Creamy No-Bake Cheesecake Parfait
This decadent dessert is layered with creamy cheesecake, graham cracker crumbs and strawberries. A simple but delicious dessert for Valentine's Day!
I gotta be honest, I’ve always had mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day.
Don’t get me wrong, I love love, and I fully support showing affection and maybe spoiling your significant other (SO). That’s normal and healthy and part of cultivating a strong relationship! But I personally don’t want to rely on a holiday or society to tell me to do that. I believe showing affection, being thoughtful and prioritizing your SO should be part of your regular life, not just once a year.
So hey, YAY Valentine’s Day! A day to celebrate love! But also YAY to the other 364 days a year you get to love on your SO as well.
ANYWHO, if you’re looking for a quick, last minute dessert to enjoy with your SO on V-day, I got you covered! This NO BAKE cheesecake parfait is sooo creamy and rich, just like a baked cheesecake, but without all the effort and time! Enjoy with your choice of fruit (berries are my fav) or simply without (as more of a New York Cheesecake style).
NOTE: I realize this isn’t a super “outdoorsy” recipe, but I do have some tips if you want to make it while camping! (I’ve done it before). Keep reading!!
Process/Tips
Alrighty, first big tip. Make sure the cream cheese and whipping cream are at room temperature or softened. If they’re still cold, they won’t combine very well and you’ll be left with lumpy cream cheese whipping cream. If this happens, don’t fret, it will still taste good, it just might look a little funky.
Step 1: Whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Step 2: Add the soft cream cheese to a separate bowl with the sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix together well then fold in the whipping cream until combined.
Step 3: Crush some graham crackers in a resealable bag. Melt a little butter. Mix together to form a sandy mixture.
Step 4: Cut up your desired fruit/toppings. I LOVE berries, but you could definitely use other fruit like cherries, peaches, apples, etc. Or just go for the classic New York cheesecake style and leave the toppings out!
Step 5: Layer in a small jar or glass starting with graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese mixture, and berries. If you want, you can create multiple layers (makes for a fun looking parfait!).
Tips for an OUTDOORS-FRIENDLY version below!
Tips for an OUTDOORS-FRIENDLY version
Instead of using whipping cream, just use a little milk to mix into the cream cheese. You won’t get the same creamy/fluffy texture but the milk will help loosen the cream cheese a bit and make it a little less dense.
You can use lemon juice in place of lemon zest, or just omit altogether. I must say, the little tang from the lemon is quite lovely though!
You don’t haaaaave to add melted butter to the graham cracker crumbs. You can definitely just use straight graham crackers.
Instead of layering into a jar, just spread it onto a plate or bowl! Start with the cream cheese mixture and then sprinkle with the graham cracker crumbs and fruit! I like to think of it as a “deconstructed cheesecake”.
I’ve made this recipe multiple times at home and while camping (see OUTDOOR-FRIENDLY tips above) and just love how quick, easy but soooo delicious it is. I’m a HUGE cheesecake fan so it’s nice to have a go-to recipe to whip up quickly when you’re craving cheesecake but don’t have the time or motivation to go through the whole process of making one.
I hope you enjoy this recipe just as much as I do!
More Desserts
Creamy No-Bake Cheesecake Parfait
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature or softened
- 1/2 cup whipping cream, room temperature
- zest from half a lemon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp sugar (maybe a little more depending on how sweet you want it)
- handful of graham crackers (about 1/4 cup crushed)
- 2 tsp melted butter
- fruit of choice (strawberries, raspberries, peaches, etc.)
Instructions
- Whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Add the soft cream cheese to a separate bowl with the sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix together well then fold in the whipping cream until combined. Taste to see if you want more sugar or not.
- Crush the graham crackers in a resealable bag. Melt a little butter. Mix together to form a sandy mixture.
- Cut up your desired fruit/toppings. I LOVE berries, but you could definitely use other fruit like cherries, peaches, apples, etc. Or just go for the classic New York cheesecake style and leave the toppings out!
- Layer in a small jar or glass starting with graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese mixture, and berries. If you want, you can create multiple layers (makes for a fun looking parfait!).
Notes:
Tips for an OUTDOORS-FRIENDLY version
- Instead of using whipping cream, just use a little milk to mix into the cream cheese. You won’t get the same creamy/fluffy texture but the milk will help loosen the cream cheese a bit and make it a little less dense.
- You can use lemon juice in place of lemon zest, or just omit altogether. I must say, the little tang from the lemon is quite lovely though!
- You don’t haaaaave to add melted butter to the graham cracker crumbs. You can definitely just use straight graham crackers.
- Instead of layering into a jar, just spread it onto a plate or bowl! Start with the cream cheese mixture and then sprinkle with the graham cracker crumbs and fruit! I like to think of it as a “deconstructed cheesecake”.
