Description
These no bake creamy cheesecake bars are a fuss-free, indulgent dessert with a silky smooth texture and a crunchy graham cracker crust. Perfect for hot days, potlucks, or quick treats, they require no oven and just five simple steps.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (150g)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (85g)
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened (450g)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold (240ml)
- Optional add-ins and toppings:
- 1 cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or sealed plastic bag and rolling pin. Mix crumbs with melted unsalted butter until evenly coated. Press firmly into the bottom of a lined 8×8-inch pan. Refrigerate to set.
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until silky and fully combined. Scrape down sides to avoid lumps.
- Whip the heavy cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip cold heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Avoid overwhipping.
- Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture: Gently fold one-third of whipped cream into cream cheese mixture to lighten it, then fold in remaining whipped cream carefully to keep texture airy.
- Assemble and chill: Spread filling evenly over chilled crust and smooth the top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm. Top with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or melted chocolate if desired before serving.
Notes
Soften cream cheese properly at room temperature to avoid lumps. Whip cream to soft peaks only to prevent grainy texture. Chill crust and filling long enough for best texture and clean slicing. Use powdered sugar for smooth filling. Press crust firmly and chill to avoid sogginess. Optional toppings include fresh berries, chocolate drizzle, or nuts. Bars can be frozen up to 2 months; thaw overnight in fridge before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16th of rec
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: no bake cheesecake, cheesecake bars, creamy cheesecake, easy dessert, graham cracker crust, no oven dessert, quick cheesecake