No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheesecake, cherry cheesecake, no bake cheesecake

Prep Time: 12

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 50

Servings:

Calories: 714kcal

This delicious No Bake Cherry Cheesecake recipe is the perfect cool and creamy summer treat! Enjoy sweet and juicy cherry filling, smooth and creamy no bake cheesecake and everyone’s favorite graham cracker crust! Assemble in small containers or one large trifle for a party. You can make elements of this recipe ahead of time, or enjoy it right away. Happy no-baking!

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Ingredients

Cherry Filling

2 cups cherries fresh or frozen, pitted and cut in half
½ cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon corn starch

Cheesecake Layer

1 cup heavy whipping cream
¾ cup powdered sugar divided
8 ounces cream cheese 1 block
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 graham crackers full sized, crushed

Instructions

Prepare the cherry filling

Wash and pit cherries, then cut in half (and then measure).
2 cups cherries
In a medium sized saucepan, add water and lemon juice and warm over medium heat.
½ cup water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice
In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and cornstarch with a whisk. Then, add the sugar and starch to the warm pan of liquid and stir (with a whisk) to combine. Cook 1-2 minutes.
½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon corn starch
Add cherries and continue to cook, while stirring gently, until the sauce thickens.
Remove pan from heat and allow sauce to cool. To aid in cooling, pour the partially cooled sauce into a bowl and move to the fridge.
The sauce can be stored in the fridge (in a jar or sealed container) up to 1 week.

Prepare the cheesecake

Chill your mixing bowl and beaters by placing in the freezer for 5-10 minutes (this helps the whipped cream whip up faster).
Add the heavy whipping cream to the chilled mixing bowl and beat until it begins to thicken.
1 cup heavy whipping cream
While mixing, slowly add 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Continue to beat until the mixture is thickened and holds a stiff peak. Do not over beat or it will become overly thick an clumpy. Scoop the whipped cream into a bowl and put in the fridge.
¾ cup powdered sugar
In the empty mixing bowl (no need to wash), add cream cheese and beat until smooth. Continue mixing and add the remaining (1/2 cup) powdered sugar, and the vanilla extract.
8 ounces cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Stop mixing and add a large scoop of the prepared whipped cream into the bowl. Blend on low speed to incorporate. Add remaining whipped cream and blend gently, just until fully combined.
Use immediately, or cover and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day.

Assemble the desserts

Add a spoonful of graham cracker crumbs to the bottom of each dish.
5 graham crackers
Top with a layer of cheesecake filling. For neat assembly, you may want to add the prepared cheesecake filling to a large piping bag, or large ziplock type bag with a corner cut off.
Add a layer of cherry filling. Be sure the filling is cool. Do not begin dessert assembly until the filling is cool.
Add a second layer of cheesecake.
Top with cherry filling and some graham cracker crumbs for garnish.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate completed desserts for up to 4 hours. If you're not serving the desserts right away, omit the top graham cracker crumbs until just before serving.

Notes

Storage Information

Refrigerator: Store in the fridge for up to 4 hours, covered. If you’re not serving them right away and opt to store them in the fridge for a few hours, omit the graham cracker crumb topping until just before serving.

Make Ahead: You can make the cherry filling and store it in the fridge in a sealed container for up to a week, and the cheesecake portion can set in the fridge (covered) for a day.

The cheesecake filling as listed will be enough for 4-6 small dessert servings. You will have plenty of cherry filling left over. Feel free to double the cheesecake portion for a larger gathering, and you can keep the cherry filling amounts as listed.

Leftover cherry filling is perfect for topping pancakes, waffles or vanilla ice cream.

Equipment Needed (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer) | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Weck Jars

I prepared this dessert in pretty Weck Jars (available on Amazon), but feel free to use any small jars or dishes you like.

Please see post above for more information, recipe tips and frequently asked questions.

Nutrition