Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking required—easy and quick to prepare
- Classic cheesecake flavor with a fresh cherry topping
- Perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings or weeknights
- Light and fluffy texture thanks to Cool Whip
- Deliciously balanced sweetness and tartness
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 9 whole crackers)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
Directions
- Microwave the butter for about 30 seconds or until completely melted.
- In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and granulated sugar. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the dish to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip, keeping the mixture light and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the graham cracker crust.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- After chilling, slice into squares and serve cold.
Servings and Timing
Servings: About 9–12 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: At least 2 hours (overnight recommended)
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes or more
Variations
- Use blueberry or strawberry pie filling instead of cherry for different fruit flavors.
- Add a layer of crushed nuts (like pecans or walnuts) on the crust for extra crunch.
- Mix in a tablespoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for a citrus twist.
- Swap Cool Whip for whipped cream or homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
- Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce on top before serving for added indulgence.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: This dessert is best served chilled and does not require reheating.
FAQs
Can I use regular whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes, homemade whipped cream works well and provides a fresher taste, but Cool Whip offers convenience and stability.
Do I have to use graham cracker crumbs for the crust?
You can substitute with crushed digestive biscuits or any similar cookie crumbs.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, they can be made up to 24 hours in advance and kept refrigerated.
What type of cream cheese should I use?
Use full-fat, softened cream cheese for best texture and flavor.
Can I freeze the cheesecake bars?
Yes, freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
How do I prevent the crust from becoming soggy?
Press the crust firmly and evenly, and chill the crust before adding the filling if possible.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes, but fresh cherries should be cooked down with sugar to create a topping similar to pie filling.
What if I don’t have an 8×8-inch dish?
Use a similar-sized baking dish or a slightly larger one; the bars may be thinner.
Can I reduce the sugar in the filling?
Yes, but the bars may be less sweet. Adjust to your taste.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Traditional graham crackers contain gluten, but you can use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs to make it gluten-free.
Conclusion
No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Bars are an effortless and crowd-pleasing dessert that combines creamy, crunchy, and fruity elements in every bite. Perfect for hot days, last-minute gatherings, or anytime you crave a classic cheesecake flavor without the oven. Enjoy this sweet treat chilled and share with friends and family!
Print
No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 9–12 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and sweet cherry topping, all prepared without baking for an easy and delicious dessert.
Ingredients
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 9 whole crackers)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Microwave the butter for about 30 seconds or until completely melted.
- In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and granulated sugar. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the dish to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip, keeping the mixture light and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the graham cracker crust.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- After chilling, slice into squares and serve cold.
Notes
Use blueberry or strawberry pie filling instead of cherry for different fruit flavors.
Add a layer of crushed nuts (pecans or walnuts) on the crust for extra crunch.
Mix in a tablespoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for a citrus twist.
Swap Cool Whip for whipped cream or homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce on top before serving for added indulgence.
Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
