This no bake cool whip cheesecake is what dreams are made of. With a rich and creamy smooth filling, you can't help but reach for another piece. This is one tasty cheesecake recipe you won't want to share, and I feel the same.
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I absolutely love cheesecake, but baking them is always a tricky hassle. Thankfully, no-bake recipes are foolproof.
My favorites include No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake, Smores Ice Cream Pie, and No Bake Kool Aid Pie. But this cream cheese cool whip pie recipe is simple, easy, and perfect for any occasion.
No-bake cheesecake is delightful, offering a creamy texture and rich, tangy flavor. It's quick and easy to make, requiring only blending and chilling.
Best of all, you don't need to turn on the oven, making it ideal for hot summer days when you crave a sweet treat without heating up the kitchen.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Buzz From Readers
"This is the perfect dessert when you want something impressive, but you don't have the time to make a traditional cheesecake! Love the recipe!"
- Jen
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This cold dessert is perfect for any occasion. While not as cold as Peanut Butter Mason Jar Ice Cream and Chocolate Mason Jar Ice Cream, you can serve this cheesecake up for a weeknight treat, a holiday feast, birthday, or anniversary and it's sure to be loved by all.
- It tastes incredible. Every bite is so gosh darn tasty it's impossible to resist- and I should know, considering I ate my pie within a few days and almost all to myself.
- Toppings are optional (but delicious). Add your favorite cheesecake toppings like glazed strawberries, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.
🛒 Ingredients
Cream cheese. The base of the filling. Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in the cheesecake.
Sour cream. Balances the sweetness and helps create a softer, smoother texture.
Cool Whip. Adds stability and a light, fluffy texture. If you have extra, try it in our Creamy Vanilla Fruit Dip.
Graham cracker crust. Use a prepared graham cracker crust, store bought or homemade No Bake Graham Cracker Crust. For a fun twist, add half a cup of rainbow sprinkles to a homemade crust.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Variety of Crusts: Explore different crust options such as graham cracker, Oreo, or pretzel crusts.
Creative Fillings: Enhance the flavor with additions like lemon zest, chocolate chips, or fresh fruit.
Customizable Creations: Tailor cheesecakes to your taste by creating unique combinations for any occasion.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store-brand dairy. Generic cream cheese, sour cream, and whipped topping work just as well and cost less.
Swap ingredients smartly. Greek yogurt can replace sour cream if that's what you already have on hand.
Make your own crust if needed. A homemade graham cracker crust can be cheaper than pre-made if you have crackers and butter available.
🥄 Instructions for No Bake Cool Whip Cheesecake
Step 1: Cream together the sugar and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
Step 2: Blend in the sour cream and vanilla until well mixed.
Step 3: Fold in your cool whip.
Step 4: Spoon the batter into a prepared graham cracker crust. Level the top of the pie and then cover it with plastic wrap.
Step 5: Place the cheesecake in the fridge to chill for about 4 hours before serving.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Softening Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is soft before use by wrapping it in a warm towel for 10 minutes.
- Chill Before Serving: While optional, chilling the cheesecake before serving ensures clean slices and prevents ingredients from becoming too soft.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store the cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Make Ahead: This cheesecake is ideal for making ahead. Prepare it a day in advance and let it chill until ready to serve. For faster setting, chill in the freezer for about 2 hours, then transfer to the fridge.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve this cheesecake with fresh berries, fruit pie filling, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce. It also pairs well with coffee, tea, or a light fruit salad for balance.
- Chocolate Covered Cheesecake StrawberriesRecipe $5.53 / Serving $1.38
- Sugar Free Cherry Pie FillingRecipe $8.19 / Serving $1.02
- Mixed Berry Pie FillingRecipe $7.91 / Serving $0.99
- 10 Minute Salted Caramel SauceRecipe $2.02 / Serving $0.25
❓ Recipe FAQs
If you don't wish to use sour cream you can use any Greek yogurts in it's place. This could also be a fun way to experiment with changing up the flavors. Use strawberry Greek yogurt or honey Greek yogurt for a fun new twist. Do not use regular yogurts as they have too high of a water content and the pie will not set properly.
This cheesecake is good for about 3-5 days if left covered in the fridge. Do not let sit at room temperature for too long (1 hour or more) unless serving as this is a dessert best served cold.
Yes! If you want to use homemade whipped cream instead then go for it! An 8 ounce tub of cool whip has about 3 cups of whipped topping inside so you'll want the same amount of your homemade whipped cream to get similar results.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
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- Ground Beef Pot PieRecipe $10.66 / Serving $1.79
- Pumpkin Hand PiesRecipe $4.19 / Serving $0.52
🐝 If you tried this No Bake Cool Whip Cheesecake, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
No Bake Cool Whip Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened - ($1.86)
- ½ cup granulated sugar - ($0.18)
- 1 cup sour cream - ($1.00)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract - ($0.09)
- 1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed - ($1.07)
- 1 prepared graham cracker crust - ($2.94)
Instructions
- Cream the base. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth.
- Add dairy and vanilla. Blend in the sour cream and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Fold in topping. Gently fold in the whipped topping until incorporated.
- Fill and chill. Spoon the filling into the prepared graham cracker crust, smooth the top, and cover. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Cream cheese tip. Fully softened cream cheese helps prevent lumps in the filling.
- Substitutions. Sour cream can be replaced with Greek yogurt. Homemade whipped cream can be used instead of whipped topping.
- Faster set. Chill in the freezer for about 2 hours to firm more quickly, then transfer to the refrigerator.
- Storage. Store covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Nutritional Information
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Jen Talley says
This is the perfect dessert when you want something impressive, but you don't have the time to make a traditional cheesecake! Love the recipe!
Nicole says
Absolutely! Thanks so much! 🙂