Warm cinnamon. Melty cream cheese. A graham cracker crust that tastes like fall. This No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake smells like my aunt’s kitchen in Novemberloud, messy, full of love. It’s trending everywhere right now and honestly? Totally deserves the spotlight.
This dessert brings together spiced fried apples, smooth whipped cheesecake filling, and a buttery no-bake crust. It’s like someone merged apple pie and cheesecake… but made it shockingly simple. No oven, no fuss. One of my favorite easy Thanksgiving apple desserts. Full details in the blog!
I first made this Thanksgiving weekon hour five of cooking and down to one clean spoon. Still nailed it. That balance of crunchy crust and soft apple warmth? Took a few test batches to perfect, but wow. I tested it. You’ll love the secret!
Enjoy this No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake, a perfect dessert for Friendsgiving gatherings. This Apple Pie Cheesecake No Bake recipe is simple to prepare and delivers a delightful combination of creamy and fruity flavors, ideal for Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cup Graham Crackers crushed
½ cup unsalted butter melted
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened
3 cups lite Cool Whip thawed
1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter
4 apples peeled or cored and chopped (I used Gala apples)
½ cup water
2 tsp cornstarch
½ cup light brown sugar packed
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter cubed room temperature
½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups vanilla ice cream
Instructions
Warm your oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
Press this mixture evenly onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan and bake it for 12 minutes until golden. Allow the crust to cool completely.
Beat cream cheese and Cool Whip together on medium speed until smooth.
Gradually add sugar, about 1/3 cup at a time, then blend in cinnamon until mixed evenly.
Pour this filling onto the cooled crust and chill for at least 3 and a half hours or overnight to firm up.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped apples and cook while stirring frequently for 6 to 8 minutes.
Stir water mixed with cornstarch into the apples, then mix in brown sugar and cinnamon. Let the mixture boil gently while stirring for 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the skillet from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let the topping cool for 5 minutes.
Spread the apple topping evenly over the set cheesecake.
Optionally, make caramel sauce by melting sugar in a saucepan over medium heat while whisking for 8 to 10 minutes until light brown.
Remove from heat and whisk in butter until smooth.
Slowly mix in heavy cream while whisking continuously and cool for 10 minutes.
Serve each slice of cheesecake topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Notes
Refrigerate cheesecake up to 5 days Caramel sauce will keep in refrigerator up to 2 weeks Caramel sauce yields 1 ½ cups
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:4 hours, 10 minutes
Method:Baked
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 slice
Calories:450 kcal
Sugar:40g
Sodium:300mg
Fat:30g
Saturated Fat:15g
Unsaturated Fat:8g + 5g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:35g
Fiber:3g
Protein:6g
Cholesterol:70mg
Why You’ll Love This No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake
This recipe is all about comfort and easetwo things we truly appreciate during the bustling holiday season. Picture this: a buttery graham cracker crust, a velvety cheesecake filling, and a warm, spiced apple topping, all without needing your oven. This dessert is not only elegant enough for your Thanksgiving table but also simple enough to whip up amidst the hustle of Friendsgiving prep.
Here’s why this one’s a winner:
No oven needed: That’s right, you’re free to save precious oven space for your turkey or stuffing.
Pure Comfort: Every bite brings a wave of comforting flavors, as if apple pie and your favorite cheesecake had a delightful fall festival reunion.
Beginner-Friendly: Crafting this no-bake masterpiece is significantly less stressful than wrestling with traditional pie crusts. We promise!
Key Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need
Let’s break this down so nothing sneaks up on you mid-recipe. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than realizing you’re out of cinnamon when your hands are sticky with cream cheese. Everything here is simple and likely already in your pantry or fridge!
Graham crackers, butter, and cinnamon: These form the perfect base for your graham cracker crust. No fancy food processors neededa zip-top bag and rolling pin work just fine for crushing crackers.
Philadelphia cream cheese: This is your cheesecake foundation. Let it soften on the counter for ultimate creaminess.
Cool Whip: The unsung hero hereit keeps our cheesecake filling light and airy. Just make sure it’s thawed for easy mixing.
Gala apples, butter, and spices: The apple pie topping brings cozy warmth. Don’t forget the cornstarchit’s essential for achieving that beautifully thickened topping!
Tools you’ll want: A 9-inch springform pan, an electric mixer, and a trusty skillet for that glorious apple topping.
Simple Steps to Make It
Let’s assemble this showstopper layer by layer! Imagine us chatting in the kitchen while you mix, press, and whip your way to dessert greatness.
Step 1: Build your crust. Combine the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Press the mixture into a springform pan (don’t forget the sides!). Bake for 12 minutes for that toasty flavor. Let it cool completelythis is key for sturdy, non-soggy crust perfection.
Step 2: Whip up the filling. With your electric mixer, blend softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Pour it into the cooled crust and pop the whole thing in the fridge for at least 3 ½ hours (or overnight) to chill and set.
Step 3: Make the apple pie topping. In a skillet over medium heat, cook apples with butter for about 6-8 minutes, stirring to coat them evenly. Add the cornstarch slurry to thicken, followed by brown sugar and cinnamon for major fall flavor. Stir until slightly thickened, then cool for 5 minutes before spreading it gently over the cheesecake.
Step
Timing
Prep and Bake Crust
15 minutes
Mix and Chill Cheesecake
3 ½+ hours
Cook Apple Topping
10 minutes
Pro Tips & Variations
Let’s make sure your no-bake cheesecake is flawless from start to finish with these insider hacks:
Shortcut crust hack: If you’re short on time, skip baking the crust and press it firmly, unbaked, into the pan. It’ll still hold together beautifully.
Swap apples: No Gala apples? Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for extra sweetness are great substitutes.
Make it ahead: This dessert tastes even better when the flavors have time to meld overnight. Prep it the night before your big gathering.
Note: Want some extra flair? Drizzle that homemade caramel sauce right when you’re serving. It’s an optional touch that adds an irresistible layer of indulgence!
How to Serve & Store
Once your no-bake apple pie cheesecake is ready to impress, here’s how to keep it fresh and fabulous.
Serving: Run a warm, clean knife around the edges of the springform pan before releasing. To plate up, a drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream will make this irresistible.
Storing: Cover the cheesecake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Leftover caramel sauce can chill in the fridge for up to 2 weeksif you don’t eat it straight from the jar!
Storage Method
Time
Refrigerator (Cheesecake)
Up to 5 days
Refrigerator (Caramel Sauce)
Up to 2 weeks
Expert Says
The NO BAKE APPLE PIE CHEESECAKE combines the creamy texture of cheesecake with the natural sweetness and fiber of apples, making it a balanced dessert option. Using gelatin or agar helps the filling set without baking, preserving fresh flavors and nutrient integrity often lost in high-heat methods.
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Mastering the No-Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake
This no-bake apple pie cheesecake didn’t come together overnight. After a few attemptsonce ending with a crust that refused to setI finally nailed the right balance of creamy and cinnamon-spiced. This recipe is the result of those trial-and-error moments, turning every misstep into a slice of comfort worth sharing.
FAQs ( No-Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake )
How do I make the crust for this no-bake cheesecake?
Use finely crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits mixed with melted butter and a little sugar. Press the mixture firmly into your pan to create an even base. Chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set before adding the filling, ensuring it holds together well when sliced.
Can I use fresh apples or should I cook them first?
For this dish, lightly cooking the apples beforehand enhances flavor and softens texture, making it easier to fold into the filling. Sauté them briefly with cinnamon and a touch of sugar, then cool before mixing. This prevents a raw apple taste and keeps the cheesecake smooth.
How long does the cheesecake need to chill?
For best results, chill the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the filling to fully set without baking. Proper chilling ensures clean slices and helps flavors meld beautifully for a perfect Friendsgiving dessert experience.
Can I make this dessert a day ahead?
Absolutely. Making this recipe a day ahead gives the flavors time to develop and the texture to firm up nicely. Store it covered in the fridge, and bring to room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving for the best taste and presentation.
What are some good substitutions for dairy or gluten?
To make this dish dairy-free, use cream cheese alternatives made from nuts or coconut, and choose non-dairy butter for the crust. For a gluten-free crust, swap graham crackers with gluten-free cookies or nut-based options. These swaps maintain texture and flavor without losing the dessert’s charm.
Conclusion
From start to finish, this No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake is incredibly easy to prepare. Just a few hours of chilling time transforms simple ingredients into pure dessert bliss. You’ll adore how the crunchy crust perfectly cradles that silky, spiced cheesecake filling, all topped with tender, warm fried apples. It’s the kind of dessert that evokes cozy fall memories with every bitea true Friendsgiving showstopper that saves on oven space.
Here’s a little secret from my own kitchen: for an extra zing, try swapping Gala for tart Granny Smith apples, and a quick drizzle of caramel just before serving elevates this treat to another level. Have leftovers? Simply cover tightly and refrigeratethis beautiful cheesecake holds up wonderfully for days. Trust me, once you try this no-bake apple cheesecake, you’ll have a new go-to for easy Thanksgiving apple desserts that delivers homemade taste without any stress.
Did this recipe bring back any apple pie memories or inspire your own cozy twist? I’d love to hear your stories or see how your cheesecake turned out! Don’t forget to save and share this Friendsgiving dessert recipe with anyone who deserves a little sweet comfort this season. Here’s to simple joys and delicious moments made together.
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
