This no bake cherry cheesecake is such an easy and amazing no bake dessert. The combination of a graham cracker crust with creamy cheesecake filling, then topped with cherry pie filling makes this classic dessert irresistible.

cheesecake square with graham cracker crust and cherries on top

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No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

I love this recipe. People think cheesecake is hard to make, but this version couldn’t be easier and it’s foolproof. Just a few simple ingredients like cream cheese and whipped topping make the most incredible cheesecake layer.

Top it with cherry pie filling and it’s the best cheesecake dessert!

I make this for my own family and family gatherings. If you have a large family at holidays or celebrations you might want to make two. It goes fast! It doesn’t take much time for the cheesecake to set, so it’s a great dessert.

This no bake cherry cheesecake dessert is a great potluck recipe too because it’s in an easy portable disk and is cut in bar shapes.

Cheesecake Ingredients

ingredients on white wooden counter: crushed graham crackers, whipped topping, two blocks cream cheese, can of cherry pie filling, powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, lemon juice, salt, and sugar

For the crust:

graham crackers – you’ll need a sleeve, about 9
sugar – only 2 tablespoons, but this is what helps glue the crust in place
salt – helps counter the sweetness
butter – use unsalted. It’s melted and creates a glue for the graham crackers

For the cheesecake layer:

cream cheese – use two whole blocks of softened cream cheese
powdered sugar – this adds sweetness without the graininess of granulated sugar
whipped topping – one container of frozen whipped topping like Cool Whip, thawed
vanilla extract– adds tons of flavor
lemon juice – use a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
cherry pie filling – one can of cherry pie filling. You can also make your own homemade cherry pie filling.

How to Make No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

Skip the traditional springform pan and line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper, letting the parchment fold over two sides of the dish. This will allow you to pull the cheesecake out of the pan later.

Step One: Make the Graham Cracker Crust

pouring melted butter into bowl with crushed graham crackers and sugar

In food processor, pulse graham crackers until they are small crumbles. If you don’t have a food processor, put the crackers in a zip top back and hit them with a mallet or other kitchen object.

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter.

crushed graham crackers with butter pressed into the bottom of a square baking dish

Press the graham mixture into bottom layer of the baking dish, pressing until firm. Place in refrigerator to chill while you make the cheesecake filling.

Step Two: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

cream cheese mixture in mixing bowl with mixer

In a separate bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese until soft, mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon. Stir until smooth.

With a rubber spatula, fold in Cool Whip until combined and smooth.

cream cheese mixture being spread on top of graham cracker crust

Pour cream cheese filling on top of the graham cracker crust. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 4-6 hours or overnight.

Top with cherry pie filling before serving.

Can You Freeze No Bake Cheesecake?

Yes, you can freeze this dessert, although to be honest I don’t think it will last long enough for you to need to freeze it. It will hold up in the refrigerator for nearly a week. If you still have some left and want to freeze it, just cover the completely chilled dish with plastic wrap and freeze.

Remove from freezer and let thaw in the refrigerator.

Do I Need to Bake the Graham Cracker Crust?

This is no bake graham cracker crust. It just needs to be chilled for the butter to solidify with the graham cracker crumbs. Some recipes do bake it for a few minutes, but it’s not necessary.

two slices removed from baking dish, showing inside of cheesecake

Suggestions and Alternatives

This is the perfect recipe, but you can swap things out to change it up.

blueberry pie – change out the pie filling flavor to make a blueberry cheesecake
fresh fruit – cut up fresh fruit to put on top of the cheesecake layer
chocolate cookie crust – swap out Oreo cookies for the graham crackers to make an Oreo cookie crust.

This cheesecake is the perfect way to celebrate so many special occasions and holidays like Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but because it’s no bake it’s great as a summertime dessert too! It’s creamy filling and cherry topping make the perfect dessert any time of year.

We love easy dessert recipes: try another great recipe, our strawberry pie

More No Bake Dessert Favorites

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