American Flag No Bake Cheesecake
This American Flag No Bake Cheesecake is homemade cheesecake without the hassle! It includes a no bake graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and it’s topped with fresh berries to resemble the American flag. It’s an easy summer dessert that comes together in 30 minutes!
Whipping up a homemade dessert doesn’t have to be difficult, and this American Flag No Bake Cheesecake is just the proof you need.
Not only is it easy, but there’s no oven required. No bake desserts are the best options for summer because keeping the house cool is a top priority!
This recipe is inspired by my mini no bake cheesecakes, but this version is even easier as it is made in one large pan.
It can be decorated a multitude of ways with your favorite fruits, toppings, etc., and I love that it can be made entirely in advance.
Summer desserts just don’t get easier than this. 🙂
Table of contents
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This no bake cheesecake recipe includes a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy no bake cheesecake filling and it’s topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries to resemble the American flag.
- It comes together in less than 30 minutes and it can be made entirely in advance.
- It’s a crowd pleasing dessert that’s festive, delicious and can be customized with your favorite fruits or toppings.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free graham crackers or cookies.
Recipe ingredients
This easy no bake cheesecake includes just a few basic ingredients for the graham cracker crust, filling and berries to create an American flag cheesecake.
Ingredient notes
- Cream cheese. It’s essential that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before beating to get a creamy, smooth filling.
- Sugar. Two tablespoons of sugar is added to the graham cracker crust, and 1/2 cup is used to sweeten the filling. I’ve used maple sugar, which is pictured above, but granulated sugar works perfectly as well.
- Lemon zest. A tablespoon of lemon zest gives the filling a nice lemony flavor. It may be substituted with lime or orange zest, or omitted altogether.
- Vanilla extract. The vanilla extract lends flavor to the filling. It may be substituted with your favorite extract or omitted altogether.
- Heavy whipping cream. Use cold heavy whipping cream and beat it until stiff peaks form. The whipped cream provides a light, creamy texture and also helps the filling hold its shape.
- Graham cracker crumbs. You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs. You can either process your own, or purchase a box of store bought graham cracker crumbs. Gluten-free graham crackers or cookies work great in this recipe as well!
- Butter. Melted butter is combined with the graham cracker crumbs to moisten them enough to form a crust.
- Berries. Blueberries and either strawberries or raspberries are perfect to create an American flag on top of the berry no bake cheesecake.
How to make this easy no bake cheesecake
It doesn’t get easier than this American flag no bake cheesecake. It’s festive and fun, and it comes together in about 30 minutes.
Pro tip: Make sure that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth, creamy filling.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl. Press the crumbs evenly in the bottom and up the sides of a 9″ pie pan. Freeze the crust while you prepare the filling.
- Beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the 1/2 cup sugar, lemon zest and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- Beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over beat as it can turn to butter quickly.
- Whisk or fold the whipped cream into the cheesecake mixture.
- Spread the filling in the chilled crust.
- Refrigerate the no bake cheesecake for 4-6 hours or overnight until set.
FAQs
This easy no bake cheesecake filling includes just a few simple ingredients. Cream cheese is the base, which is beaten with sugar, lemon zest and vanilla to add sweetness and flavor. From there, fold homemade whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to thicken the filling and help it to set.
This recipe includes a no bake graham cracker crust as well! Simply prepare the crust exactly the way you would for banana cream pie or key lime pie, but instead of baking it, freeze it while you prepare the no bake cheesecake filling.
It takes a minimum of 4-6 hours to set, but for best results make it a day in advance and top it up to a few hours before serving.
This berry no bake cheesecake recipe will keep in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for 3-5 days.
Recipe variations
- Sub the graham cracker crumbs with your favorite cookie crumbs such as gingersnap, oreo, etc. Gluten-free cookies may also be used to make this no bake cheesecake gluten-free.
- Flavor the no bake cheesecake filling with your favorite citrus zest or extract.
- Top with your favorite summer fruit, fruit compote or swirl lemon curd or lime curd over the top.
- Pipe the cheesecake with homemade whipped cream around the edges and between the berries with a large star tip to make it even more festive. Tip is linked in the recipe card below.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Make sure that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth, creamy filling.
- For best results, prepare this no bake cheesecake recipe a day in advance to ensure that it is set when you plan to serve it.
- Decorate the cheesecake with additional whipped cream and berries to resemble the American flag up to a few hours prior to serving. Customize this recipe with your favorite toppings or fresh fruit.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an air tight container or covered with plastic wrap for 3-5 days.
More cheesecake recipes you’ll love:
- Classic cheesecake recipe by Live Well Bake Often
- Mini cranberry orange cheesecakes
- Key lime cheesecake bars
- Mini lemon cheesecakes
- Mini pumpkin cheesecake recipe
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
American Flag No Bake Cheesecake
Equipment
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the no bake cheesecake
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest sub with lime or orange zest, or omit
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 12 strawberries halved or sliced; sub with raspberries
Instructions
Prepare the crust:
- Place the butter in a medium bowl and melt it for up to 1 minute in the microwave. Add the graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and salt and stir until the crumbs are well coated with the butter.6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Pour the crust into a 9" pie plate and press evenly across the bottom and up the sides. Pack it in well to ensure that it holds together once it's sliced. Place the crust in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Prepare the filling:
- Place the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl and beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the 1/2 cup sugar, lemon zest and vanilla and beat until incorporated.8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Beat the heavy whipping cream in the bowl of a stand mixer at medium high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over whip or will turn to butter. Fold or whisk the whipped cream gently into the cream cheese mixture just until incorporated.1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
- Pour the filling into the graham cracker crust and spread until smooth. Place the no bake cheesecake in the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours or overnight until set.
- Pipe the edges of the cheesecake with additional whipped cream if desired, and decorate with the blueberries and strawberries to resemble the American flag up to a few hours in advance. Slice, serve and enjoy!1/2 cup blueberries, 12 strawberries
Notes
- Pro tip: Make sure that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth, creamy filling.
- For best results, prepare this no bake cheesecake recipe a day in advance to ensure that it is set when you plan to serve it.
- Decorate the cheesecake with additional whipped cream and berries to resemble the American flag up to a few hours prior to serving.Â
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an air tight container or covered with plastic wrap for 3-5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
