No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake

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When you’re craving a dessert that’s equal parts festive and indulgent but don’t want to touch the oven, this No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake is the dreamy answer. With a smooth, creamy filling and a perfect hint of tartness from the cranberry sauce, this chilled treat feels luxurious without being heavy.

The contrast of white chocolate and cranberry is timeless, giving the cheesecake both richness and zing. Plus, the no-bake crust made with buttery graham crackers means you can throw this together without breaking a sweat. It’s an easy make-ahead option that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or whenever you’re short on time but big on flavor.

Why You’ll Love This No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake

This cheesecake checks all the boxes: it’s easy, elegant, and utterly delicious. It sets up beautifully in the fridge, meaning no water baths or cracked tops. The flavor combo is crowd-pleasing, and because it’s served chilled, it’s a refreshing end to any meal. It’s especially perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas when cranberries are at their peak and you’re likely busy with other dishes.

Can I Use Store-Bought Cranberry Sauce for This Cheesecake?

Absolutely. While homemade cranberry sauce offers more control over sweetness and tartness, a good-quality canned version works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure it’s whole-berry for the best texture and look. If you have leftover sauce from a holiday meal, this is a great way to use it up and turn it into a brand-new dessert.

Ingredients for the No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake

This cheesecake brings together a mix of creamy, sweet, and tart ingredients for a balanced and decadent bite.

Graham cracker crumbs provide a toasty, buttery base that doesn’t need baking.

Unsalted butter holds the crust together and adds rich flavor.

Cream cheese is the heart of the filling, giving it that classic cheesecake tang and creaminess.

White chocolate chips melt into the filling, adding sweetness and smoothness.

Heavy cream helps whip the filling into a light, mousse-like texture.

Powdered sugar sweetens the filling without making it gritty.

Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor with warmth and depth.

Whole-berry cranberry sauce adds brightness and contrast, layered into the cheesecake or swirled on top.

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How To Make the No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake

Step 1: Make the Crust

Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until evenly coated. Press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan and chill while preparing the filling.

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate

Gently melt the white chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Beat the Cream Cheese

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix until combined.

Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate and Whip the Cream

Slowly fold in the cooled white chocolate. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture.

Step 5: Assemble the Cheesecake

Pour half of the filling over the crust, then dollop and swirl in half the cranberry sauce. Repeat with the remaining filling and cranberry sauce. Smooth the top.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm. Carefully remove from the pan, slice, and serve chilled.

Serving and Storing This No-Bake Cheesecake

This cheesecake serves 8 to 10 people generously. It holds its shape well when sliced, making it a fantastic presentation piece for gatherings. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze slices individually wrapped for up to a month, though the texture may soften slightly when thawed.

What to Serve With No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake?

Fresh Berries

Add a pop of color and a fresh contrast with raspberries or blueberries on the plate.

Whipped Cream

A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a dreamy finishing touch.

Dark Chocolate Shavings

Sprinkle some over the top for a slight bitterness to balance the sweetness.

Shortbread Cookies

Serve a few alongside the cheesecake slice for a buttery crunch.

Hot Mulled Cider

The warm spices pair beautifully with the cool cranberry flavors.

Champagne or Sparkling Juice

Perfect for a celebratory dessert course.

Pistachio Dust

For a nutty and colorful garnish that complements the white chocolate.

Want More Cheesecake Ideas with a Twist?

If you love this no-bake cranberry white chocolate cheesecake, you’ll probably enjoy these other creative cheesecake and dessert recipes:

Butter Pecan Cheesecake for a nutty, southern-inspired twist.
White Chocolate Orange Creamsicle Truffles if you’re into citrusy creamsicle vibes.
Heavenly No-Bake Banana Split Cheesecake when you want nostalgic fun in dessert form.
Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies for more melt-in-your-mouth indulgence.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use homemade cranberry sauce or the store-bought kind? Did you sneak in a touch of orange zest?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other make cheesecake magic.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!

Conclusion

This No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake is everything you want in a holiday dessert: no stress, full of flavor, and always a hit. It looks stunning on the table and tastes even better than it looks. Whether you’re celebrating with family or treating yourself, this easy cheesecake brings a little sparkle to any day.

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No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake

No-Bake Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake


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  • Author: Zoe Adelson
  • Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8–10 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This no-bake cranberry white chocolate cheesecake is a festive and creamy dessert featuring layers of tangy cranberry sauce and silky white chocolate filling over a graham cracker crust. Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any holiday, it’s easy to make ahead and requires no oven time. An ideal crowd-pleasing treat with bright, sweet-tart flavor and beautiful presentation.


Ingredients

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

¾ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 ounces white chocolate chips, melted and cooled

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce


Instructions

1. Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until evenly coated.

2. Press the crust into a springform pan and chill while preparing the filling.

3. Melt white chocolate chips gently and let cool slightly.

4. Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla.

5. Fold in the cooled white chocolate until fully incorporated.

6. Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold into the mixture.

7. Spread half of the filling over the crust. Swirl in half the cranberry sauce.

8. Repeat with the remaining filling and cranberry sauce. Smooth the top.

9. Chill for at least 6 hours or overnight until fully set.

10. Remove from pan, slice, and serve chilled.

Notes

This cheesecake can be made 1–2 days ahead.

Use homemade or whole-berry store-bought cranberry sauce.

You can swirl the cranberry sauce or layer it for different looks.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 24g
  • Sodium: 190mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
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