Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Baking Required: This parfait is perfect for when you want a delicious dessert without turning on the oven.
- Perfectly Balanced: The tangy cream cheese filling, sweet cherry topping, and crunchy graham cracker crust create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures in every bite.
- Customizable: You can easily swap the cherry pie filling for any fruit topping you prefer—blueberries, strawberries, or peaches would all be great options!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare this dessert the day before and let it chill in the fridge for the flavors to meld together, making it ideal for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 7 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
- Fresh cherries for garnish (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Make the Crust
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix until well combined and set aside.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
- Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, beating until fully incorporated and creamy.
- Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Stir well to combine.
Assemble the Parfaits
- Prepare 6 plastic or glass 9-ounce punch cups, placing them on a counter or cookie sheet for easy handling.
- Scoop 2 tablespoons of the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each cup, lightly pressing it down to create a crust layer.
- Top each cup with 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Evenly distribute half of the cherry pie filling between the cups, ensuring each has a nice layer of cherries.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the remaining graham cracker crumb mixture over the cherry layer in each cup.
- Divide the rest of the cheesecake mixture between the cups, spreading it gently on top of the cherry layer.
- Top each parfait with the remaining cherry pie filling, distributing it evenly across all cups.
- Finish by sprinkling a little graham cracker crumb mixture on top of the cherry filling for decoration.
- Optionally, garnish each parfait with a fresh cherry on top for an extra special touch.
Chill and Serve
- Serve the parfaits immediately, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving for the best flavor!
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (no bake time)
- Total Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Servings: 5-6 servings
Variations
- Different Fruit Toppings: If you’re not a fan of cherries, you can easily swap in any other fruit topping such as blueberries, strawberries, or a mixed berry compote.
- Gluten-Free Option: For a gluten-free version, swap the graham crackers for gluten-free cookies or graham crackers.
- Mini Parfaits: If you want smaller servings, use mini mason jars or smaller cups for individual servings.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the parfaits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. They are best enjoyed fresh but will keep well for a day.
- No Reheating Needed: These parfaits are served cold and do not require reheating, making them perfect for making ahead of time.
FAQs
1. Can I make these parfaits ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the parfaits up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Just add the topping before serving for the best presentation.
2. Can I use a different type of fruit for the topping?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap the cherry pie filling for your favorite fruit topping, like blueberries, strawberries, or even fresh mangoes.
3. Is there a dairy-free option for this recipe?
You can try using dairy-free cream cheese and a non-dairy milk option (like coconut or almond milk) to make this recipe dairy-free.
4. Can I freeze the parfaits?
While these parfaits are best served fresh, you can freeze them for up to 2 weeks. Just make sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
5. How can I make the parfaits more decadent?
For an extra touch of indulgence, you can drizzle some chocolate syrup or caramel sauce over the cheesecake layers, or even mix in a bit of melted chocolate into the cheesecake filling.
Conclusion
These No Bake Cheesecake Parfaits are a delicious, simple, and visually appealing dessert that everyone will love. With creamy cheesecake filling, a crunchy graham cracker crust, and a sweet fruit topping, they strike the perfect balance between indulgence and freshness. Make them for your next family gathering, picnic, or as a sweet treat for yourself—either way, they’re sure to impress!
No Bake Cheesecake Parfait Recipe: A Sweet, Creamy Delight
These **No Bake Cheesecake Parfaits** combine creamy cheesecake filling, a buttery graham cracker crust, and sweet cherry pie filling in individual servings, making for a refreshing and easy dessert perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: undefined
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 ½ cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
7 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
Fresh cherries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the graham cracker crust by mixing crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into 6 plastic or glass cups and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Assemble the parfaits by layering graham cracker crust, cheesecake filling, and cherry pie filling in each cup. Top with additional graham cracker crumbs and chill.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with fresh cherries if desired.
Notes
Variations: Try different fruit toppings like blueberries, strawberries, or mixed berries.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cookies for the crust.
Mini Parfaits: Use mini mason jars for smaller servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg