) before covering with plastic wrap and transferring to the fridge.
- When ready to serve, open springform pan and remove collar. Cut cheesecake into slices and serve with a healthy drizzle of blackberry sauce.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.






I normally make a Juniors NY Cheesecake. Trying this one for the first time. It’s a little different than a Juniors Cheesecake. Less sugar, three packages of cream cheese instead of four, Sour cream added and no heavy whipping cream. I will post my results when the final product is finished. Enjoy It !!!
Made this yesterday for my husband’s birthday today. It is incredible. I’m not a huge cheesecake fan, but this one is delicious. Such an easy recipe to follow with such yummy results. Thanks, Lauren!
I’ve been making your cheesecake recipe for a couple of years now, and it’s the easiest. Thank you!
I’ve never had a springform pan but have found that a large glass pie mold works the same, but place it inside a glass casserole dish with boiling water. It has turned out beautifully and always sets.
This is a wonderful cheesecake! And my first time making NY cheesecake. I actually solved the water seepage problem when I decided to halve the recipe for a 6″ cake pan which was not springform. I put foil on the inside so I could lift the cake out. Sides had foil crumple pattern, but crust was excellent.
Lauren, I made this for Easter. Love, love, loved it! So easy and so good!
Made the cheesecake yesterday and OMG is it amazing! Only the 2nd time I’ve made one and this recipe was much easier than I recall my last attempt being. It is a little tricky to keep the water from seeping into the pan. I used plenty of heavy duty tin foil and duct tape, but still looked like a little water made it’s way in. Serving it at a dinner party tonight and just had to sample a piece last night…you know… just to make sure! If any water did seep in, it sure didn’t affect the consistency or taste. All I can say is Wow! This cheesecake is the most perfect, creamy-deliciousness I’ve ever tasted. Can’t wait to serve it tonight! Taking every ounce of will power I have not to eat it for breakfast this morning 😉
Thank you Lauren!
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May sound crazy but I got twice as many rave reviews when my water actually leaked a little bit into the cheesecake. It came out softer and everyone loved it. I now make them that way on purpose, all the girls at work think I’m the cheesecake guru!
I love cheesecake but am satisfied after about 2 bites. I have made it a couple times.
Oh! your cheesecake looks wonderful! I’m just a lover of them…not one of those weirdos!
Your photos are INCREDIBLE!!!
This looks absolutely gorgeous! Love the blackberries.
I made a cheesecake for Christmas, simply because it was one of the easiest desserts I could think of and I was going for easy! That sauce looks amazing!!
Just pinned it….now I want some please.
Thanks for pinning! I’m addicted to pinterest…
Thanks for the invite Lauren. I’m just getting started on there but I’m seeing how it can totally suck you in!
Anything dripping with glossy blackberry sauce is fine by me. 🙂
Too funny. I am one of those people. . . . the ones that fear making cheesecake! I LOVE it, but I’ve always been to intimidated to try to make my own. I always just assumed it was too complicated. Now I’ll have to give it a try!
this looks beautiful! The blackberry is a nice touch 😀
I never think of cheesecake as “basic” so am chuckling at your title. You make it look so easy and so good!
I meant basic to mean ‘plain’. Just a plain cheesecake made with the bare basics. Nothing fancy mixed in.
Love this! That blackberry sauce is the perfect compliment to a creamy cheesecake.
I loooove cheesecake and this one looks perfect! I rarely make my own…bookmarking this so I can finally get on it!
Mmm, cheesecake. A close second to chocolate in my dessert books 🙂 My husband hates cream cheese but has nonetheless been won over completely to cheesecake…go figure. Now I have to share.
I’m so glad I wasn’t there to help you eat it! It also is my downfall; that, and your pastry with that cream cheese-type center….
Which one are you talking about? The tarts?
i made a cheesecake for christmas. always a good idea to make it for gatherings so i can’t eat the whole thing myself!
This is a fantastic recipe! I love cheesecake too and haven’t made it for the holidays this year. After seeing this recipe I am so in the mood for a piece (or two)! I think this would be simple and delicious for a small New Years Eve gathering we are hosting! Can’t wait to try!
The sour cream sounds like a great addition…I usually use heavy cream but will try it your way. It looks fabulous. We LOVE cheesecake!!
CHEEEEEESE cake. That is totally the opposite of what I need right now but totally what I want for lunch. 🙂
I had this for lunch yesterday!! Ha!
this looks so good… i love cheesecake. and cream cheese and sour cream is definitely the way to go which yields amazing cheesecake.
What an absolutely amazing looking cheesecake!
Oh, how I wish me and cheesecake baking got along! I can never get my water bathes to turn out! They always end up leaking and seeping into my spring form, giving me a perfect top crust and then goo down below ruining an otherwise divine crust. My egg nog cheesecake was my last unfortunate victim – even with a foil wrapping on my springform! *weeps softly to self* One day, it will rue the day it ever decided to leak and ruin a cheesecake. haha
Hope unpacking is going well!! ~Megan
Mine usually does that too. BUT, after a few failed attempts, I got it down. I get the heavy duty foil and do at least 3 layers. THEN, I add packing or duct tape. Kind of looks ridiculous, but at least I don’t get water seepage. There are those waterproof ones I’ve seen. A little more expensive, but worth the price!
I’m a little late in replying. After years of seepage I started using those plastic turkey roasting bags. I just set the pan in and roll down the edges. Works like a charm and no seepage!
Thanks for the Blackberry sauce recipe.
No need to hassle with a water bath. Put a standard cake pan 9 x 13 filled half way with hot water on the bottom oven rack place your cheesecake on the rack right above the hot water pan bake as directed works the same as a water bath without the mess of foil and leakage perfect cheesecake every time.
I love cheesecake. LOVE. But…I am always afraid of making it. I’m totally trying this recipe because I love blackberries too!!
So I’m not one of those weird non cheesecake people, mmmkay?
That is a beautiful cheesecake, I could eat the whole thing! Blackberries are my favorite.