These no bake Cherry Cheesecake Bars are easy to make and come with the best Homemade Cherry Pie Filling to top them. They are delightful, creamy, and the perfect no bake recipe.
One of my husband’s all-time favorite foods is cheesecake with a cherry topping. So when I tell you that he could not stop eating these cherry cheesecake bars, that should be all the convincing you need to rush to the store for the ingredients.
Made with simple items, this delicious dessert recipe comes together in a snap. It is the perfect recipe to celebrate with and is bound to be a hit no matter where you take it.
Please note that while these are “bars,” they are actually more like a sheet cake. You will want to serve these with forks on plates. They aren’t like brownies which only require a love of chocolate and your hand.
How to Make Cherry Cheesecake Bars
Here is a brief overview of how this no bake cherry cheesecake bar recipe comes together and how simple it is. For the full recipe including all measurements, please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Make the crust. Stir together the graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. Press it into a 9×13 pan. It doesn’t need to bake, just some time to set up.
- Make the cheesecake filling. Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until it has a thick consistency, then fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Pour it over the crust.
- Let the cheesecake bars set. This no bake cheesecake bar recipe takes eight hours to set up in the refrigerator overnight, so plan ahead.
- Make the cherry topping. Finally, combine cherry juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, almond extract, and some sugar over heat. Then stir in some frozen cherries for a delicious cherry topping.
The Best Bar Pan
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature. This is key for any cheesecake recipe. In order for it to be silky smooth, you want to use room-temperature cream cheese. Leave it out of its wrapper on a plate for an hour or two.
- Use name-brand cream cheese. While this works with off-brand cream cheese, I find that I get the best quality when I use name brand, particularly Philadelphia. There are lots of off-brand products that work perfectly, but I find cream cheese isn’t one of them.
- Use the whisk attachment of a stand mixer for a smooth and creamy filling. This attachment will fully mix the cream cheese with the rest of the ingredients.
- Make the cherry topping the day before. Since the cheesecake bars need to refrigerate overnight and the cherry topping needs time to cool to be used, I suggest making the cherry topping at the same time as the cheesecake so it is fully cooled when you are ready to top the bars.
- Do a quick freeze for easy cutting. Put the bars in the freezer for 30 minutes before serving to make them extra easy to cut.
Cherry Topping For Cheesecake
This cherry pie filling is the perfect fruity topping for these no bake cheesecake bars. While you could buy a can of pie filling, my mom’s homemade Cherry Pie Filling recipe is so easy to make.
Cherry Pie Filling
Other Topping Ideas
While the cherry part of this great no bake cheesecake recipe comes from the delicious cherry pie filling topping, you can easily swap out the topping for something else. Here are a few ideas:
- Lemon Curd Recipe: This would replicate my Lemon Cheesecake and just be so amazing.
- Apple Pie Filling: You could even add a little bit of cinnamon to the cheesecake mixture!
- Blueberry Pie Filling: While I don’t have a recipe posted for this, you can easily use the cherry pie filling recipe and swap the cherries for blueberries – or another frozen fruit!
Make a Cherry Cheesecake!
This recipe can easily be made into a cherry cheesecake by making it in a springform pan. Simply keep all of the measurements and the instructions the same, just make it in a round spingform pan instead of 9X13 pan.
Storing Cheesecake Bars
Since it needs to refrigerate for eight hours or overnight, these cherry cheesecake bars should be made the day before you are serving them. They will be the freshest in the first 24 hours after you make them.
Leftover cheesecake bars can be stored in the refrigerator for four days. You can cover the pan with a lid or foil for storing.
Cheesecake bars can also be frozen. Try to freeze it as close to that 24 hour mark from making as possible if you plan to freeze them. The fresher they are when you freeze, the better the results. Slice them before freezing and place them in an airtight container for up to three months.
Other Refreshing Desserts
If you try this no bake cheesecake bar recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a comment and let me know. I love hearing from you!
Cherry Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 150 grams (about 11 sheets of crackers)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 113 grams (melted)
- 3 tablespoons sugar 37.13 grams
Filling
- 24 ounces cream cheese 680.389 grams (room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 170.25 grams
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 155 grams
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice 4.67 grams
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 354.882 ml
Cherry Topping
- 2 cups cherry juice 473.176 ml (apple juice will work in it's place)
- 1 cup sugar 198 grams
- 1/4 cup cornstarch 28 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1.3 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2.5 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries 589.67 grams
Instructions
To Make Crust
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir together until it has the consistency of wet sand.1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons sugar
- Press into a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Place in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
To Make the Filling
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice together until smooth.24 ounces cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until it has a thick consistency, similar to shaving cream. Fold it into the cream cheese mixture.1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Pour the filling over the crust, cover, and place it in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
To Make Cherry Topping
- In a large saucepan over low to medium heat, combine the cherry juice, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Stir consistently, allowing the mixture to thicken, for about 5 to 6 minutes.2 cups cherry juice, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Add in the almond extract and food coloring (if using). Then stir in the frozen cherries. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring, 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries
- Let the cherry topping cool completely before adding it to the top of the bars.
- Slice the bars carefully, and serve them on plates with forks.
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