Alright, so. Let’s talk dessert. Like, the kind that doesn’t make you sweat in the kitchen. The kind that shows up cute, tastes like heaven, and doesn’t ask you to turn on the oven.
Yeah. We’re doing no bake cheesecake parfaits today.
And look—this isn’t some fancy, fussy thing with ten steps and a blowtorch. Nah. This is me, Kelsey, throwing together something stupid-easy in 15 minutes flat, using stuff I already have or can grab in one grocery trip.
I made these last weekend for a little get-together. No one believed they were this simple. One bite and someone actually said, “Wait… you made this?” Like, wow, thanks. I’ll take that as a win.
So if you want something creamy, crunchy, fruity, and just a little bit indulgent—without the stress? Keep reading.
Because life’s too short for hard desserts.
Let’s be real. Sometimes you want something sweet. But you don’t want to spend hours baking, cooling, chilling, waiting… waiting… still waiting…
This? This skips all that.
No oven. No water bath. No anxiety about cracks in your cheesecake. Just layers of creamy dreaminess, crumbly graham crunch, and juicy berries.
It’s light but satisfying.
It’s pretty but not pretentious.
You can make it ahead.
You can mess it up and it’ll still look cute in a glass.
Also—six servings in 15 minutes. That math checks out.
And if you’re serving people? They’ll think you’re some kind of dessert wizard. (Spoiler: you’re not. You’re just smart.)
Let’s break it down. Not like a science project. Like a “hey, what does this do and why should I care” chat.
Cream cheese (2 packages, 8 oz each, room temp)
The soul of this whole thing. Cream cheese gives that rich, tangy base that screams cheesecake. Room temp is key—cold cream cheese fights you. It’ll lump. It’ll judge you. Just let it sit out 30 minutes before. Be kind to your mixer.
Heavy cream (3 tablespoons)
Not the whipped kind. Just plain heavy cream. It loosens up the cream cheese so the filling isn’t too thick or dense. Think of it as the “smooth operator” of the recipe.
Sugar (5 tablespoons)
Sweetens without going overboard. You still want that cream cheese tang to shine. If you’re using super tart berries, maybe bump it to 6. But start with 5. Taste as you go.
Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
Brightens everything up. Cuts the richness. Makes your taste buds go, “Oh. Ohhh. That’s good.” Bottled? Nah. Fresh-squeezed only. It’s worth the extra 20 seconds.
Lemon zest (2 teaspoons)
This is the secret weapon. Tiny little flecks of lemon skin pack serious flavor. No pith—just the yellow part. It’s like sunshine in a spoon.
Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon)
Warmth. Depth. That classic dessert vibe. Use real vanilla, not the fake brown water. Your dessert deserves better.
Crushed graham crackers (1 ½ cups)
Crunch factor. Base layer. Feels like pie without the crust stress. You can crush them in a bag with a rolling pin, or pulse in a food processor. Or, if you’re like me, just stomp on the bag like it owes you money.
Fresh fruit (1 ½ cups – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, whatever)
I usually go for mixed berries. They’re colorful, juicy, and pair perfectly with cheesecake. Sliced strawberries on top? Chef’s kiss. If you’re feeling wild, lightly macerate them with a pinch of sugar and a splash of lemon—let them sit 10 mins. They’ll release syrup. Fancy.
Whipped cream (1 cup, store-bought or homemade)
For cloud-like fluff on top. Homemade is better (just whip heavy cream + a little sugar), but if you’re in a rush, Cool Whip or store-bought works. No shame.
Because life isn’t perfect. And neither are our kitchens.
And fruit? Go wild. Mango. Peach. Banana. Pineapple. Whatever’s ripe.
Grab your mixer. (Or a bowl and elbow grease—good luck with that.)
Cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar—throw ‘em in. Beat on medium until smooth. Like, no lumps, no resistance, just creamy.
Then add lemon juice, zest, vanilla. Beat another 2–3 minutes until it’s fluffy. Light. Like a dessert cloud.
Taste it. Yes, with a spoon. Is it sweet enough? Tangy enough? Adjust now.
Set it aside.
Grab your glasses. Mason jars, wine glasses, tumblers—whatever you’ve got.
Start with a spoonful of graham cracker crumbs. Pack it down a little. Gives that crust feel.
Then a layer of cheesecake filling. Not too thick—save some for the top.
Then fresh fruit. A few blueberries. Sliced strawberries. Whatever.
Repeat: crumbs, filling, fruit.
Top it off with a big swirl of whipped cream.
If you wanna get fancy, pipe it. If not, slap it on. It’ll still taste amazing.
A few extra crumbs on top. A berry or two. Maybe a mint leaf if you’re feeling extra.
Serve right away. Or chill for an hour if you want it colder.
Oh, absolutely.
Just scale it up. Use a big glass bowl instead of little glasses.
Layer the same way—crumbs, filling, fruit, repeat.
Bigger = more dramatic. Great for parties.
Only warning: it’ll disappear fast.
Yep. But—swap half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt.
All yogurt? Too tart. Too thin.
Half and half? Creamy, tangy, a little lighter.
Use full-fat yogurt. Don’t skimp.
And maybe add an extra tablespoon of sugar. Taste as you go.
Still no-bake. Still delicious. Just… healthier-ish.
So you want that café-style syrup drizzle on top? I got you.
Take ½ cup of your berries. Toss them in a small saucepan with 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Heat on low. Mash them with a fork. Let it bubble gently for 5–7 minutes.
Thicken it? Mix ½ teaspoon cornstarch with 1 teaspoon water. Stir it in. Cook another minute.
Strain if you want it smooth. Or leave the seeds. Your call.
Let it cool. Drizzle over the parfaits. Boom. Fancy.
Alright. That’s it.
No magic. No stress. Just real food, real easy, real good.
Make these. Eat them. Watch people lose their minds.
And if you do? Tag me. I’m @kelsey_makes_things or whatever. Or just tell a friend.
Either way—enjoy. You earned it.
Creamy, dreamy, and ridiculously easy—these no bake cheesecake parfaits are your new go-to dessert. Layers of graham cracker crumbs, velvety cheesecake filling, fresh berries, and fluffy whipped cream come together in minutes—no oven required. Perfect for summer BBQs, last-minute guests, or when you just need a little sweet comfort without the fuss. They’re light, fresh, and fancy enough to impress, but simple enough to make on a lazy Tuesday.
Servings 6
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
I’m a London-based food writer, recipe developer, and home cook who has been passionate about cooking for over 15 years. What started as a way to recreate my mother’s traditional dishes turned into a lifelong love for experimenting with flavors, writing about food, and helping others feel more confident in the kitchen.
