Philadelphia cheesecake recipe easy no bake is a delicious pie with a sweet, creamy filling. It’s easy to make and doesn’t require baking if you use cream cheese. This no-fuss pie has the best of both worlds with its fluffy and smooth custard mousse filling and an easy graham cracker crust. It doesn’t take much time or effort to make this decadent dessert.
No-bake cheesecakes are the best! This recipe will give you a light and fluffy dessert that can be set up in just minutes. Unlike traditional cakes, these desserts don’t need baking before serving which means they taste even fresher than ever with no heavy feeling afterwards. So easy to make too; all ingredients come together quickly for this perfect treat every time. So, if you’re looking for a new way to make an easy dessert, this is an excellent option.
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What’s the Difference Between Baked and No-Bake Cheesecake?
There has been a debate about whether cheesecake should be baked or no baked. Cheesecakes are perfect for people who want something sweet but not too much, and they contain both whipped cream and cream cheese to make it all together unforgettable.
A baked cheesecake has eggs and a signature velvety smooth texture with a slight tang because of the added cream cheese.
While the no bake version sets up by chilling in a refrigerator and has a lighter and fluffier texture than the baked version. A no-baked cheesecake has a mousse-like appearance with a soft texture.
Each type of cheesecake is delicious in their own way with their unique tastes and textures. For me, it often comes down to how much I want to fuss with making a dessert and how I will be serving the pie.
How To Make No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe
No Bake Cheesecake is fantastic for parties or special occasions where you want to impress guests, but not be stuck in the kitchen the day of the event. In this recipe both the crust and the filling are completely “no bake” and only need a few minutes of prep. However, if you prefer to bake your crust, I have directions for that too.
What Ingredients Do You Need for a Philadelphia Cheesecake Recipe No Bake?
Here are the ingredients you will need for your no bake cheesecake recipe.
For the Crust
Graham Cracker Crumbs, Butter, and Granulated Sugar. Combine the ingredients and press into a pie pan. Chill in the refrigerator while you make the filling; 30-60 minutes to set. If you are in a hurry, place the pie tin in the freezer for 10 minutes to set up. Proceed with the rest of your recipe.
No Bake Cheesecake Filling
Just 4 simple ingredients are needed. In a medium bowl combine Granulated Sugar, Whipped Topping or Whipping Cream (whipped), Softened Room Temperature Cream Cheese, and Pure Vanilla Extract. Using a hand-held mixer combine the sugar, vanilla extract, and cream cheese at low speed until creamy and well combined. Fold in the whipped topping.
Transfer to the chilled pie crust. Place in the refrigerator 30-60 minutes to set.
Serve with your favorite topping on individual cheesecake slices.
If you like no bake desserts, this Kool Aid pie is a delicious, fun and easy recipe that the whole family enjoys. Here is another no bake cheesecake recipe where they make their own blueberry topping.
Recipe Pro-Tips
For the graham cracker crumbs, they can be purchased already in fine crumbs form, or you can purchase the graham crackers and pulse them in a blender or food processor for a few minutes. They just need to be finely crushed to incorporate nicely with the melted butter. This will help ensure that the pie crust sets up when chilled. Hint: you can swap out the graham crackers for vanilla wafers in this recipe.
This recipe is for a 9-inch pie pan; however, if you prefer, you could use a springform pan for this recipe. Just be sure to push the graham cracker crumbs up the sides of the pan when patting in the pie crust.
Soften the cream cheese. For best results, I place on the counter for 30-60 minutes before I plan on making this pie to allow the cheese to soften. It will incorporate much better for a smooth and creamy finish to your filling.
If you are short on time and need to soften the cream cheese right away, do this in the microwave. Just remove the cream cheese from the wrapper and place in a microwave safe container. Heat for 1 minute at a 30-power level. We also prefer using the Philadelphia Cream Cheese, it just seems to have a bit better flavor for our family.
Heavy Cream. When using heavy whipping cream, make sure to use an electric mixer to whip into stiff peaks before adding to the cream cheese mixture. Whipped topping aka. Cool Whip can be used in place of the heavy whipping cream. Just open the container and fold into the cream cheese mixture.
Do You Have to Bake a Graham Cracker Pie Crust?
It is not necessary to bake a graham cracker pie crust. If you prefer not to bake, the graham cracker crust can be chilled.
Chilling a Graham Cracker Crust
When chilling a graham cracker crust, the butter will harden allowing the pie crust to set and hold together. All that is necessary to chill the crust is combine the ingredients. Press the crumbs into a pie pan and place in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes to set. If you are in a hurry, place the pie tin in the freezer for 10 minutes to set up. Proceed with the rest of your recipe.
This is a great option when making this pie during the summer months when no-one wants to turn on the oven and make the house even hotter.
Baking a Graham Cracker Crust
If you choose to bake your crust, it will be less prone to crumbling when the pie is sliced. It only takes a few minutes of time to set in the oven. Once the graham cracker crust ingredients are mixed and pressed into your pie pan, make for 6-9 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
When adding this no-bake cheesecake filling, make sure that the crust is completely cook before adding the filling.
Serving a No-Baked Cheesecake Pie
No-baked cheesecake is perfect for light and fresh toppings. We especially like a fruit topping with this type of pie as it seems to just make this so light and refreshing.
Slice the chilled cheesecake with a sharp knife for best results. While this pie is delicious on its own, it is even better with toppings. Here are a few ideas for you to try until you find the perfect way you like to enjoy this easy recipe.
Fresh berries – any fresh fruit will work, but we are partial to strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and mandarin oranges.
Whipping cream
Chocolate Shavings
Pie filling – blackberry, strawberry, cherry, and blueberry pie filling are all delicious choices.
Today we served our pie with cherry pie filling and blackberry pie filling. Rather than place the fruit on top of the whole pie, we served it over each individual piece allowing our guests to choose their toppings.
While this dessert pie can be served with a drizzle of chocolate or caramel topping, I like this combination served best on a baked cheesecake. It just seems to pair well with the rich creamy and tangy flavor of this type of pie.
Philadelphia Cheesecake Recipe No Bake
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 1/2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
- ½ cup Butter Melted
- ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
No Bake Cheesecake Filling
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 16 Ounces Cream Cheese 2 packages softened
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 16 Ounces Whipped Topping 2 8-ounce tubs
text ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the graham crackers, butter, and sugar. Press into a 9-inch pie pan. Chill in the refrigerator while you make the filling; 30-60 minutes to set. If you are in a hurry, place the pie tin in the freezer for 10 minutes to set up. Proceed with the rest of your recipe.1 1/2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs, ½ cup Butter Melted, ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
- Combine Granulated Sugar, Whipped Topping or Whipping Cream (whipped), Cream Cheese, and Pure Vanilla Extract. Using a hand-held mixer combine the sugar, vanilla extract, and cream cheese at low speed until creamy and well combined. Fold in the whipped topping.2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar, 16 Ounces Cream Cheese, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 16 Ounces Whipped Topping
- Transfer to the chilled pie crust. Place in the refrigerator 30-60 minutes to set.
- Serve with your favorite topping. When serving, spoon the pie filling or other toppings over the pieces of cheesecake.
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Notes
Recipe Video
How Long Does Cheesecake Last?
In general, a homemade cheesecake will last in for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Just place aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the pie. However, I often will place individual pie servings in an airtight container, so it doesn’t absorb any other refrigerator flavors or odors. It is easier to grab a snack too. A cheesecake that has been purchased in a grocery store often has preservatives and can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator.Nutrition
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How Long Does Cheesecake Last?
In general, a homemade cheesecake will last in for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Just place aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the pie. However, I often will place individual pie servings in an airtight container, so it doesn’t absorb any other refrigerator flavors or odors. It is easier to grab a snack too.
A cheesecake that has been purchased in a grocery store often has preservatives and can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Easy No Bake Recipes
If you like easy recipes for dessert, here are a few more that the whole family will love, and they can be made quickly with delicious results. Other dessert recipes that pair well with this Philly no-bake cheesecake.
This 5 Minute Pink Fluff Salad has only 4 ingredients and it is no-bake too.
This no-bake éclair dessert has layers of graham crackers and creamy vanilla pudding that is topped with chocolate. My son-in-law’s favorite.
This raspberry chiffon pie has a wonderful light and creamy texture with a fresh berry flavor.
Here are a few other delicious recipes for you to try.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
I make this exact recipe, except, I usually purchase a cookie crust, and use splenda, sugar free cool whip, and no sugar added cherries….It is amazing and folks can’t tell there is no sugar in the whole pie, except the crust.
Great ideas for those with special diets. Thanks for sharing. Vicky