This Philadelphia no bake cheesecake recipe can be made in just minutes and it turns out so rich, so smooth, and so creamy! And, that might seem too good to be true, but this simple and easy cheesecake recipe is very much the real deal! It's made with just a few simple ingredients like cream cheese, fluffy cool whip, and tangy sour cream, and the best part is that you don't even have to turn the oven on to make it!
Table of Contents
The Best Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake Recipe
I love, love, love cheesecake.
And let me tell you, this no bake Philadelphia cheesecake recipe is at the top of my list as far as quick and easy cheesecake recipes go.
It combines cream cheese with cool whip and sour cream to make the perfect cheesecake filling for a crumbly graham cracker crust.
I love serving it for Thanksgiving - and Christmas - along with my famous pumpkin custard pie and sweet potato cobbler. So, if you're hosting the holiday's this year, you might want to check those recipes out too.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick and easy. All you have to do to prepare the cheesecake is mix the ingredients, and it'll take you no more than 5 minutes.
Simple ingredients. You need just a handful of ingredients to make this recipe, and they're all super basic.
Make ahead recipe. Since this is a no bake cheesecake, you can prepare it and then just let it chill in the fridge for up to four days before serving it.
The perfect cheesecake. This recipe makes the ideal cheesecake with a rich, smooth, and creamy filling on a buttery graham cracker crust, and it turns out perfect every single time.
Every occasion dessert. It's perfect for the holidays, and also makes a terrific summer dessert since this is a no bake recipe.
Ingredients
So, as I mentioned earlier, this cheesecake recipe is so easy to make. I mean, you only need 6 simple ingredients to make it - how easy does that sound?!
Anyway, here's everything you'll need to make this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake:
- 1 (8 oz.) Package Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 (8 oz.) Container Cool Whip
- 1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
How To Make Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake
Now, the steps required to make this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake recipe are super simple. Even if you've never made cheesecake before, you'll find this to be a breeze and turn out perfect.
Keep in mind that although this recipe only takes about 10 minutes to make, the cheesecake will have to chill in the fridge for a few hours.
So, you'll want to plan accordingly if you're serving it that day. But if you don't need it for a few days, you can totally make it ahead of time - more on that later.
Now, let's stop wasting time and get into it!
Step 1: Make The No Bake Cheesecake Filling
First, you'll make the smooth and creamy cheesecake filling.
To do that, add the Philadelphia cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl.
Then, using an electric mixer, mix all of these ingredients together until they're soft and creamy and peaks just begin to form.
Step 2: Fold In The Cool Whip
After the cheesecake mixture is combined, you can complete the no bake cheesecake filling.
So, add the cool whip to the bowl and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture with a rubber spatula until it just combines. Just keep in mind you don't want to overmix the filling.
Step 3: Assemble The No Bake Cheesecake
To finish up, pour the cheesecake filling on top of the graham cracker crust.
Then, you're going to transfer the filling to the graham cracker pie crust and refrigerate for about 4 hours or until the cheesecake has firmed up. You can also keep it in the refrigerator overnight and serve it the next day.
Finally, take the chilled cheesecake out of the fridge, slice it, and enjoy!
Tips To Make The Best Recipe
- Gently fold the cream cheese filling ingredients together and make sure you only mix until they just combine.
- Use room temperature cream cheese, so it makes it easier to mix everything together and achieve a creamy filling.
- Add a little lemon juice to brighten up the flavors of the cheesecake.
- Make a homemade graham cracker crust if you want to take the recipe to another level.
Topping Ideas
- Seasonal fresh fruit or fresh berries
- Strawberry pie filling
- Cherry pie filling
- Caramel sauce
- Butterscotch
- Chocolate chips and chocolate ganache
- Sprinkles
- Fresh whipped cream
How To Store Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake
In the fridge: Transfer the cheesecake to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
In the freezer: Wrap the cheese slices in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Let the frozen cheesecake thaw in the fridge before enjoying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make no bake cheesecake without Cool Whip?
Yes, you can use whipped cream instead. Just beat heavy whipping cream in a bowl until stiff peaks form, and then add it to the filling and gently fold.
What is no bake cheesecake filling made of?
It has a simple combination of ingredients that really create the perfect filling. The ingredients are Philadelphia cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and Cool Whip.
Is no bake cheesecake as good as baked cheesecake?
Both are really delicious, and it depends on your preference. A no bake cheesecake has a rich filling texture that is almost like custard, and a baked cheesecake has a lighter, almost spongy filling.
More Dessert Recipes
- Caramel cake
- No bake pumpkin pie
- Biscoff cheesecake
- Reese's peanut butter pie
- No bake chocolate pie
- No bake Oreo pie
- Fudge pie
Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake Recipe Made With Only 6 Ingredients

This Philadelphia no bake cheesecake recipe can be made in just minutes and it turns out so rich, so smooth, and so creamy! And, that might seem too good to be true, but this simple and easy cheesecake recipe is very much the real deal! It's made with just a few simple ingredients like cream cheese, fluffy cool whip, and tangy sour cream, and the best part is that you don't even have to turn the oven on to make it!
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz.) Package Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 (8 oz.) Container Cool Whip
- 1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, mix the Philadelphia cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy and soft (peaks should start to form).
- Add the cool whip to the bowl and gently fold it into the mixture with a rubber spatula.
- Transfer the filling to the pie crust and refrigerate for about 4 hours (or overnight) before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 413Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g
Joanna
Soooooo good 😊
Gianna
This was simply incredible. We can't wait to have it again.
Janet Roy
The smoothest cheesecake that I have ever tried!