When I was a kid, my grandma made the silkiest, dreamiest cheesecakes you could imagine. No boxed mixes, no shortcuts—just pure homemade goodness. She always said the secret was patience and fresh ingredients.
Now, I make my own version, but with a gluten-free crust that’s just as rich and buttery. And to top it off? A raspberry swirl so vibrant and tart, it balances every bite perfectly. This isn’t just dessert—this is comfort on a plate.
Serving & Presentation Tips
- Drizzle with extra raspberry sauce before serving.
- Top with fresh raspberries and a dusting of powdered sugar for a fancy touch.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Variations & Substitutions
- Dairy-Free? Use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Nut-Free? Swap almond flour for a mix of oat flour and crushed gluten-free graham crackers.
- Chocolate Lover? Add a layer of melted dark chocolate over the crust before pouring in the batter.

Gluten-Free Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 slices 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This rich and creamy cheesecake sits on a gluten-free almond flour crust and is swirled with a fresh raspberry sauce for a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. Every bite is smooth, luscious, and packed with homemade goodness.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, but adds warmth)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Cheesecake:
- 24 oz (3 blocks) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- ½ cup heavy cream
For the Raspberry Swirl:
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Crust
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together almond flour, sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until it resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
Step 2: Make the Raspberry Swirl
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir until the raspberries break down.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and cook for another 1-2 minutes until thickened. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve for a smoother sauce. Set aside to cool.
Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each.
- Mix in vanilla, sour cream, and heavy cream until fully combined.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
- Pour the cheesecake batter over the crust.
- Drop spoonfuls of the raspberry sauce on top and swirl with a toothpick or knife.
- Place the springform pan in a water bath (wrap the pan with foil and place it in a roasting pan filled with an inch of hot water).
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, until the center is slightly jiggly.
- Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let it cool for 1 hour.
- Chill for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
Notes
- The secret to a crack-free cheesecake? A slow bake and a little patience.
- If you don’t have fresh raspberries, frozen works just as well!
- Make it dairy-free by swapping out the cream cheese for a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (+ cooling time)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 95mg