Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (2024)

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Nothing makes me happier than cheesecake. This fluffy and so simple no-bake strawberry cheesecake recipe is one of those delicious desserts that are surprisingly simple to make, delicious, and always presents beautifully. If you want a no-bake option, this cheesecake is sure to be a hit!

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
  • Can I Make This With Different Berries?
  • What Other Cookies Can Be Used for Cheesecake Crust?
  • Can I Use Whipped Cream Cheese for Cheesecake?
  • Why is My No-Bake Cheesecake Not Firm?
  • Can I Freeze a No-Bake Cheesecake?
  • Ingredients for Crust
  • Ingredients for No-Bake Cheesecake Filling
  • Ingredients for Homemade Whipped Cream
  • Handy Kitchen Tools
  • How do I Make a Graham Cracker Crust?
  • How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
  • How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream
  • More Delicious Desserts
  • Printable Recipe
  • 📖 Recipe

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

I am a self-proclaimed cheesecake addict and am excited to share another version with you. We've already shared my favorite New York-style cheesecake recipe for the original classic taste. Fanny has given us a fun roasted blueberry and Meyer lemon cheesecake that is delightful and unique. Plus, there is the chocolate cheesecake and another fun and easy no-bake OREO cheesecake. We even have a banana pudding cheesecake that is to die for! Let's just say, this is a favorite flavor, and this version is going to become another favorite option in your home! So tasty and easy to make!

Can I Make This With Different Berries?

Definitely! I love the combination of strawberries with cream cheese, so it is my favorite choice, but you can make this with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. Any berry can be used to create a delicious cheesecake following the same basic recipe as outlined below. The strawberries tend to be the most popular and give the best overall flavor since they are naturally sweeter. Other berries are a bit more tart so may require a little more sweetness to make the flavor as you prefer.

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (2)

What Other Cookies Can Be Used for Cheesecake Crust?

I am a classic fan of the original Graham cracker crust, but, I also realize that there are many different choices that fit this recipe wonderfully. Below are a few of the hard cookies that I have been known to use for a cookie crust and can easily see fitting into this recipe well with delicious results.

  • Oreo cookies - remove the cream filling and only use the chocolate cookie.
  • Hard lemon cookies.
  • Shortbread cookies.
  • Vanilla wafers.
  • Teddy Graham bear crackers.
  • Animal crackers (with a bit of added sugar).
Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (3)

Can I Use Whipped Cream Cheese for Cheesecake?

There are two camps in regards to using whipped cream cheese in a cheesecake. First off, it is never recommended to use when making a traditionally baked cheesecake. However, in no-bake cakes, it can work well, as long as you use the same amount by weight. You'll also want to make sure it is folded in rather than whipped or beaten as you might do with regular cream cheese.

Another consideration is that it works best with full-fat cream cheese versus lighter versions. While I have had good success using whipped cream cheese when it was all I had on hand, I definitely prefer making it with regular cheesecake.

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Why is My No-Bake Cheesecake Not Firm?

Typically, when a no-bake cheesecake does not set up, it just needs more time. If after a few hours in the refrigerator it is still runny, you can place it in the freezer for an hour to see if that will harden things. Some suggest using a bit of lemon juice in the batter will always make sure it firms up after being refrigerated. I cannot verify this method, but it is worth considering.

Remember, that while you want it to slice nicely, even a slightly runny no-bake cheesecake will be delicious because it will have great flavor. It's just more like pudding than cake at that point!

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (5)

Can I Freeze a No-Bake Cheesecake?

You sure can! If you make too much or just want to have it portioned for a simple treat, later on, you can easily freeze it for later. I prefer letting it set properly in the refrigerator then slice it. After it is sliced, I place the individual pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Place this into the freezer for 1 hour to harden, then I stake them into a storage bag or container with waxed paper between each piece. This makes it super easy to grab a single slice at a time if desired.

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (6)

Ingredients for Crust

  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Granulated sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter

Ingredients for No-Bake Cheesecake Filling

  • Unflavored gelatin
  • Cream cheese
  • Strawberries
  • Granulated sugar
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Vanilla extract

Ingredients for Homemade Whipped Cream

  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Granulated sugar
Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (7)

How do I Make a Graham Cracker Crust?

Crush Graham crackers to create crumbs if needed.

In a medium bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon and mix well.

Stir in the melted butter and mix until fully incorporated.

Press the crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a springform pan.

Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (8)

How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

In a small bowl, add 1 cup cold water and then sprinkle the gelatin on top and set aside for 2 minutes to bloom.

Whisk the gelatin mixture to combine, then microwave for 30-seconds, and remove to whisk again until the gelatin mixture is formed and dissolved. Set aside.

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (9)

Into a food processor or blender, add 2 cups of strawberries and pulse until smooth, then set aside.

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (10)

In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix together the cream cheese and sugar until combined, using low speed. Scrape down the sides, making sure to completely mix. Be careful not to overmix.

In a chilled bowl, add the cold heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract then whip on high speed until stiff peaks form and set aside.

Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until just combined.

Add the pureed strawberries to the gelatin mixture and stir to combine.

Pour the gelatin and strawberry mixture into the cream cheese mixture and mix to combine well.

Fold the remaining 2 cups of strawberries pieces into the cheesecake batter until just combined.

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Spread the filling over the prepared crust and cover lightly.

Chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or overnight.

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (12)

How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream

If desired, top the cheesecake with additional homemade whipped cream and sliced berries.

In a large chilled mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream and granulated sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.

Pour the fresh whipped cream into a piping bag and decorate the top of the cheesecake with dollops of whipped cream and additional berries.

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (13)

More Delicious Desserts

Need more non-cheesecake ideas for your dessert menu, we've got you covered! Check out these tasty ideas!

  • Flaky Pear Turnover Recipe
  • The Easiest Old Fashioned Pound Cake Recipe
  • Coconut Cake Recipe with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
  • The Best Banana Bread Blondies with Dark Chocolate
Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (14)

Printable Recipe

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12

Fluffy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (15)

Follow this step by step recipe tutorial to create a delicious no bake strawberry cheesecake that is perfect for any weeknight dessert!

Prep Time1 hour

Additional Time4 hours

Total Time5 hours

Ingredients

Ingredients for Crust

  • 2 cups Grahm cracker crumbs (11 full sheets)
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Ingredients for Cheesecake Filling

  • 30 grams unflavored gelatin (4 envelopes)
  • ⅔ cup cold water
  • 4 cups strawberry pieces
  • 32 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped Cream Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar

Instructions

How do I Make a Graham Cracker Crust?

  1. Crush Graham crackers to create crumbs if needed.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon and mix well.
  3. Stir in the melted butter and mix until fully incorporated.
  4. Press the crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a springform pan.
  5. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes

How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

  1. In a small bowl, add 1 cup cold water and then sprinkle the gelatin on top and set aside for 2 minutes to bloom.
  2. Whisk the gelatin mixture to combine, then microwave for 30-seconds, and remove to whisk again until the gelatin mixture is formed and dissolved. Set aside.
  3. Into a food processor or blender, add 2 cups of strawberries and pulse until smooth, then set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix together the cream cheese and sugar until combined, using low speed. Scrape down the sides, making sure to completely mix. Be careful not to overmix.
  5. In a chilled bowl, add the cold heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract then whip on high speed until stiff peaks form and set aside.
  6. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until just combined.
  7. Add the pureed strawberries to the gelatin mixture and stir to combine.
  8. Pour the gelatin and strawberry mixture into the cream cheese mixture and mix to combine well.
  9. Fold the remaining 2 cups of strawberries pieces into the cheesecake batter until just combined.
  10. Spread the filling over the prepared crust and cover lightly.
  11. Chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or overnight.

How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream

  1. If desired, top the cheesecake with additional homemade whipped cream and sliced berries.
  2. In a large chilled mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream and granulated sugar and whip until stiff peaks form.
  3. Pour the fresh whipped cream into a piping bag and decorate the top of the cheesecake with dollops of whipped cream and additional berries.

Notes

Substitute fresh blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries if preferred.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 639Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 317mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 2gSugar: 40gProtein: 9g

Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you over whip no-bake cheesecake? ›

Runny Cheesecake mixtures

Sometimes, you can simply over whisk, or under whisk a mixture. I cannot explain the differences, as it can vary as to why! You need to make sure when whisking a no-bake cheesecake mixture that you keep an eye on the mixture constantly so you can see when it thickens up!

What is no-bake cheesecake filling made of? ›

For the Filling: Combine cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix at low speed to form a thick paste, then increase to medium speed until soft and smooth.

Should cheesecake be dense or fluffy? ›

It should be puffy on the edges but visibly underdone in the center. Around 70-75 min in, you can quickly open the oven door and jiggle the cheesecake gently. It should be firm on the edges but quite jiggly in the center. You can also touch the center of the cheesecake lightly - it should feel firm and bouncy.

Why is my no-bake cheesecake not setting up? ›

The primary reason a no-bake cheesecake is too runny or doesn't set up properly is generally the temperature of the ingredients. If your cream cheese is too warm, the mixture will be too soft and will never set up properly.

How do you know when cheesecake is whipped enough? ›

You want the outer 2-3 inches of the cheesecake to look more set and less jiggly, and in the center to be the party that's jiggly. It should wobble a bit, but not too much. If it looks liquid-y still and has kind of a sloshy wiggle, it's not done it. If it's just set and still jiggly, it should be good.

What happens if I over whip cream for cheesecake? ›

It is important not to whip the cream too much for the cheesecake as the action of folding the whipped cream into the cream cheese will cause the cream to stiffen slightly more and if you whip the cream too much then it will start to curdle and separate into solids and a watery liquid.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in cheesecake? ›

A combination of half-and-half and butter makes the best all-around heavy cream substitute. Both heavy cream and half-and-half are made from cream — the distinction is that half-and-half is a mixture of cream and milk and has about a third as much as fat.

What brand of cream cheese is best for cheesecake? ›

Philadelphia cream cheese is a popular brand of cream cheese that is often used in cheesecake recipes, but there are many other brands of cream cheese that can be used as well.

Does no bake cheesecake taste better? ›

They both are great in their own way. It all narrows down to your personal preferences. If you enjoy dense and velvety cake, a baked cheesecake is the one for you. Or if you crave some light and airy dessert post-dinner, go for the no-bake one.

Why is my cheesecake not fluffy? ›

You want to work rather gently (or you'll deflate the whipped cream) but still make sure the cream cheese and whipped cream are completely incorporated and hom*ogenous. Otherwise, you'll have bites of cheesecake that are not fluffy.

What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›

Eggs: Three whole eggs hold the cheesecake together. I also add an extra yolk, which enhances the cake's velvety texture. (Whites tend to lighten the cake, which is actually fine — if you don't feel like separating that fourth egg and don't mind some extra airiness in the texture, just add in the whole egg.)

Why is my cheesecake not light and fluffy? ›

In testing eggs, we learned that a good cheesecake needs a combination of both whites and yolks. To get a light and airy style of cheesecake, though, it was key to whip the egg whites and fold them into the batter.

How do you keep a no-bake cheesecake firm? ›

Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6-8 hours, but overnight is better. For a sturdy no-bake cheesecake with beautifully neat slices, refrigerate for at least 12 hours. This makes for a great make-ahead dessert! Do not freeze the cheesecake to set it.

How do you make a no-bake cheesecake set faster? ›

Yes, you can freeze a no-bake cheesecake to hasten its setting time.

How do you make no-bake cheesecake less runny? ›

To thicken a no-bake cheesecake, refrigerate it for an extended period or consider adding dissolved gelatin, more cream cheese, or Greek yogurt to the mixture before chilling.

Why is my no bake cheesecake filling not thickening? ›

Add Gelatin or Cornstarch

If your filling is really runny, you can add a little bit of gelatin or cornstarch to thicken it up. Gelatin is great for adding firmness, while cornstarch can thicken the mixture without making it too firm.

Can you over beat cheesecake mixture? ›

Avoid Overmixing: Unlike other cakes, where beating air into the batter is key, overmixed cheesecake can rise, fall and then crack from that excess air. Keeping ingredients (cheese, eggs, liquids and flavorings) at room temperature can help.

Can you over beat cream cheese for cheesecake? ›

Don't Overbeat

Overbeating can cause the cheesecake to crack when you bake it. When you're combining the sugar, cream cheese, eggs, and other ingredients, do it on medium-low speed. The paddle attachment (as opposed to the whip attachment) of a stand mixer is best so that you don't beat too much air into the batter.

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