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This Mini No-Bake Cheesecake is a rich and creamy single serving dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust and a smooth, velvety filling. It’s quick to make, requires no oven, and is perfect when you want a small, indulgent treat without leftovers.
Try more of our easy, single serve no-bake desserts: Chocolate Covered Oreos, Peanut Butter Bars, Two-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse, and Tiramisu. Each one is a simple, delicious treat perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No-Fuss Dessert: No oven needed—this recipe is quick, simple, and hassle-free.
- Perfectly Sweet: Easily adjust the sugar to suit your taste.
- Rich and Creamy: The smooth, velvety texture makes this small cheesecake irresistible.
- Single Serving: Designed just for one, it’s the perfect personal-sized dessert.
- Customizable: Top it with fresh fruit, caramel sauce, whipped cream, or your favorite toppings for a delicious twist.
This mini no-bake cheesecake is the ultimate single serving dessert. With a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy, velvety filling, it’s the perfect treat when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want an entire cheesecake sitting around. Made with simple ingredients and no oven required, it comes together quickly and chills to perfection in the fridge.
This no-bake cheesecake recipe is ideal for when you want a little indulgence without the fuss. It’s perfectly portioned for one and easily adaptable if you’re in the mood to switch up the flavors or crust. A delightful dessert for any occasion!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve cheesecake recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Graham Crackers: These sweet, whole wheat cookies form the crust. You can substitute with ginger snaps or vanilla wafers. In the UK, use digestive biscuits; in Australia, try Arnott’s Granita biscuits. Leftover graham crackers? Use them in recipes like Strawberry Icebox Cake, Lemon Meringue Pie, or S’mores Dip.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the crumbs to create a stable crust. Both salted and unsalted butter work well.
- Cream Cheese: Use room-temperature block cream cheese for the best texture—avoid whipped or spreadable cream cheese. Soften it by letting it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Leftover cream cheese is perfect for Cheesecake Bars, Carrot Cake Cupcakes, Mini Hummingbird Cake, or a Turkey Wrap.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the filling. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances the flavor of the cheesecake.
- Heavy Cream: Whip the cream into stiff peaks (2-3 minutes with an electric mixer) to create a thick, creamy filling. Also known as double cream, it can be used in recipes like Mini Pavlova, Vanilla Pudding, or Whipped Cream.
Recipe Variations
Add a creative twist to your mini no-bake cheesecake with these simple ideas:
- Add Some Citrus: Mix in lemon or lime zest and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh citrus juice for a bright, refreshing flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Top the cheesecake with a drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate before serving.
- Coconut Option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and sprinkle shredded coconut on top for a hint of tropical flavor.
- Cookie Crust: Swap the graham cracker crust for crushed Oreo cookies or shortbread for a fun alternative.
How To Make A No-Bake Cheesecake
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this mini no-bake cheesecake. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Make the Graham Cracker Crumbs: Place 2 graham cracker sheets in a zip-top bag, seal it, and crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or heavy can. Alternatively, pulse the crackers in a food processor until they’re finely crushed. You’ll need about 1/4 cup of crumbs.
- Combine the Crust: Pour the crumbs into a small bowl and stir in the melted butter until evenly combined.
- Press the Crust: Spoon the crumb mixture into a dessert dish and press it down firmly with the back of a spoon. Set aside.
- Mix the Filling: In a separate bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Whip the Cream: In another bowl, pour in the heavy cream and whisk until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. You can use an electric mixer or whisk by hand.
- Combine the Filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble and Chill: Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: For a firmer cheesecake filling, refrigerate for about 6 hours.
RELATED: The Best Cookie Recipes For One
Expert Tips
- Room-Temperature Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese for a smooth, lump-free filling. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
- Cold Heavy Cream: For perfect stiff peaks, make sure your heavy cream is well-chilled before whipping.
- Crust Options: Graham crackers are classic, but try ginger snaps or Biscoff cookies for a fun twist.
- Texture Tip: The cheesecake is delicious after 20 minutes of chilling, but letting it sit in the fridge for a few hours gives it a firmer, mousse-like texture.
- Crust-Free Option: Want to keep it simple or lower carb? Skip the crust and serve the creamy cheesecake filling in a dessert dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While graham crackers are classic, you can use crushed Oreos, ginger snaps, vanilla wafers, or even shortbread cookies for a fun twist.
The cheesecake needs at least 20 minutes to set in the refrigerator, but for a firmer texture, chill it for a few hours or overnight.
Yes! This recipe doubles easily if you want to make two individual cheesecakes.
Store any leftover cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this no-bake cheesecake for one or any other recipe from One Dish Kitchen, let me know how you liked it by leaving a rating and a comment below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Mini No Bake Cheesecake
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon salted butter -melted
- 2 ounces cream cheese -softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces heavy cream
Instructions
- Make the Graham Cracker Crumbs: Place 2 graham cracker sheets in a zip-top bag, seal it, and crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or heavy can. Alternatively, pulse the crackers in a food processor until they’re finely crushed. You’ll need about 1/4 cup of crumbs.
- Combine the Crust: Pour the crumbs into a small bowl and stir in the melted butter until evenly combined.
- Press the Crust: Spoon the crumb mixture into a dessert dish and press it down firmly with the back of a spoon. Set aside.
- Mix the Filling: In a separate bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Whip the Cream: In another bowl, pour in the heavy cream and whisk until stiff peaks form, about 1 to 2 minutes. You can use an electric mixer or whisk by hand.
- Combine the Filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble and Chill: Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving.Pro Tip: For a firmer cheesecake filling, refrigerate for about 6 hours.
Notes
- Room-Temperature Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese for a smooth, lump-free filling. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
- Cold Heavy Cream: For perfect stiff peaks, make sure your heavy cream is well-chilled before whipping.
- Crust Options: Graham crackers are classic, but try ginger snaps or Biscoff cookies for a fun twist.
- Texture Tip: The cheesecake is delicious after 20 minutes of chilling, but letting it sit in the fridge for a few hours gives it a firmer, mousse-like texture.
- Crust-Free Option: Want to keep it simple or lower carb? Skip the crust and serve the creamy cheesecake filling in a dessert dish.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Can I use already prepared whipped cream (from a can) in place of the Heavy Cream?
I’ve actually never tried making this cheesecake with prepared whipped cream. I think it would work. If you try it please let me know how it turns out for you.
Cold you use a no fat yogurt instead of cream?
Hi Sheila, I recommend using cream for best results.
I love this idea! What a wonderful way to pamper oneself and so easy to double to enjoy with a friend!
Thank you, Carol.
Love these one dish recipies and this is one of my favorites!
Thank you, Brenda.
This looks so tempting! I love cheesecake, but my family isn’t as enamored with it as I am, and the idea of making it for myself as a treat is very tempting!
Quick and easy! Loved it.
I love that this will help with portion control, and 5 ingredients? NO bake? Hello, perfect dessert.
Thanks so much, Christine.
Delicious and so easy too!
Having an easy no bake cheesecake treat for one sounds like the perfect way to enjoy a quiet moment!!! Love how easy this is!
OMG dessert will never be the same! This looks exactly like what I need!
Single serving desserts are the best. I can satisfy my sweet tooth and not keep going back for more.
I love how simple and easy this is to make.
It’s not easy to carve out time for ourselves, but so necessary. Thanks for reading, Nancy.