This no bake cheesecake recipe creates a delicious, indulgent Cool Whip cheesecake with sweet cherries over a buttery graham cracker crust. It's easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
When you're short on time, few things better than easy no-bake desserts!
Many of them can be made ahead, so they are ready and chilling in the fridge. This saves time, and you'll feel less rushed on the day of your gathering or event.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and light consistency. When you bake cheesecake filling, it can become heavy and dense. The non-dairy whipped topping in this no bake cheesecake filling makes it much lighter.
- Can be made ahead of time. Save time by making your dessert a day or two ahead of time. It will relieve some of your stress!
- Perfect for any occasion. This dessert is a crowd pleaser, whether you make for a birthday, bridal shower, or as a Valentine's Day dessert.
If Cool Whip dessert recipes are a favorite of yours, I have others, including chocolate cake mix cookies and no bake Oreo cheesecake.
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the graham cracker crust you'll need just a few simple ingredients:
- graham cracker crumbs: Crushing graham crackers to make crumbs is less expensive, or to save time, you can buy a package of graham cracker crumbs.
- brown sugar: The sugar adds flavor and moisture to the crust. You can use either light or dark brown sugar.
- ground cinnamon
- salted butter: If you don't have salted butter on hand, using unsalted works, but you might want to add a tiny pinch of salt to the graham cracker crumbs.
For the filling, you'll need:
- cream cheese: Full fat cream cheese will give the no bake cheesecake better flavor and the creamiest texture.
- Cool Whip: This is a non-dairy whipped topping, sold in the frozen food section. You can substitute it with any brand of non-dairy whipped topping, or even sweetened whipped cream.
- sour cream: Full fat sour cream is the best choice for this recipe. Light sour cream has too much water in it, which can cause the cheesecake filling to be too loose.
- fresh lemon juice: Avoid using concentrated lemon juice. If fresh lemons are difficult to find, in a pinch, you can use lime juice, or even freshly squeezed orange juice.
- granulated sugar
- vanilla extract
- cherry pie filling: Feel free to use homemade pie filling, or even a different flavor of cheesecake topping. If you prefer not to have a topping, you can serve it plain. plain. Delicious topping ideas include: chocolate or caramel sauce, mini chocolate chips, and apple filling , blueberry filling, or peach pie filling.
- Combine this recipe and our Nutella Pie. If you add the cherry filling on top of the nutella pie - the combo is surprisingly delicious!
How to Make Cherry No Bake Cheesecake
Summary only. The complete recipe instructions are in the card at the bottom of this post ⬇️
- Make the crust.
- Make the filling.
- Pour filling over the crust.
- Add cherries, then refrigerate until the filling is set.
Liz's Tips for the Best No Bake Cheesecake
- Use a springform pan for easy serving. If you try to make this in a standard cake pan, it will be very difficult to slice cleanly.
- Firmly press the crust mixture into the pan. Because the crust isn't baked, you want to be sure to pack the mixture well. It helps to use the flat bottom of a glass or measuring cup.
- Refrigerate the dessert long enough to allow the filling to set up. It is best to chill it for at least 6 hours, but 8 to 12 hours is ideal. You can even let it stay there overnight.
- Wrap in plastic wrap before freezing. This recipe includes dairy products, which generally don't freeze well. To avoid freezer burn, be sure to wrap it well, or even better, store it in an airtight container.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Refrigerator: Keep your no bake cherry cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Keep it covered, to prevent it from absorbing flavors from nearby foods.
Freezing: Without toppings, the cheesecake can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing/serving. If you want a topping on your cheesecake, add it to the cake just before serving.
No Bake Cheesecake Recipe FAQ
Patience is key with cheesecake, even ones that aren't baked. The dessert needs to chill in a refrigerator for several hours to set up properly.
No bake cheesecake will stay fresh for up to 7 days. It's best enjoyed in 3-4 days.
This recipe doesn't call for the crust to be baked. The purpose of no bake desserts is to avoid using an oven.
Other Easy No Bake Desserts
- Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
- Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies
- No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Cherry No Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cups light brown sugar lightly packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup salted butter melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 32 ounces cream cheese (4 blocks), softened to room temperature
- 2 cups Cool Whip (8 oz container) or other non-dairy whipped topping
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice about ½ lemon
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Topping
- 2½ cups cherry pie filling (21 oz can), or homemade pie filling of choice
Instructions
Make the Crust
- Add graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter to a medium bowl. Using a large mixing spoon, stir to combine.Pour the crust mixture into a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan. Using the bottom of a measuring cup or drinking glass with a flat bottom, firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.The crust should not be crumbly, or it will fall apart when sliced.
- Let the crust rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the filling.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
- To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, (or use a large mixing bowl and electric hand mixer), add cream cheese, Cool Whip, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, and vanilla.
- Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, until mixture is creamy, with no lumps of cream cheese.
- Pour filling into cooled graham cracker crust. Use an offset spatula or back of a mixing spoon to smooth the top. Spoon cherries over the top.
Helpful Notes and Tips From Liz
- Feel free to use a different topping. Use any topping(s) that you like! If you prefer not to have a topping, you can serve it plain. Delicious topping ideas include: chocolate or caramel sauce, mini chocolate chips, and apple filling , blueberry filling, or peach pie filling.
- Refrigerate long enough to allow the filling to set up. It is best to refrigerate for at least 6 hours, but 8 to 12 hours is ideal.
Anne
Just a quick question is there 805 calories in one slice?
Liz @ Tasty Treats & Eats
That was a typo! I just fixed it - it's 530 calories per slice.
Annette Young
What do you do with the sour cream
lifebeginswithdessert
Hello! Sorry! You whip it together with the whipped topping and cream cheese 🙂 Adding it in now.