Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake with Cool Whip

May 4, 2023 by Chenée Lewis

If you want the BEST no bake cheesecake, Philadelphia no bake cheesecake with cool whip recipe is it! It's made with a 5 ingredient easy no bake cheesecake filling! It's a quick cheesecake with cool whip that is sure to be your new favorite! If you've got 5 minutes, you can make this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake filling recipe! No need for cheesecake pans - a store-bought crust is all you need for this cool whip and cream cheese cheesecake!

a slice of philadelphia no bake cheesecake with cool whip

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If you like this cool whip and cream cheese cheesecake, you'll love my Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake, my No Bake Oreo Cheesecake, and my Sweet Cream Cold Foam Recipe!

Kraft No Bake Cheesecake with Cool Whip

This Philadelphia cheesecake recipe is a go-to recipe in our house! It's always a great idea -- with a 5 ingredient no bake cheesecake filling, store-bought Keebler pie crust, and whatever toppings you like!

Because sometimes you just want cheesecake, but you don't want to spend so much time, or deal with a springform pan or water bath. No bake desserts like this recipe are the easiest way to feed that craving, without all the work of a traditional cheesecake!

I like to keep this handful of ingredients on hand for whenever we want a quick dessert! This easy cheesecake recipe is the perfect dessert for last minute guests or family gatherings!

Is cheesecake better baked or not baked?

No-bake cheesecake filling can be so easy, and the light and fluffy texture is so amazing! So it's really up to you -- if you prefer an easy recipe with a lighter consistency, then a no bake cheesecake might be your favorite!

How do you keep a no bake cheesecake firm?

Some recipes may firm up their no bake cheesecake with gelatin, but this easy no bake cheesecake with cool whip uses a combination of lemon juice and cream cheese to achieve a firm yet fluffy texture! The key is to the best no bake cheesecake is to let your cheesecake chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but even better if it's in there overnight!

slice of pie with 5 ingredient no bake cheesecake filling

No Bake Cheesecake Ingredients

Because it's only a 5 ingredient no bake cheesecake filling, this cool whip and cream cheese cheesecake pie only calls for a handful of simple ingredients! Here's what you'll need:

whipped cream cheese - instead of softened cream cheese we're using chilled whipped cream cheese! I like using Philadelphia cream cheese for this recipe. Using whipped cream cheese provides a light and fluffy texture, and you don't have to wait for the cream cheese to soften to room temperature!
whipped topping - I like to use Extra Creamy Cool Whip! Make sure it's thawed, but still cold. If you prefer, see below for instructions on how to make this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake recipe without Cool Whip!
powdered sugar - using powdered sugar helps give this kraft no bake cheesecake recipe a little more structure. And you can adjust the amount to your preference!
fresh lemon juice - this is the secret for this quick cheesecake with cool whip! It provides tart lemon flavor and helps to set the cheesecake texture. If you can't find any crystallized lemon powder, you can just use fresh lemon juice.
pure vanilla extract - it should be the good stuff -- pure vanill a extract. I like to make my own!
classic graham cracker crust - the best part of any decadent cheesecake is the buttery graham cracker crust! You can use food processor to make a homemade graham cracker crust out of crushed graham crackers and melted butter like the one from my Lemon Icebox Pie recipe, or do it the easy way and use a store-bought graham cracker crust!
your favorite toppings - I like to add cherry pie filling and whipped cream to this delicious dessert, but any topping would be great on this Kraft no bake cheesecake! You could also try my Amarena Cherry Chocolate Sauce!

See recipe card for quantities.

overhead shot of no bake cheesecake recipe with 8 oz cream cheese and cool whip

Equipment

If you're making a homemade pie crust, you'll need a pie pan or pie plate. Otherwise, you can just use a mixing spoon and mixing bowl to whip up this Philadelphia cheesecake recipe!

How to Make Quick Cheesecake with Cool Whip

This Cool Whip cheesecake is such an easy recipe, giving you classic cheesecake flavor without the effort! You can check out the recipe card below for detailed instructions, but here are the basic steps for this delicious recipe:

no bake cheesecake with cool whip step 1

Mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, whipped topping, and vanilla in a large bowl.

no bake cheesecake recipe with 8 oz cream cheese and cool whip step 2

Add lemon juice and stir until smooth.

Press cream cheese mixture into prepared graham cracker crust and smooth the top.

Cover and let chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight, then serve and enjoy!

Hint: Don't overmix the cheesecake filling -- you want to mix it just until combined so that it stays fluffy. I like to use a fork, rubber spatula, or whisk instead of an electric mixer to avoid deflating the mixture.

Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake Recipe Without Cool Whip

If you'd rather make this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake recipe without Cool Whip, it's easy! Just add 1 ½ cups very cold heavy whipping cream to a bowl and whip with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form -- you can also use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.

Add-Ons for No Bake Cream Cheese Cool Whip Pie

I love to top this 5 ingredient no bake cheesecake filling with cherry pie filling, but you have so many different options for whatever delicious toppings or mix-ins you like!

Your Favorite Fruit Pie Filling - add a can of cherry pie filling, apple pie filling, blueberry pie filling, or peach pie filling to the top of this kraft no bake cheesecake!
Strawberry Crunch Topping - sprinkle my strawberry crunch topping to this cheesecake to add delicious flavor and complement the cheesecake's creamy texture, like I do with my Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes!
Lemon - add lemon curd to the top for a bright burst of citrus flavor.
Chocolate or Caramel - add caramel sauce or chocolate sauce to the top of your Cool whip and Cream cheese cheesecake!
Fresh Fruit - fresh berries, bananas, kiwi -- anything you like to make this the perfect summer dessert!
Chocolate Chips - fold them in right before you spread the mixture into the pie crust!

Check out my Cannoli Pie for another delicious no bake recipe that's the perfect easy dessert for special occasions, and my Blueberry and Lemon Pound Cake or my Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust for another perfect spring or summer dessert!

Cool Whip and Cream Cheese Cheesecake Storage

Another reason I love to use a store-bought graham cracker pie crust for this Keebler no bake cheesecake is that they usually come with an easy storage option! You can just flip over the plastic top that comes with the packaging and secure it to the finished pie with the edges of the foil pan!

Once the pie has set, it can be stored this way in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Top Tip

For best results and to make sure your no bake cream cheese cool whip pie is light and fluffy, be sure to use whipped cream cheese and don't leave out the lemon!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep a no-bake cheesecake from being runny?

Make sure you use full-fat whipped cream cheese, and chill your cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least a few hours (or overnight) before serving. This will allow the creamy filling to set up properly.

Why is my no-bake cheesecake not firming up?

There are a few reasons your cheesecake could not be firming up -- you could have overmixed the cream cheese filling, or your ingredients could have been too warm before adding them. You may also have left out the lemon, or not given it enough time to chill before digging in.

So how do you keep a no bake cheesecake firm? Make sure you let it chill for the full 6 hours, or even better -- overnight! Also, don't omit the lemon, and don't substitute the ingredients listed. All of this can affect the consistency of your no bake cheesecake!

Is no-bake cheesecake as good as baked cheesecake?

It depends on your personal taste preferences and the occasion for which you are making the cheesecake. If you prefer a lighter, creamier dessert with less effort, no-bake cheesecake may be a great recipe for you. But if you are looking for a richer, more indulgent dessert, traditional cheesecakes like my Biscoff Cheesecake may be the better choice.

Does no bake cheesecake need to be refrigerated?

Yes it does! It should be returned to the fridge just after serving to keep it fresh.

How long does Philadelphia no bake cheesecake last in the fridge?

A Philadelphia no-bake cheesecake can last in the fridge for up to 4 days, assuming it is stored properly. To store your cheesecake, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. This will help prevent it from drying out or absorbing any odors from the fridge.

What other easy recipes should I try?

For an easy side dish or lunch recipe, try my Shrimp Macaroni Salad or my Puff Pastry Pizza! I also love my Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake or my Rum Pound Cake with Brown Butter Glaze!

And if you like this recipe, check out my Cheesecake Mousse Cups -- perfect for serving guests!

Looking for other recipes like this Philadelphia cheesecake recipe? Try these:

If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!

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