No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (2024)

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (1)

  • Categories:1970s, Vintage advertisem*nts, Vintage dessert recipes
  • By The Click Americana Team
  • Added or last updatedAugust 28, 2023

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No-bake cherry cheesecake is a dessert that knows how to steal the spotlight at any gathering. A yummy union of velvety cream cheese, buttery graham cracker crust, and a topping of luscious cherries, this delectable treat combines flavor, ease and elegance in every slice. And the best part? No oven is needed.

No-bake cheesecake is a dessert that’s been sweetening up kitchen counters across America for decades and continues to delight us with its simplicity and irresistible taste.

Let’s make some now with this vintage recipe (originally known as cheery cherry cheese pie — now that’s a mouthful!) developed by Borden and published as shown below back in 1978.

How to make this retro no-bake cherry cheesecake

Imagine the scene: soft cream cheese, a can of sweetened condensed milk, a hint of lemon juice and a dash of vanilla all waiting on your kitchen counter, ready to become the dreamy filling of a no-bake cherry cheesecake.

Cheesecake ingredients

Clockwise from upper left:sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, cherry pie filling, pre-made graham cracker pie crust, cream cheese, and lemon juice

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (2)

ALSO SEEHow to make a homemade graham cracker pie crust & other delicious crumb crusts like they did in the 50s, 60s & 70s

Step 1: Prepare the filling

The first step? Beat the cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy. The goal is to get it airy and smooth — think of a cloud, but edible and absolutely delicious.

Once you’ve achieved the right consistency with the cream cheese, it’s time to blend in the sweetened condensed milk.

Mix the two until they’re thoroughly combined, ensuring that every bite of your cheesecake has the sweet, tangy taste of cream cheese and the velvety sweet texture of condensed milk.

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (3)

Next up, add the lemon juice and vanilla to the mix. It might seem like a small step, but don’t underestimate it. These two ingredients add depth to your cheesecake, providing that tangy kick and a gentle hint of sweetness.

Then, the fun part: pour this luscious filling into the ready-made graham cracker crust. It’s so rewarding watching that creamy filling settle smoothly into the pie crust, like a soft blanket covering a bed.

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (4)

Step 2: The critical chilling out period

Now, patience is key. Chill the cheesecake for at least 3 hours, allowing it to set properly. The waiting might be tough, but trust us — it’ll be worth it.

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (5)

Step 3: Add the cherry pie filling & serve!

Once your cheesecake is well set, top it off with a generous amount of chilled cherry pie filling. The cherries not only add a burst of color, but their sweet-tart flavor perfectly complements the creamy cheesecake. (Not a big cherry fan? We can’t think of another fruit pie filling that wouldn’t work! Raspberry filling would be a great one to try.)

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (6)

And that’s it! Your no-bake cherry cheesecake is ready to delight everyone at your table. Remember, any leftovers (though we doubt there will be) should be refrigerated to maintain that perfect cheesecake texture.

Happy no-baking! If you make the pie, let us know in the comments section below how it went — and any changes or improvements you came up with.

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (7)

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (8)

ALSO SEEThis Jello pudding no-bake lemon cheesecake recipe only has 4 ingredients & 2 easy steps
Cheery, cherry and easy as pie

Because you don’t have to bake it to make it. Company coming, so of course, dessert just has to be homemade cherry cheesecake pie. So elegant… and so delicious.

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (9)

Here’s the classic cheery cherry cheese pie recipe

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (10)

No-bake cherry cheesecake

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 can (14 oz) Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/3 cup ReaLemon lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 Johnston's graham cracker Ready-Crust pie crust
  • 1 16-ounce can cherry pie filling, chilled

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, beat cheese until light and fluffy.
  2. Add sweetened condensed milk; blend thoroughly.
  3. Stir in ReaLemon and vanilla.
  4. Pour into pie crust. Chill at least 3 hours or until well set.
  5. Top with the desired amount of pie filling before serving.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 204Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 140mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g

Click Americana offers approximate nutrition information as a general reference only, and we make no warranties regarding its accuracy. Please make any necessary calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe, and consult with a qualified healthcare professional if you have dietary concerns.

Cheery cherry cheese pie recipe card

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (14)

Cherry Breeze cheesecake pie recipe (1974)

Here’s a similar recipe from 1974, made instead with a cornflake crust.

No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (15)

ALSO TRY THIS: Blueberry cheesecake pie (1991)

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  • Categories: 1970s, Vintage advertisem*nts, Vintage dessert recipes
  • Tags: 1970s, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, cheese, cheesecake, cherries, desserts, fruit, graham crackers, no-bake, raspberries, recipes, vintage dessert recipes, Vintage pie recipes
  • Added or last updatedAugust 28, 2023
  • Comments: 3 Comments

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Comments on this story

3 Responses

  1. I want the Cherry Cheesecake Pie Recipe. I’m looking the Cherry Cheesecake Pie Recipe for years ago and I can’t find the Cherry Cheesecake Pie Recipe for years ago.

    Reply

    1. try pinterest

      Reply

  2. Can you freeze these

    Reply

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No-bake cherry cheesecake recipe step-by-step: A pretty & easy homemade cream cheese pie from the 1970s - Click Americana (2024)

FAQs

What is no bake cheesecake filling made of? ›

Cheesecake is one of my all time favorite summer desserts and it's even incredible when merged with a cake! This 15-minute, no-fuss No Bake Cheesecake Filling for a Cake only has 4 ingredients and is easy to make using cream cheese, confectioners sugar, heavy cream and vanilla.

Why is my no bake cheesecake not hardening? ›

The first is that your ingredients are not cold enough. When a no-bake cheesecake recipe calls for heavy cream, it's relying on you being able whip up the cream. This will make the cheesecake firm in texture. However, heavy cream won't whip up well unless it's cold.

Why is my no bake cheesecake so runny? ›

The primary reason a no-bake cheesecake is too runny or doesn't set up properly is generally the temperature of the ingredients. If your cream cheese is too warm, the mixture will be too soft and will never set up properly.

What is the difference between cream pie and cheesecake? ›

Cream cheese pie does not contain eggs, which means it does not need to be baked. Cheesecake, on the other hand, includes eggs and must be baked, which makes it a bit more complex in flavor and preparation.

Can you eat Philadelphia no bake cheesecake filling? ›

Yes, Philadelphia makes a 24-ounce tub of pre-made cheesecake filling that you can use directly from the fridge—no baking necessary. The tub has everything you want from the sugary, sweet, cream cheese filling of a cheesecake, and it's ready to serve as-is.

How do you keep a no-bake cheesecake firm? ›

The air creates a delicious mousse-like consistency and solidifies the filling in the refrigerator. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6-8 hours, but overnight is better. For a sturdy no-bake cheesecake with beautifully neat slices, refrigerate for at least 12 hours. This makes for a great make-ahead dessert!

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

Don't Overbake

An overbaked cheesecake will cause unattractive cracks and a dry, crumbly texture. Because cheesecake is a custard, it won't be completely firm when done. The easiest way to make sure you don't overbake it is to give it a little jiggle. Take a wooden spoon and give the cake pan a gentle tap on the side.

How to tell if no-bake cheesecake is set? ›

Try this: The cheesecake should be shiny and firm to the touch when set. You can move the cheesecake to the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing, but freezing any longer will make for a frozen cheesecake without the same delightfully creamy texture as the just-refrigerated version.

How to make cheesecake filling thicker? ›

You can mix a tablespoon or two of cornstarch into your cheesecake filling mixture before baking. Another option is to use a little bit of flour or arrowroot powder. These ingredients will also help to thicken your filling and give it a more consistent texture.

How to make a no bake cheesecake set faster? ›

Yes, you can freeze a no bake cheesecake to help it set. It's better to use the refrigerator and let it set slowly but in a pinch you can help it along by putting it in the freezer for approx. 1 hour. Then let it finish setting in the refrigerator.

How do you keep the bottom of a cheesecake from getting soggy? ›

Skip the Water Bath

The answer is quite simple: Cook the cheesecake at a low temperature and eliminate the bath altogether. Baking at 250ºF simulates the gentle heat of the bath, without the anxiety-inducing suspense of the crust reveal.

Is heavy cream or sour cream better for cheesecake? ›

The addition of cream gives a velvety, smooth texture, but too much of it and you begin to mask the cream cheese flavor. Sour cream supports the underlying tang of the cream cheese, but, if overdone, it takes over as the dominant flavor. You need a little of each -- cream for texture and sour cream for flavor.

Is cheese pie the same as cheesecake? ›

What Is the Difference Between Cheesecake and Cheesecake Pie? Today's cheesecake pie is like a regular cheesecake, only (1) the filling layer isn't as thick and tall and (2) you bake it in a pie dish instead of a springform pan.

What is the difference between New York cheesecake and Philadelphia cheesecake? ›

New York is not the only place in America that puts its own spin on cheesecakes. In Chicago, sour cream is added to the recipe to keep it creamy. Meanwhile, Philadelphia cheesecake is known for being lighter and creamier than New York style cheesecake and it can be served with fruit or chocolate toppings.

What is the bottom of a cheesecake made of? ›

Cheesecake is a dessert made with a soft fresh cheese (typically cottage cheese, cream cheese, quark or ricotta), eggs, and sugar. It may have a crust or base made from crushed cookies (or digestive biscuits), graham crackers, pastry, or sometimes sponge cake.

Does no bake cheesecake contain gelatin? ›

Some no-bake cheesecakes are set with gelatine to give them a mousse-like texture.

Is Jell O No Bake cheesecake vegetarian? ›

This product has 6 ingredients that may not be vegetarian.

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