Valentine’s Day is coming and and whether you’re going to be celebrating with your honey, your bestie, or your selfie, this super easy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is sure to make the day a little sweeter. ;) Traditional cheesecake can be kind of a pain to bake and I definitely don’t want to feel pressured to eat the whole thing, so I find this smaller batch no-bake version to be a reasonable compromise between flavor, effort, and my craving fix.
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Can I Use a Different Fruit?
Strawberries aren’t exactly in season in February, so if you want to use a different fruit, you certainly can. You can either add plain fresh fruit, or simmer some frozen fruit (like raspberries or blueberries) with a little sugar and cornstarch to make a thick compote. OR, take the easy route and top your cheesecake with some jam. ;)
How Long Will These Last in the Refrigerator?
The quality of this no bake cheesecake is definitely the best when eaten the same day it’s made. Although I ate one after it had been refrigerating for 24 hours and it was still quite delicious. The difference being that the fruit gets a little juicier and the graham cracker crust gets less crunchy as it absorbs moisture. If you want to make this ahead, I suggest making all three components and keeping them separate for storage, then assembling them within a couple hours of eating.
Can I substitute the Heavy Cream or Cream Cheese?
There are many different ways to make no bake cheesecake, some using heavy cream and cream cheese, some not. I have only tested this combination of ingredients and unfortunately can not vouch for or recommend any other method or ingredient substitutions without testing them myself.
What Size Jar Did You Use?
The jars in the photos are 12oz. jars. This recipe makes two larger servings that fit in the 12oz. jars, or you could do four smaller servings in 8oz. jars.
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake for Two
Servings 2Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. fresh strawberries ($2.00)
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar ($0.04)
- 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature ($0.40)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice ($0.03)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream ($0.78)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar ($0.03)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract ($0.15)
- 2 graham crackers ($0.10)
- 1 Tbsp butter ($0.13)
- 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.02)
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries well, remove the stems, then slice them. Place the sliced strawberries in a bowl, add the granulated sugar, and stir to combine. Let the strawberries sit while you prepare the rest of the dish, stirring them occasionally to help draw out the juices.
- In a separate bowl, begin whipping the heavy whipping cream on high speed with a hand mixer or stand mixer. When it becomes thick and fluffy, but is not yet forming peaks, add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Start on low speed until the powdered sugar is incorporated, then switch to high speed and continue to whip until the whipped cream forms stiff peaks.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese and lemon juice. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the cream cheese and lemon juice together until soft and creamy.
- Add the whipped cream to the bowl of whipped cream cheese, then whip the two together until evenly combined.
- To make the graham cracker crust, place the graham crackers in a zip top bag and use a heavy object to crush the crackers until they are in fine crumbs. Melt the butter in a small bowl, then add the graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar, and stir until combined.
- To assemble the no bake cheesecakes, divide the graham cracker crumbs between two jars, glasses, or other small containers. Next add the cheesecake filling, then top with the juiced strawberries (making sure to add a couple spoonfuls of the strawberry juice with the berries). Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat!
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Equipment
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!Scroll down for the step by step photos!
How to Make No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake for Two – Step by Step Photos
Wash and remove the stems from ½ lb. of fresh strawberries. Slice the strawberries then place them in a bowl with 2 Tbsp granulated sugar. Stir the strawberries until they’re coated with sugar. Let them sit while you prepare the rest of the dessert so the sugar has time to draw out the juices. Stir them occasionally as they sit. (photo is after they have been sitting and juices drawn out)
Add 1 cup heavy whipping cream to a bowl. Use mixer to whip the cream about half way, or until it is thick and fluffy, but not yet forming peaks. Add ½ tsp vanilla extract and ½ cup powdered sugar. Begin whipping again, first on low speed until the powdered sugar is incorporated, then switching to high to finish whipping.
Continue whipping until the cream forms stiff peaks. The whipped cream will be slightly thicker and more stiff than traditional whipped cream because the higher amount of powdered sugar.
In a separate bowl, whip together 4oz. room temperature cream cheese and 1 Tbsp lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Once those are smooth and creamy, add the whipped cream and whip again until they’re combined. This is your “cheesecake” filling.
Now it’s time to make the crust. Place two full graham crackers in a zip top bag and use something heavy to crush them into fine crumbs.
Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a small bowl, then add the graham cracker crumbs and ½ Tbsp brown sugar. Stir to combine.
Now that all of the layers are prepared, it’s time to assemble. Divide the graham cracker crust crumbs between two 12oz. jars, or some other similar sized dish.
Then divide the cheesecake filling between the two jars.
Finally, add the juiced strawberries on top, making sure to add a spoonful or two of juice to each jar, too.
Enjoy your no-bake strawberry cheesecake now or refrigerate for later!
Love to try knew recipes. Simple grilling ones for the summer months. Ribs, Chicken,
Steak, Pork tenderlion, pork chops, hamburgers, good hot dogs. Love them all.
I made this for 6 people, and it multiplied well! I love how quickly it comes together. It made for a fast and satisfying dessert and I will definitely be making it again!
Hi i dont have these, i do have springform pan and muffin pan, wat would work?
You can use any type of small single-serving cup, glass, or jar.
I was worried I wouldn’t like this because I’m not a huge cheesecake fan but it’s so light and airy. I used defrosted blueberries rather than strawberries because they were on hand and we’re here for that budget.
This is the no-bake recipe I learned back in the 70s and have used over the years:
8 oz cream cheese, chopped into squares and softened
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Use pre-cooked crust or graham cracker crust.
Using a mixer, mix cream cheese and milk until smooth. Add vanilla and lemon juice and mix thoroughly. Pour into crust and chill.
We actually have a similar recipe on our site called Easy Lemon Cream Pie! Our version just uses heavy cream instead of cream cheese. ~ Marion :)
Here’s the link: https://www.budgetbytes.com/easy-lemon-cream-pie/
Tasty and so cute in little jars!
Awesome, the recipe looks great, I can not wait to have a try. Maybe the kids will love it too!
Our family are all cheesecake lovers. I sent this to my wife when I read this. And then we get a good cake night. Thanks for the great recipe. The step-by-step photos make things more easier. Love your instagram as well. It makes me always hungry. lol.
This turned out well, but it was way more than dessert for two. I could have fed four people, at least.
My 5 yo picked these No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes as the dessert he wanted us to make my husband for Father’s Day. It was so easy to make, came together quickly, used just few ingredients, and was so fun! My husband loved it. We served in 4oz mason jars and it was PERFECT for getting a bite of each layer at once. So yummy! Thanks for a great recipe.
So easy! And Yum!
Do you know if you can substitute milk for the heavy cream?
Hi Cheryl, it won’t be an equal swap as you need the heavy cream to make a whipped cream to fold in with the cream cheese. Sorry!
Tried it tonight and it was wonderful!
Super recipe! I’m gonna try it! Thanks
https://www.kazidomi.com/fr/
Awesome recipe Beth! I came from your IG and now following you here and there. lol Love your recipes! I hope you release a cookbook real soon! <3
Beth’s cookbook was released in 2014. Maybe check out her homepage for any details on ordering one. I should probably do that myself since I could make my own ‘booklet’ from all her recipes I’ve collected over the years I’ve been following her lol
Is it possible to use just a stick blender for this instead of a hand mixer?
Hi Mila! Yes you could use a stick blender, but you will want to use a taller bowl or container as you’ll want to make sure the blade is completely submerged so the air can get whipped in.
Actually, here in Florida strawberries are peak season February and March. I think I’m late take advantage and make this!!