No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Parfait
Why This Cheesecake Parfait Is A Perfect Easy Dessert
There’s nothing quite like a rich, creamy cheesecake desserts, but sometimes you just don’t want to turn on the oven. These cherry cheesecake parfaits give you all the indulgent flavors of a traditional cheesecake in an easy, no-bake format that’s ready in under an hour.
- Quick and Easy – This recipe comes together in about 35 minutes with simple steps that anyone can master. No water bath, no worrying about cracks, and no complicated techniques required.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Parfaits can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, making them ideal for entertaining. Just pull them out when you’re ready to serve.
- Individual Servings – Each person gets their own perfectly portioned dessert in a beautiful glass, which makes serving a crowd so much easier.
- Homemade Cherry Filling – While you can use canned cherry pie filling, this recipe includes instructions for making your own fresh cherry topping that’s bursting with bright, natural flavor.
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Fresh Cherries – The star of the parfait. Use about 1 pound of fresh cherries, pitted and halved. Sweet cherries like Bing work beautifully, but Rainier or even tart cherries can be used. In a pinch, you can substitute canned cherry pie filling.
- Cream Cheese – Use full-fat block-style cream cheese for the richest flavor and best texture. Make sure it’s fully softened to room temperature to avoid lumps. Avoid whipped or spreadable tub varieties.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – Helps create a light, fluffy cheesecake filling. For best results, use heavy whipping cream. Half-and-half can work, but the filling will be slightly less airy.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens both the cherry filling and cheesecake layer. You can slightly reduce the sugar if your cherries are very sweet.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the cherry filling into a glossy, spoonable consistency. Arrowroot powder can be used as a substitute.
- Graham Crackers – Provide that classic cheesecake crust flavor and texture. Use regular, honey, or cinnamon graham crackers. For gluten-free, simply swap for gluten-free graham crackers. Chopped vanilla wafers or Bischoff cookies also work well.
For complete list of ingredients, see the recipe card below.
Making the Cherry Cheesecake Parfaits: Step-by-Step
Pit and halve (or quarter) the cherries, then combine them in a small pot with lemon juice and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, covered, stirring often, until the cherries soften and release their juices. Stir in a cornstarch slurry and continue cooking until the mixture thickens into a glossy, syrupy filling that coats the spoon. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. (Use hand-help or stand up mixer.) Start mixing on low speed to bring everything together, then increase to medium-high speed. Beat for a couple of minutes until the cheesecake filling is light, soft, and fluffy.
Use small glass parfait cups, mason jars, or clear glasses for serving so the layers show. Add a layer of chopped graham crackers to the bottom (about 2 tablespoons), then pipe or spoon in a layer of cheesecake filling, spreading it gently to the edges. Spoon cherry filling over the top and repeat the layers once more. For cleaner layers, make sure the cherry filling is completely cooled before assembling.
Top each parfait with a dollop of whipped cream and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Let the cherry filling cool completely before assembling the parfaits. This prevents the cheesecake layer from melting and ensures clean, distinct layers.
- Use softened cream cheese at room temperature. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy filling that’s difficult to pipe.
- Don’t skip the cinnamon in the cheesecake filling. It adds a subtle warmth that complements the cherries beautifully.
- If you have the patience…chill before serving for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld and the layers set up nicely.
- Save time – make them ahead by assembling the parfaits without the whipped cream topping. Cover and refrigerate, then add the whipped cream just before serving. Let the parfaits sit at room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving. (They’re softer and smoother when at room temperature.)
Recipe Variations
- Try different fruits – This recipe works beautifully with strawberries, blueberries, or even mixed berries. For strawberries and blueberries, follow the same cooking method as the cherry filling. You can also throw in peaches, plums or apricots.
- Add chocolate – For chocolate cherry cheesecake parfaits, use chocolate graham crackers, add mini chocolate chips between the layers, and you can add a spoonful or two of hot fudge topping to cheesecake mixture.
- Vanilla wafer crust – Swap graham crackers for crushed vanilla wafers for a different flavor profile.
- Toasted coconut – you can toast sweetened coconut flakes in the oven until browned and add them as a layer of the parfait.
- Use canned cherry pie filling – If you’re short on time or fresh cherries aren’t available, feel free to use your favorite canned cherry pie filling.
- Make it gluten-free – Simply swap the regular graham crackers for gluten-free graham crackers.
Storage Instructions
- Store assembled parfaits covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the graham crackers will soften slightly over time, but they’ll still taste delicious.
- Make ahead: You can assemble them several hours ahead or even the night before. For best presentation, wait to add the whipped cream topping until just before serving. If you prefer a little crunch in the graham crackers, assemble them closer to serving time.
- I don’t recommend freezing these parfaits as the texture of the cheesecake filling and graham crackers can change once thawed.
Serving Suggestions
These cherry cheesecake parfaits are perfect for any occasion. Serve them at summer barbecues, birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or as a special weeknight treat. They’re beautiful enough for company but easy enough for an everyday dessert.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Layer the ingredients in a large trifle bowl instead of individual glasses for a beautiful presentation at potlucks or large gatherings. This does have only 4 servings, for a larger gathering, double the recipe.
No, unlike a traditional cheesecake crust, you don’t need to press the graham crackers. Just layer them loosely for the perfect texture.
Yes, this recipe doubles easily for larger gatherings.
No, a hand mixer works just as well. You can even mix by hand if needed, just make sure the cream cheese is fully softened so the filling turns out smooth and creamy.
Store the assembled parfaits covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the graham crackers will soften over time, but they’ll still taste delicious.
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No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Parfait Recipe
Ingredients
Cherry Filling:
- 1 lb cherries
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp cold water
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream can substitute half and half
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Other Layers:
- 4-5 oz graham crackers chopped
- whipped cream optional
Instructions
Cherry Pie Filling:
- Pit the cherries first! Then cut them in half or quarters, depending on how small you'd like the bites to be.
- In a small pot, combine prepared cherries, lemon juice, and sugar. Mix well and set the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook, stirring often until cherries are softened. (Note, cherries should release a good amount of natural juices while cooking.)
- Make a slurry out of cold water and cornstarch and stir it into the cherries. Stir slowly as you let the cherries cook a few more minutes and thicken. Take off heat and let them cool to room temperature.
Cheesecake Filling:
- Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt together in a mixing bowl.
- Start mixing on low to bring everything together and increase the mixer speed to medium-high. Beat the cheesecake filling for a couple of minutes until light, soft, and fluffy.
- Transfer the cheesecake filling into a piping bag or a zip-lock bag.
To Assemble the Parfaits:
- Use small glass parfait cups (you can also use mason jars, or pretty glasses).
- Layer the chopped graham crackers, then a layer of cheesecake, then a layer of cherry filling, and repeat the layers one more time.
- Top it off with some whipped cream and enjoy!
Notes
- Using canned cherry pie filling: you can definitely use canned cherry pie filling that you like.
- Gluten free: to make this recipe gluten free, simply use gluten free graham crackers.
- Make ahead: you can make these cheesecake parfaits ahead of time, just don’t add the whipped cream. Cover the jars/cups air-tight and store in the refrigerator. Texture note: note that the graham crackers will get softer when made ahead.
Nutrition
More Delicious Desserts to Try
If you love these cherry cheesecake parfaits, you’ll want to try some of my other irresistible desserts! For more no-bake cheesecake option, try my no bake strawberry cheesecake or no bake Nutella cheesecake. I also have amazing chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bites, while mini cheesecakes offer that same creamy texture in perfectly portioned servings. Another layered and no bake dessert we love is the no bake banana split cheesecake dessert. My cinnamon strawberry cheesecake Dessert tacos are a fun twist on traditional cheesecake.
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Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
