No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Recipe

I love Cherry Cheesecake! So much so that I had it served at my wedding reception. My love for it started the first time I tasted this No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake recipe when I was in Middle School. I’m sure my mom got her inspiration from this popular No-bake Cheesecake recipe (But this version is better). 

Prep Time: 25 mins | Cook Time: 4 hrs 30 mins | Total Time: 4 hrs 45 mins

• Yields: 14 servings

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 8 oz. vanilla wafers (about 55 cookies)
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 8 Tbsp. salted butter, melted
• Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dish

For the filling:

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3/4 tsp. almond extract
• 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling

Instructions:

1. For the crust: Pulse the vanilla wafers and brown sugar in a food processor until finely ground, about 1 minute. With the processor running, slowly pour in the melted butter. Process the mixture until it is the texture of coarse sand.
2. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the cookie mixture to the dish and press it into the bottom, using the flat bottom of a measuring cup to make an even layer (press firmly). Freeze for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 days.
3. For the filling: In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
4. Combine the cream cheese and almond extract in the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (no need to wipe the bowl clean). Beat on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a rubber spatula to mix in a third of the whipped cream by hand, then gently fold in the rest. Spread over the vanilla wafer crust in an even layer.
5. Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top in an even layer. Chill until set, at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours. (If chilling longer than 4 hours, cover with plastic.)

Tip:

Cherry delight can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, but for the best presentation, serve it within 12 hours of assembling.