This No Bake Cheesecake Parfait is the easiest way to make an extra-special, crowd-pleasing dessert with almost no effort. You get all the creamy goodness of classic cheesecake layered with crunchy cookie crumbs, fresh fruit, whipped cream, and whatever fun toppings your heart desires, without turning on the oven. The customizable parfait setup makes it perfect for feeding a group. Everyone gets their own little treat, and doesn’t everything taste better eaten out of a fancy glass? Originally published April 11, 2014.
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Do you ever misspell a word so many times that even when you get it right it looks wrong?
Parfat. Parfaight. Parfaite. Parfaaaaaaaaay. Spellcheck and Google are both reassuring me that parfait is correct, but I can’t trust anyone anymore. They’re ALL WRONG.
I’m pretty sure this is a French word, always a dangerous road when it comes to spelling. Like charlatan, for example. The first time I thought of naming my blog The Food Charlatan I googled how to spell ‘charlatan’ first. (Who would have guessed that “a” is the only vowel?) When I’m talking to people In Real Life and they want to know how to find my blog I say, first Google charlatan, then Google food charlatan. Prooooobably I should get some business cards.
Cheesecake parfaits: the star of your next party
Eric was so sad that I finished off the last of this parfait without him that he left for the store to buy more ingredients for it within minutes of learning that I was a bad sharer. That’s how good it is. I didn’t even mind making it again because it requires like zero effort. (Also, we had leftover toppings. It’s easy to run into the too-much-milk-now-I-need-more-cereal problem with this dessert.)
I love this no bake parfait idea so much that I used it Charlotte’s 3rd birthday party. I had no plans to post it on the blog, but EVERYONE at the party was raving about it and 2 people texted me that week for the recipe because they were already planning on using it to entertain.
As far as party food goes, this recipe is preeeeeetty tough to beat. 100% make ahead-able? Check. Adaptable to different tastes and audiences? Check. Easy to serve? It’s self-serve. Check. 1000% delicious? Triple check.
The cheesecake layer is basic and can be paired with just about anything. I used cherry pie filling, strawberries, blueberries (with lemon zest!) aaaaaaaand some Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels. Of course. Because I’m obsessed. Don’t doubt me. It was awesome. #sorrynotsorry
I think this No Bake Cheesecake Parfait Bar would be an awesome dessert to serve at an Easter gathering. Light, fresh, and portable, so that you can carry it with you while you are sneaking your kids’ Easter candy helping them search for eggs.
Featured Comment
“It’s always so hard to find super easy but delicious desserts out there, and this one was parfection! Me(and all of my siblings) thank you. It was a big hit!
– Eveny B.
Key ingredients
Guess what that cheesecake layer is you guys? Three ingredients. That’s it.
- Cream cheese – Skip the reduced fat, or, even worse, fat free. You need the full fat stuff here.
- Sweetened condensed milk aka liquid magic.
- Vanilla bean paste – You can totally use regular vanilla in this recipe. It will taste great. But it will taste AMAZING if you use vanilla bean paste. I asked for it for Christmas and got this huge giant bottle. I swear I use it like every other day.
How to make no bake cheesecake parfaits
Beat the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until it’s silky smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla (or vanilla bean paste!) and mix until everything is fully combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
Look at those vanilla specks. I. love. it
Transfer the cheesecake filling to a pretty serving bowl, cover, and chill for 2-3 hours so it gets nice and cool.
While that chills, melt the butter in a medium bowl and stir in the graham cracker crumbs. But don´t pulverize them into dust. You want those little crunchy bits.
Set out all your toppings in separate bowls and let everyone build their own parfait masterpiece. More whipped cream? Absolutely. Extra cookie crumbs? Yes please. Dessert is served!
What toppings should I use for my parfait?
The real fun here comes from the toppings. I had fun brainstorming some other flavors you could use. But go wild. This is your dessert.
- Apple pie filling with caramel and crumble topping
- Oreo and chocolate syrup
- Peanut butter and Snickers
- Roasted bananas and butterscotch sauce
- Raspberry pistachio
- Peppermint ganache
- Don´t forget about Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels. Of course. Because I’m obsessed.
How to store leftover cheesecake parfaits
Store any leftover cheesecake filling covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the graham cracker crumbs and toppings stored separately so everything stays fresh and crunchy.
Can I freeze leftover parfaits?
Yes! The cheesecake filling freezes beautifully! Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then give it a quick stir before serving. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled parfaits. Use fresh toppings and graham crackers when reassembling.
More No-Bake Desserts
No Bake Cheesecake Parfait Bar
Ingredients
- 2 8-oz packages cream cheese, or neufchâtel, softened
- 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla, or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- Your choice of toppings: pie filling, fresh fruit, lemon zest, chopped up brownies, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, etc.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until completely smooth, 1-2 minutes.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla (or vanilla bean paste) and combine thoroughly, scraping the sides.
- Transfer to a pretty bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled 2-3 hours.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium bowl. Add the graham cracker crumbs (they don’t have to be perfectly crushed) and mix it up.
- Divide toppings among separate bowls.
- Let people serve themselves! Party on.
Awesome idea dude. I think kids would have the best time with this! You could even do an Oreo crust to mix it up. Oh man that sounds good. It all looks good! And not crazy filling.
If I pin this, my husband will see it. If my husband sees this, he will want me to make these. If I make these, I will feel like I should have a party to go with them. If I have a party, I will have to clean the house . . .
Oh who cares, I’m pinning it anyway. (Can you tell how many times I’ve read “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?” to Wendy? Can you tell how much it has affected my poor sleep-deprived brain?)
Beautiful photos, Karen, as always. :)
Freaking #ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I can’t even use social media right right now I’m so excited because I mean going from reading about these AMAZING looking parfaits and thinking about how amazing those butterscotch things looked to suddenly finding out I WON some free ones!??!?!?!?!?! BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!! I mean really.
!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS KAREN! ALSO YOUR PHOTOS ARE GORGEOUS AS USUAL and wow that was obnoxious but I felt like telling you that very.emphatically.
Erika I’m so glad you won!! You were actually the 3rd winner, the first 2 didn’t get back to me but now I’m glad :) PLEASE tell me you will eat them all in one day so that I feel better about my life choices.
PS thanks for the photog compliment. I’m always so surprised when REAL photographers compliment me. If you could see any picture I take that is NOT of food, in the same spot on my sunlit table with the same exact settings every single time, then you would know just how much of a charlatan I am.
Eating them in one day = is that even a question? And girl please–you make food look drool-worthy in every.single.post!
I would like to sample all of those! They are all so gorgeous!
Oh my do I love some vanilla bean paste too! I first got it for a salted honey pie recipe and will never use plain extract again if I don’t have to. LOVE seeing the little vanilla dots and it has so much more flavor I think.
Salted honey pie!!!!!!!! recipe!!!!?
Agreed. bean paste is like the celestial version of vanilla.
Oh man these cheesecake parfaits sound divine and making a bar of them is genius! Great idea for easy entertaining!
Thanks Katie! Easy self serve stuff makes parties so much more fun I think.
Ok whenever I type your blog name, I always have to do a double take, there are a lot of ‘A’s in there! Loveee these parfaits, I could literally drink sweet and condensed milk….
I know, it’s the one thing I hate about my blog name. Not exactly easy to search for, haha. (I’m with you on drinking s.c.m. have you ever bought the squeeze bottles?? Dan.ger.ous.
Wow Karen. Now this is my kind of dessert! I love when you get to “create your own” with toppings and layers. I go a little nuts when I go to those frozen yogurt bars and you get to do your own toppings. By the end my yogurts weighs like a pound. Whoops!
hahaha Natalie I love imagining you in the toppings section at the frozen yogurt place. We need to get yogurt together sometime :)
Easter panic averted. I was going to bake a cake. And a pie. But this is way better. You have probably saved my relationship with my children by providing this fantastic idea (because when I get too involved in baking, there’s screaming, and mud throwing, and….you get the idea).
Now you can just make this, and when they throw it at least you haven’t wasted time making a cake. :) tell me what toppings you use I need more ideas!!!
Oh my gosh we are totally on the same wavelength as far as cheesecake is concerned! I JUST posted no-bake cheesecake parfaits last night and today you’re sharing this GORGEOUS cheesecake parfaits bar! I’m just loving all your fun cheesecake variations especially that drool-worthy chocolate one! pinned.
Once again, Sarah, we are awesome.
This just might be the perfect dessert for Easter Karen, like that it is self serve, certainly checks all the boxes.
Beautiful and so many ways to please the different palates around the house. Love the use of the lemon zest.
I’m glad you can tell it was lemon zest Peter. My husband thought it was cheddar cheese in the pictures, and I was like noooooo!!! :)
This was incredible! So glad you posted this today. I’m having a CAbi show tonight and this is the perfect dessert to serve! I even have all the ingredients!!
Did you make it Kris? How’d it turn out, what toppings did you use?
I did! It was a BIG hit and I gave YOU all the credit! I had cherry pie filling, chopped strawberries, bananas, blackberries, chocolate and caramel sauce, toffee bits and lemon zest. My favorite was the strawberries, bananas, caramel sauce and toffee bits. I served it in footed dessert dishes and a lot of the women had a couple different parfaits. Really easy, really good and really fun! Lots of compliments and requests for the recipe. Thanks Karen!
I repeatedly misspell some words. It drives me insane, but thank goodness for spellcheck. Sometimes it seems like the harder I try the worse it gets. These parfaits look so amazing….Wishing I could have one for breakfast this morning.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks cheesecake for breakfast is ok.
Hi. I love your blog, you’re hilarious and I like that.
I also really like cheesecake.And easy cheesecake that I don’t have to bake so I can skip the gym and just face plant into it RIGHT now instead.
Not that I’m debating doing that right now or anything….
But, I am pinning this.
You, know…just in case.
Thanks so much Taylor! I like your style. Skipping the gym to get to the cheesecake :) thanks for pinning!