Description

This No-Bake Strawberry Galaxy Mirror Cake is a stunning cosmic-inspired dessert featuring a creamy strawberry cheesecake base topped with a vibrant, shiny galaxy mirror glaze. Perfect for celebrations and sure to impress with its breathtaking look and luscious flavor, it requires no baking and is great for all skill levels.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cheesecake Base

2 cups crushed graham crackers (or digestive biscuits)
½ cup melted unsalted butter
16 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup strawberry purée (fresh or thawed frozen strawberries)
½ cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks

For the Mirror Glaze

½ cup water, divided
1 tbsp powdered gelatin
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
4 oz white chocolate, finely chopped
Gel food coloring: black, purple, pink, blue
Optional: edible silver shimmer dust mixed with clear alcohol or lemon extract

Instructions

Make the Crust: Combine finely crushed graham crackers with melted unsalted butter in a bowl, stirring until fully coated. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a lined 8-inch springform pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to compact it tightly. Chill the crust in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to set.
Make the Strawberry Filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing again until combined. Pour in the strawberry purée and mix on low speed until uniform pink batter forms. In a separate clean bowl, whip heavy cream to soft peaks, then carefully fold the whipped cream into the strawberry-cheese mixture with a spatula, turning gently from bottom to avoid deflating the air. Pour this mixture over the chilled crust and smooth the top. Cover and freeze the cake for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight until solid.
Make the Mirror Glaze: Sprinkle powdered gelatin over ¼ cup of cold water in a small bowl and let it bloom for 5 to 10 minutes until spongy. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining ¼ cup water, granulated sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm but not boiling. Remove from heat and add the bloomed gelatin, stirring until completely dissolved. Place finely chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl, pour the hot syrup mixture over it, and let sit for one minute. Whisk gently until smooth, silky, and fully melted. Strain the glaze through a fine-mesh sieve to remove lumps and bits. Allow the glaze to cool to approximately 90°F (32°C), stirring occasionally, until it feels like warm bath water, perfect for pouring.
Color and Pour the Galaxy: Divide the warm glaze evenly into 4-5 small bowls. Tint each bowl with gel food coloring—black, deep purple, vibrant pink, sky blue—and leave one bowl white or very pale. Place the frozen cake on an elevated wire rack over a baking sheet to catch drips. Quickly and randomly pour the different colored glazes over the top, allowing them to puddle and merge naturally. With a small offset spatula or skewer, gently swirl the glaze once or twice to create marbled cosmic patterns—avoid overmixing to prevent muddiness. Use a clean spatula to coax excess glaze down the sides of the cake. Optionally, brush or flick edible silver shimmer dust mixed with alcohol or lemon extract over the surface for starry sparkles.
Set and Serve: Let the glaze set at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. Run a warm, clean knife gently around the edges of the springform pan before unlocking and removing the ring. For clean, perfect slices, dip the knife in hot water and wipe it dry between cuts. Serve slightly chilled, optionally garnished with fresh strawberries or whipped cream.

Notes

The cake must be completely frozen solid before applying the glaze to prevent melting.
The mirror glaze temperature is critical; it should be warm (around 90°F/32°C), not hot, for perfect pouring and finish.
Always use gel or paste food coloring to maintain glaze consistency; liquid colors will thin the glaze undesirably.
A narrow wire rack helps the glaze drip evenly and prevents pooling underneath the cake.
Clean your knife with hot water between slices for neat and professional-looking cuts.
The cake can be made ahead and stored frozen unglazed for up to 2 weeks; glaze just before serving.
Variations include mixed berry puree for filling, lemon curd additions, or a chocolate crust and filling twist.
A dairy-free version can be made substituting vegan butter, dairy-free cream cheese, coconut cream, and vegan white chocolate, following the same process.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes (for glaze preparation; no baking involved)
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: no-bake cheesecake, mirror glaze cake, strawberry cheesecake, galaxy cake, mirror glaze, no-bake dessert, cosmic cake, kids dessert, party cake