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This bubblegum cheesecake is a fun and festive dessert that brings a pop of color and playful flavor to any gathering. The velvety pink filling infused with bubblegum essence paired with crunchy gumball pieces creates a unique treat that everyone remembers. With its creamy texture and eyecatching presentation, it’s perfect for birthdays, parties, or anytime you want to add a little whimsy to your dessert table.
I first made this cheesecake for a summer birthday party and loved how the kids’ faces lit up when they saw the bright colors and gumball topping. Since then, it’s become a go to whenever I want a cheerful, nofuss dessert.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crumbs: for a buttery, crisp crust look for finely ground crumbs for even texture
- Sugar: to sweeten the crust and filling use regular granulated for the crust and powdered sugar for smoothness in the filling
- Butter: melted to bind the crust choose unsalted for better control of sweetness
- Cream cheese: softened for a smooth, creamy texture that forms the body of the cheesecake
- Heavy cream: to lighten the filling and add richness fresh high fat cream is best
- Vanilla extract: for subtle warmth and balance
- Neon pink food coloring gel: to achieve that signature bubblegum shade without altering the flavor gel colors are more concentrated and won’t thin the filling
- Gumballs: folded in for bursts of flavor and playful texture pick fresh colorful gumballs for decoration too
- Topping ingredients: additional butter and cream cheese create a fluffy frosting partnered with powdered sugar and heavy cream for consistency and sweetness
Instructions
- Line the Pan:
- Line the bottom of a 7inch springform pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier later.
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs with the sugar and melted butter mixing until everything is evenly moistened. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the springform pan to build a solid crust. Place the pan in the freezer to set while you prepare the filling.
- Mix the Filling:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer blend the softened cream cheese with both sugars and the heavy cream on low speed until smooth without lumps. Add the vanilla extract and mix again to incorporate fully. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to avoid any unmixed bits. Add neon pink food coloring gel gradually mixing thoroughly until you reach your desired shade of bright pink. Fold in the gumballs gently so they are evenly distributed without breaking.
- Assemble and Freeze:
- Pour the creamy pink filling over the chilled crust in the pan. Smooth the top with a spatula and place the cheesecake in the freezer overnight or at least several hours to set firmly.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In a clean mixing bowl whip softened butter and cream cheese with a whisk attachment until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and heavy cream and beat well. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar in batches mixing on low until smooth and creamy. Add neon pink food coloring gel drop by drop until the frosting matches your filling’s vibrant color.
- Pipe and Decorate:
- Spoon the frosting onto a piece of plastic wrap and roll it into a long ribbon. Cut one end of the wrap and insert it into a pastry bag fitted with a whipped cream tip. Pipe fluffy swirls of frosting around the edge of the cheesecake for a decorative border. Top with colorful gumballs to create a playful finish.
- Freeze and Serve:
- Return the cheesecake to the freezer until you are ready to slice and serve. Carefully remove the springform pan’s sides before cutting into pieces roughly two inches wide. Enjoy immediately or keep chilled.
I always enjoy making this cheesecake because the kids in my family are fascinated by the gumballs embedded within and the bright color always makes special occasions feel a bit more magical.
Storage Tips
To keep your cheesecake at its best store it covered tightly in the freezer or refrigerator. Wrap it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil if freezing for extra protection against freezer burn. Before serving thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours to soften slightly. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for long periods as the cream cheese filling can soften too much.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you cannot find neon pink gel food coloring you can try blending red and white gel colors carefully to create a similar shade but expect slight variations. For the crust you could use crushed vanilla wafers instead of graham crackers for a different flavor profile. Heavy whipping cream can be replaced with fullfat coconut cream for a dairyfree version though the texture might change slightly.
Serving Suggestions
This cake shines when served chilled alongside fresh berries or a light vanilla sauce to balance the sweetness. Small slices are perfect on dessert plates for parties or as a fun centerpiece for kids’ birthdays. Pair with a simple sparkling water or milk to complement the richness.
This bubblegum cheesecake is a bright playful dessert that makes celebrations more festive. Serve chilled in small slices for the best balance of texture and sweetness.
Your Recipe Questions Answered
- → What gives the cheesecake its pink color?
Neon pink food coloring gel is blended into the filling and frosting to achieve the vibrant pink hue.
- → How is the bubblegum flavor incorporated?
The flavor comes from folding bubblegum-flavored gumballs into the creamy filling and decorating the top with gumballs.
- → What type of crust is used?
A crunchy graham cracker crust made from crumbs, sugar, and melted butter forms the base of this cheesecake.
- → How should the cheesecake be prepared ahead of time?
After assembling, freeze the cheesecake overnight to set the filling firmly before frosting and decorating.
- → What equipment is needed for the frosting decoration?
A stand mixer, pastry bag, and a whipped cream tip are used to pipe fluffy frosting dollops along the edges.