Believe it or no, you can have a creamy, sliceable Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake chilling in the fridge in about 15 minutes. No oven, no water bath, no stress! This one is smooth, lightly tangy, and topped with sweet cherry filling for that classic diner-style bite everyone goes back for.
If you've ever wanted cheesecake without babysitting the oven, this is your recipe..
Next time try the Chocolate Hershey Pie - another great, no-bake dessert!
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Why this one works (and always sets)
This isn't just "mix and hope for the best." There's a reason this turns out great every time.
The combination of full-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and whipped topping gives you a filling that's rich but still light enough to slice cleanly. The lemon zest quietly brightens everything so it doesn't taste heavy, and the chill time does the real magic-turning it from soft and fluffy into a firm, creamy pie.
No gelatin. No baking. No drama.
Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 8 ounce container Cool Whip
- Cherry Pie filing for topping
- 1 pre-made graham cracker pie shell
Instructions
- Using a handheld mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until light and fluffy in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the sour cream, salt, lemon zest and powdered sugar. Beat again until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through mixing.
- Fold in the cool whip topping. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl as you fold it to mix all the ingredients.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
- Top pie with canned cherry pie filling topping right before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Ingredients/variations
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below, this is your quick grocery glance.
- Cream cheese - I prefer using full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese for the best texture.
- sour cream - which makes it especially smooth and creamy.
- Cherry Pie filing for topping, or your favorite premade pie filling. If you have fresh apples, make this recipe for Cracker Barrel Fried Apples over the top would be fabulous!
- This recipe uses a pre-made graham cracker pie crust. If you want to change things up, use a chocolate cookie crust or a nut crust.
Feeling fancy? Make a homemade graham cracker crust using an 8-inch pie plate. You'll only need three ingredients; graham crackers (to make the graham cracker crumbs), butter and sugar!
Instructions
This is a photo overview of the instructions. For complete written instructions check the recipe card.
FAQ's
No, but it does give the smoothest, most reliable texture. Off-brand works, but let it fully soften first.
That's almost always from overmixing. Mix just until smooth and combined.
It usually just needs more chill time. Give it the full 4 hours minimum, overnight is even better.
Top Tip
For the smoothest, creamiest filling, start with room temperature cream cheese. Cold cream cheese is the fastest way to end up with lumps. Once you add the whipped topping, fold it in gently so the mixture stays light and airy. And wait to add your toppings until right before serving so the crust stays crisp and doesn't get soggy.
More no-bake pie recipes
If you're loving easy, no-oven desserts, there are a few more you'll want to keep on repeat. A bright and tangy Lemon Ice Box Pie is always a hit when you want something refreshing, the No-Bake Pumpkin Pie brings all the cozy flavors without turning on the oven, and the Hershey Pie Recipe is rich, chocolatey, and disappears fast at any gathering.
One slice won't be enough
Go ahead and stash this one in your back pocket. It's the kind of dessert that saves the day when you need something easy that still feels a little special. Make it once, and don't be surprised when it becomes your go-to for holidays, potlucks, and "just because" nights.
Now grab a slice, maybe a second (no judgment here), and enjoy every creamy bite!
Camden says
I'm feeling really inspired by how easy this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake is to put together. It'd be awesome to make it this week before dinner so that it's ready to eat after everyone is ready for dessert!
Debbie says
My mother and I always used to make Philadelphia no bake cheesecake together when I was a kid. I'm going to surprise her by making this recipe for her! Thank you!
Alyssa says
I love cheesecake and I love how easy this Philadelphia no back cheesecake is. I can't wait to try this!
Debra Clark says
I hope you enjoy the recipe Alyssa!
Kristen says
I love how simple this philadelphia no bake cheesecake recipe is! I can't get enough cheesecake, but the problem is that I am forever short on time, and I cannot for the life of me figure out how a springform pan even works--let alone the whole water bath thing, haha! Can't wait to make this!
Debra Clark says
Easy takes the cake (literally!) 🤪
Brittany says
We love cheesecakes but they are so expensive to buy and time consuming to make! I love being able to use Philadelphia cream cheese for a no back cheesecake recipe! It's always a delicious dessert that everyone loves! And it's so versatile too with all of the different topping choices!
Debra Clark says
Right? This is a great recipe. I hope you give it a try!!
Lois Corliss says
Doesn’t this looks just great. Will be easy to put together to. Can’t wait to try it.
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome, I hope you really enjoy the recipe. Thanks Lois!