Easy No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits
A quick and easy no-bake dessert featuring creamy cheesecake layers, fresh macerated strawberries, and a crunchy graham cracker crust. Perfect for summer and ready in about 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream, cold
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice. Stir gently and let sit for 15 minutes to macerate.
- Crush graham crackers and mix with melted butter until evenly coated. Set aside.
- Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Whip cold heavy cream to stiff peaks and gently fold into the cream cheese mixture.
- Assemble parfaits by layering graham cracker crust, cheesecake filling, and macerated strawberries in serving glasses. Repeat layers, finishing with strawberries on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and layers to set.
Notes
Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for at least 30 minutes for smooth texture. Chill bowl and beaters before whipping cream for better peaks. Macerate strawberries to enhance sweetness and create syrup. Use gentle folding to keep cheesecake filling light and airy. Chill parfaits at least 1 hour for best texture. Optional toppings include fresh mint or cinnamon. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and coconut cream. For gluten-free, substitute graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free crackers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 parfait
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 4
Keywords: no-bake, strawberry, cheesecake, parfaits, summer dessert, easy dessert, quick dessert