October 24, 2023
Review RecipeEasy Cherry Cheesecake Recipe (No Bake)
Table of Contents
This no-bake cherry cheesecake is a classic crowd-pleaser that’s sweet and simple. It’s made from a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and sweet cherry pie topping.
Easy Cherry Cheesecake Recipe (No Bake) Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 9 graham cracker sheets (one sleeve)
- ½ cup of melted butter
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 16-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
- 8-ounce container of Cool Whip
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 1 (21-ounce) can of cherry pie filling
Substitutions And Additions
FILLING: This is a super versatile recipe. Swap out the can of cherry pie filling for your favorite pie filling — blueberry, peach, etc. — to change the flavor of this cheesecake.
CREAM CHEESE: Full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free cream cheese will all work in this delicious recipe.
WHIPPED TOPPING: You can either use a whipped topping such as Cool Whip or make your own homemade fresh whipped cream using our recipe found here. If you’d like to use a spray can of whipped cream, you can, although it will change the texture of this dessert.
How To Make A Cherry Cheesecake
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you’re looking to feed a crowd, this is an easy recipe to make and double. Simply double the ingredients and use a 9 x 13-inch pan. Be sure to line the pan with parchment paper for less mess when removing the bars.
STEP ONE: Place graham crackers in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. You can also place the graham crackers in a Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
STEP TWO: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.
STEP THREE: Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Chill in the refrigerator.
STEP FOUR: In a large bowl with a hand mixer, mix the softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture into an even layer over the top of the graham cracker crust. Chill for about 5 minutes.
PRO TIP:
Make sure that your cream cheese is softened before starting this step. If your cream cheese is too hard it can result in lumps in your cheesecake.
STEP 5: Spoon cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer. Gently spread out the cherries with a rubber spatula to cover the entire pan.
STEP 6: Chill for at least 4 hours. Slice and enjoy!
PRO TIP:
Cheesecake can stick to your knife when cutting it. If you’re having trouble, try coating your knife in nonstick cooking spray first.
How To Serve
The perfect way to enjoy this no-bake cherry cheesecake dessert is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or southern strawberry sweet tea would be perfect to wash your tasty treat down.
MORE DESSERT RECIPES
Looking for more ways to make cheesecake? This recipe is inspired by our popular original cheesecake. For more no-bake desserts, try our no-bake blueberry cheesecake.
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this delicious treat in an airtight container or in the baking dish covered in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 4 days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze this cheesecake after it has finished setting in the fridge. Just don’t add the cherry filling before freezing your cheesecake, wait to add it after defrosting. Chill your cheesecake for four hours, wrap it in plastic wrap or an airtight plastic bag, and freeze for up to three months. To defrost your cheesecake, let it thaw in the fridge. Top with cherry filling before serving.
Easy No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Recipe
I love cherry cheesecake with its creamy filling and sweet cherries, but traditional cheesecake is tons of work. This no-bake cheesecake allows you to enjoy those divine flavors with much less work. In my opinion, it is the perfect dessert!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cheesecake can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.
You could use any flavor of pie filling that is available in your local grocery store. Any kind would be delicious!
To get the cream cheese to room temperature quickly, cut the cream cheese into cubes and place it on a plate for about 20 minutes.
This cheesecake can be frozen for three months, although we recommend waiting to add the cherry pie filling on top until you are ready to serve.
Adding lemon juice to the cheesecake helps make it taste better, balancing out the fatty taste of the cream cheese. It also helps keep the cheesecake together by adding the necessary acidic acid to retain the structure.
Eggs are not needed when making a no-bake cheesecake recipe.
The cherry cheesecake will keep in the fridge for up to four days.
While it is a matter of personal preference, the opinion is that baked cheesecake is better as it has a superior taste and texture, while the no-bake cheesecake is softer with an almost mousse-like texture.
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Recipe for Cherry Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 9 graham cracker sheets, one sleeve
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 21 ounces cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Place graham crackers in the food processor and pulse into fine crumbs.
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.
- Line 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Chill in the refrigerator.
- In a large bowl, mix softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Spread into an even layer over the graham cracker crust. Chill for about 5 minutes.
- Spoon cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer. Gently spread out the cherries to cover the entire pan.
- Chill for at least 4 hours. Slice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make sure that your cream cheese is softened before starting this recipe. If your cream cheese is too hard it can result in lumps in your bars.
- If you’re looking to feed a crowd, this is an easy recipe to make and double. Simply double the ingredients and use a 9 x 13-inch pan. Be sure to line the pan with parchment paper for less mess when removing the bars.
- Cheesecake can stick to your knife when cutting it. If you’re having trouble, try coating your knife in nonstick cooking spray first.
Comments
Mary Jane Boyles says
Can this be made with sugar substitute instead of powder sugar?
Layne Kangas says
I have not tried it that way, so I don’t know if it will change the texture/consistency at all! I would assume if the substitute is supposed to be just like regular sugar, you should be fine.
Tammy Dobbelaar says
I have used Splenda before and it works great. Don’t use a whole cup though it would be too sweet. Maybe half. I don’t usually measure
Randie Blauth says
I have redi whip cream instead of cool whip. Will that work ?
Layne Kangas says
I think it will change the consistency of your finished dish because Redi Whip mixes differently instead of Cool Whip.
Mary says
Can you use fat free cream cheese
Layne Kangas says
Yes! Enjoy ๐
Debbie says
Hi! I would like to make this today. I bought gram crackers crumbs. How many cups is one sleeve of crushed gram crackers? Thank you!!
Layne Kangas says
Oh boy, I haven’t made it like that before, but I think it would be about 1 to 1.5 cups!
Sandi H says
I accidently bought cool whip lite can it be used in place of regular?
Layne Kangas says
Yes, you can! Enjoy!
Nancy says
Can you used a already made pre package gramcracker round pie shell you buy already made instead of making a gram cracker base 8 x 8 square ??
Layne Kangas says
You can buy graham crack crumbs in a box in the baking aisle – I would suggest using those for this recipe to make it easier!
Meagen says
I seen your comment about buying the already crushed graham crackers but can you use a Graham cracker crust that’s already made at the store for this recipe?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Meagen – we make this in a square dish and the crust at the store will be round. We haven’t tested this recipe using the pre-made round crust so I’m not sure if any adjustments would need to be made.
Gloria says
So delicious!!!!!
Joyce Brubaker says
Been looking for this recipe for a very long time. Lost mine in a house move. Thank you so much.
Pamela A Mowrer says
I love cheesecake plain or with my favorite topping of fresh strawberries.
Kathleen Hunt says
I make no bake cheesecake and my family loves it. This will be a new one to try. It looks delicious!
Pauline Gudas says
I prefer a classic cheesecake.