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No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Recipe

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4.4 from 10 reviews

This no-bake cherry cheesecake is a luscious, make-ahead dessert featuring a crunchy vanilla wafer crust, a creamy mascarpone and cream cheese filling, and a sweet balsamic cherry topping. Perfect for gatherings, it combines smooth, tangy cheese layers with fresh cherry compote, all without baking.

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • Vegetable oil cooking spray, for pan
  • 1 ⅓ cups vanilla wafer or shortbread cookies, finely ground (6 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

For the Filling

  • 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
  • ⅔ cup sugar, divided
  • 4 ounces mascarpone cheese (½ cup), room temperature
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (½ cup), room temperature
  • 2 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (¼ cup), room temperature
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use (or ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract)
  • ¼ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup heavy cream

For the Topping

  • 1 pound sweet cherries, halved and pitted (3 cups), divided
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • ½ cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  1. Prep springform pan and make crust: Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper. In a bowl, stir together the finely ground vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies, melted butter, sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling to allow the crust to set.
  2. Make filling: Using a mixer set to medium speed, combine the sour cream, 1/3 cup of the sugar, mascarpone cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese, vanilla seeds or extract, and finely grated lemon zest. Beat until the mixture is very smooth, approximately 4 minutes. To ensure a silky texture, pass the mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl, discarding any solids.
  3. Whisk cream and fold into filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and the remaining 1/3 cup sugar until medium peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cheese filling mixture until fully incorporated without deflating the whipped cream.
  4. Assemble, freeze, then chill: Spread the filling evenly over the chilled crust in the springform pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Transfer the assembled cheesecake to the freezer and chill until firm, for at least 2 hours. Before serving, move the cheesecake from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 45 minutes to soften slightly.
  5. Make topping: In a small saucepan, combine half of the cherries with the sugar, balsamic vinegar, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Uncover and continue simmering until the cherries become soft, about 3 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth and then stir this slurry into the cherry mixture. Simmer for 1 minute until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining fresh cherries. Allow the topping to cool, then refrigerate until ready to use.
  6. Serve: Before serving, run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan. Release and remove the sides of the springform pan. Transfer the cheesecake to a serving platter. Remove the cinnamon stick from the cherry topping, then spoon the cherry mixture over the top of the cheesecake. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Notes

  • For best flavor and texture, use room temperature dairy products when making the filling.
  • The crust can be made in advance and refrigerated until ready to assemble.
  • If you don’t have a vanilla bean, pure vanilla extract is a great substitute.
  • Leftover cheesecake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within two days.
  • Freezing leftover cheesecake is not recommended as it may alter the texture of the filling.
  • Ensure to freeze the assembled cheesecake before chilling to allow it to set properly.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/no-bake-cherry-cheesecake-recipe-2/