Description
This no bake cherry cheesecake combines a creamy, fluffy cheesecake layer with a juicy cherry filling and a crunchy graham cracker crust. It’s an easy, oven-free dessert perfect for summer gatherings or quick indulgent treats.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherries (fresh or frozen), pitted and halved
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup powdered sugar, divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese (1 block), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 full-sized graham crackers, crushed
Instructions
- Prepare the cherry filling: Wash, pit, and halve the cherries. Combine water and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch, then stir into the liquid and cook 1–2 minutes. Add cherries and continue cooking gently until thickened. Cool completely.
- Make the cheesecake layer: Chill the mixing bowl and beaters for 5–10 minutes. Whip cream until it just begins to thicken, then slowly add ¼ cup powdered sugar and beat to stiff peaks. Refrigerate. In the same bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth, then add the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy. Gently fold in whipped cream until fully combined.
- Assemble: Spoon a layer of graham cracker crumbs into each jar or dish. Pipe or spoon a layer of cheesecake mixture, then a layer of cooled cherry filling. Repeat cheesecake layer, and top with more cherry filling and crushed crumbs just before serving. Serve immediately or chill up to 4 hours.
Notes
- Chill cheesecake and cherry filling ahead to save time on the day of serving.
- Don’t assemble too far in advance to keep the crust crisp.
- Can be adapted with different fruits or crusts for variety.
- Use fully softened cream cheese and cold whipping cream for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jar
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
