Indulge in a slice of pure bliss with this incredibly easy and delicious no-bake cherry cheesecake. Imagine a creamy, dreamy cheesecake filling bursting with the sweet and tangy flavor of cherries, all nestled atop a buttery graham cracker crust. Best of all, you only need six simple ingredients to make this show-stopping dessert.
Now, I know cheesecake can seem intimidating to make. But this no-bake version is practically foolproof. The simple combination of cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk creates a rich filling that sets perfectly without fussy water baths or temperature monitoring.
With the added ease of a pre-made graham cracker crust, you can have this cheesecake ready to chill in just minutes. Whether hosting a summer barbecue, a holiday dinner party or just looking for a sweet treat to enjoy on a lazy weekend, this no-bake cherry cheesecake is a fabulous choice.
This vintage recipe came directly from a well-worn index card on which my grandma had scrawled it down. Now, deciphering my grandma’s recipe cards can be a bit of a puzzle! She seemed to feel every recipe should fit on the front of a card, so she’d leave steps out and frequently write both vertically and horizontally to squeeze it all in.
But I remembered her making this for us and how delicious it tasted on a hot summer day. So, I took the time to decipher it and recreated it for my family. It is amazing how something so simple can taste so incredible! It’s the kind of dessert that looks fancy and tastes gourmet but is incredibly simple.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to make this delicious no-bake dessert. I’ll also include my best serving ideas and tips. The creamy cheesecake, the buttery crust, the juicy cherries—it’s a dreamy dessert!
Are you looking for more accessible, no-bake dessert ideas? Try mandarin orange pie, frozen lemonade pie, or peanut butter chocolate pie!
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Cream cheese: Take it out of the fridge about an hour before you plan to make the cheesecake so it is nice and soft.
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Graham cracker crumb crust: A store-bought crust works perfectly here and saves you the hassle of crushing crackers and melting butter. You can make your own if you’re ambitious, but I’m all about shortcuts.
- Lemon juice: The tartness helps balance out the sweetness and adds a lovely fresh flavor that goes well with the cherries.
- Vanilla extract
- Cherry pie filling
🥣How to Make No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
- Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Use a hand or stand mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to ensure everything gets mixed evenly.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and blend thoroughly.
- Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Pour the cheesecake filling into the prepared graham cracker crust. Use your spatula to smooth out the top.
- Chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- When you’re ready to serve, pour the cherry pie filling over the top of the cheesecake.
🍴Serving Ideas
Once you add the pie filling your No Bake Cherry Cheesecake is ready to slice and serve. I love how impressive it looks with those bright red cherries on top, but the real magic happens when you take a bite.
Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to cut through the cheesecake cleanly, wiping the blade between each slice. Arrange the slices on pretty plates and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.
💭How to Store
Because this cheesecake contains dairy products, it’s important to keep it chilled as much as possible. Don’t leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than an hour or so, especially on a hot day.
But when stored properly, this No Bake Cherry Cheesecake will keep its perfect texture and flavor for days. Wrap the cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- I know I mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating—make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft before you start mixing. This will ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling that’s ready to slice and serve.
- For a fun twist on the classic, you can buy mini graham cracker crusts and make individual mini cheesecakes! The filling will make 10-12 mini cheesecakes.
- Got a gluten-free guest? Swap out the graham cracker crust for a gluten-free or simple nut crust.
- Give your cheesecake plenty of time to chill and set up in the fridge—at least 2 hours, but preferably longer. This will ensure a perfect slice-able texture and prevent any melty messes.
- The cherry pie filling is a classic choice, but feel free to switch things up and try different fruit toppings. Strawberry, blueberry, or even a mixed berry compote would all be delicious.
📝Reader Questions
While technically, you can use low-fat versions of these ingredients, I don’t recommend it. The cheesecake filling may not set up as firmly, and the texture may be less creamy and luxurious. If you want to lighten things up, I suggest serving a smaller slice and loading up on fresh fruit
toppings instead.
Yes, this cheesecake must chill for a few hours or overnight. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Of course! Swap out the graham cracker crust for a different type of cookie crust. Just make sure to use about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of cookie crumbs and 1/4 to 1/3 cup of melted butter to bind it all together.
⭐Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!
No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package cream cheese 8 ounces softened
- 1 9- inch graham cracker crumb crust
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 can cherry pie filling 21 ounces
Instructions
- Use a mixer to beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the condensed milk and blend thoroughly.1 package cream cheese, 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla.½ cup lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the cheesecake mixture into the pie crust. Place it in the fridge and chill for 2 hours.1 9- inch graham cracker crumb crust
- Pour the cherry pie filling over the top before serving.1 can cherry pie filling
Notes
- Make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft before you start mixing. This will ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling that’s ready to slice and serve.
- For a fun twist on the classic, you can buy mini graham cracker crusts and make individual mini cheesecakes! The filling will make 10-12 mini cheesecakes.
- Switch things up and try different fruit toppings. Strawberry, blueberry, or even a mixed berry compote would all be delicious.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.