These no-bake berry cheesecake parfaits are what happens when a stunning dessert table moment meets a five-minute assembly job. Layers of creamy cheesecake filling, fresh strawberries, and blueberries stack up inside shot glasses into something that looks like it belongs at a catered event, not your kitchen counter at 10 p.m. the night before a party.
The red, white, and blue layering makes them an obvious fit for the Fourth of July or Memorial Day, but honestly, these work just as well for Mother’s Day brunch, a bridal shower, or any occasion where you need something that photographs beautifully and disappears fast.
I’m a big fan of mini desserts for parties because no one has to ask for a slice, no one has to feel like they took too much, and if you put out two or three different options, guests can try a little of everything without committing to a full portion. These shot glass parfaits check every box.
If you’ve ever shied away from serving cheesecake for a crowd because the whole “springform pan, water bath, please don’t crack” situation feels like a lot, this recipe is perfect. You get a simple graham cracker base and enough fresh fruit to make it feel like you tried really hard. You didn’t, but no one needs to know that.
Below, I’ll walk you through exactly how to layer these up, tips for making them ahead, and a few easy variations. You will love that you can whip them up in about 15 minutes flat, there is no oven required, and everyone gets their own mini dessert!
Looking for more mini dessert ideas? Try my recipes for mini lemon tarts, blueberry pie bites, or mini pavlova.
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Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Graham crackers: Either regular honey, cinnamon, or chocolate graham crackers work.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s at room temperature before you start.
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Whipped cream
How to Make No-Bake Cheesecake Parfait
- In your mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Beat everything together until it’s smooth and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice to ensure everything is incorporated evenly.
- In another mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. This will take about 3-6 minutes on high, depending on your mixer. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Add your graham crackers to a food processor and pulse until they’re fine crumbs.
- Hull your strawberries by cutting off the green tops, then slice them into small pieces. I like to cut mine into quarters or smaller so they layer nicely.
- Spoon some graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of 12 tall shot glasses. You don’t need a ton here, just enough to create a thin base layer. I usually do about a tablespoon per glass, but you can eyeball it.
- Drop several strawberry pieces on top of the graham cracker crumbs in each glass. Again, you’re looking for a nice layer without overfilling, since you still need room for the cheesecake mixture and blueberries on top.
- Spoon your cream cheese mixture into a plastic baggie and snip off one corner with scissors. This creates a makeshift piping bag that makes filling these glasses so much easier and less messy. Pipe the mixture into each glass, filling them to the top but leaving a little room for toppings. The piping bag gives you control and keeps the glass sides clean.
- Add a handful of fresh blueberries on top of the cream cheese layer, then finish each parfait with a small dollop of whipped cream.
Serving Ideas
These little parfaits are absolutely fabulous for entertaining. I love making them ahead for summer gatherings because they’re fancy enough to impress your guests, yet easy to make. Serving them in shot glasses keeps portions controlled and makes cleanup easier.
Small desserts in individual serving sizes are a great way to indulge without guilt! A huge piece of cheesecake is too heavy for a summer dessert. But a small jar of creamy cheesecake is just right, especially when it includes fresh seasonal fruit like blueberries and strawberries.
For holiday entertaining, these patriotic parfaits shine on the Fourth of July or Memorial Day. The red, white, and blue layers look intentional and festive without requiring any decorating skills.
For everyday desserts, don’t worry about the patriotic theme; swap the berries for what you have on hand. Raspberries work beautifully in place of strawberries. Blackberries can stand in for blueberries. Or use one type of berries. The formula stays the same; only the colors change.
For a brunch setting, these work wonderfully alongside coffee and pastries. They’re light enough not to weigh anyone down after breakfast, but they feel special enough for company.
How to Store
These parfaits keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making them perfect for advanced entertaining. I assemble mine the morning of serving, and they stay fresh and creamy the entire day. That means more time socializing with your friends, not working in a hot kitchen.
In the fridge, store them in an airtight container or cover them in plastic wrap. Wait to add the whipped cream topping until just before serving, or it will deflate and look sad.
Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start mixing.
- When you’re mixing the whipped cream, don’t overmix it. Beat it just until soft peaks form before adding it to the cream cheese mixture.
- For piping the cream cheese mixture into the shot glasses, use a sturdy freezer bag rather than a flimsy sandwich bag.
- Don’t pack the layers too tightly. You want distinct color stripes when people look at their glasses, and you want each component to shine.
- Shot glasses work great for parties, but you can also use small mason jars, cordial glasses, or even clear plastic cups if you’re taking these to a picnic. The key is using something transparent so everyone can see those gorgeous red, white, and blue layers.
- This recipe makes 12 servings in shot glasses, which is perfect for a crowd. But if you’re making these for a smaller group and want bigger portions, you can easily assemble them in 6-8 regular-sized glasses instead. Just adjust your layers accordingly and maybe add an extra strawberry layer in the middle.
- You can use a different type of cookie or cracker for the base, such as shortbread or vanilla wafers. You can also leave out that layer completely and just layer fruit and the cheesecake mixture.
- Since these are made in shot glasses, you will need long dessert spoons or disposable mini-spoons so everyone can reach the bottom of the glass.
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No-Bake Cheesecake Parfait
Ingredients
- 5 graham crackers crushed
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pint strawberries
- 1 pint blueberries
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Whip the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a mixer until well combined.8 ounces cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Whip the heavy cream in a stand mixer until soft peaks form, about 4-6 minutes.1 cup heavy cream
- Carefully fold the heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture. Put the cheesecake mixture in the refrigerator while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Crush the graham crackers in a food processor or in a ziploc bag with a rolling pin.5 graham crackers
- Slice the strawberries into small pieces.1 pint strawberries
- Put some of the graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of 12 shot glasses.
- Add a layer of strawberries to the glasses.
- Put the cream cheese mixture into a baggie and cut off the tip. Use that to pipe the mixture into the shot glasses, filling most of the way to the top.
- Add blueberries on top and a little bit of whipped cream.1 pint blueberries, whipped cream
Notes
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start mixing.
- When you’re mixing the whipped cream, don’t overmix it. Beat it just until soft peaks form before adding it to the cream cheese mixture.
- Shot glasses work great for parties, but you can also use small mason jars, cordial glasses, or even clear plastic cups if you’re taking these to a picnic.
- You can use a different type of cookie or cracker for the base, such as shortbread or vanilla wafers. You can also leave out that layer completely and just layer fruit and the cheesecake mixture.
- Since these are made in shot glasses, you will need long dessert spoons or disposable mini-spoons so everyone can reach the bottom of the glass.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Now a day, I see that. And I want to say thank to you
This looks yummy. Can you prepare this a day before? I’m thinking of doing this for a baby shower at my home.
I am using cream cheese spread and I notice the consistency is a bit soupy; as apposed to using the brick of cc, which would probably make it thicker. Can you suggest what I can do to make my consistency less soupy, w/o starting over again using bricks. Thank you