No Bake Cream Cheese Pie with Cool Whip

This No Bake Cream Cheese Pie with Cool Whip is so delicious and super easy to make! Made without condensed milk, this pie is light, fluffy, and beautiful to boot! It requires no baking and is perfect for a quick, easy dessert, and always crowd-pleasing at a potluck!

Easy, no-bake, or semi-homemade desserts are the name of the game around here at Get On My Plate! I am not a huge baker–I think mostly because of the “preciseness” that is involved. So I stick to simple, yet irresistible desserts like my Oreo Blondies, Easy Granny Cake, or my Air Fryer Biscuit Doughnuts (uses canned biscuit dough!).

And of course, this easy cream cheese pie does not disappoint! It’s truly the easiest way to enjoy the classic flavors of cheesecake — but is a lot lighter, fluffier, and sooooo much easier to make!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this No Bake Cream Cheese Pie with Cool Whip:

INGREDIENT NOTES

Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese to produce the best, creamy, silky texture. I love Philadelphia Cream Cheese, but your favorite brand will work just fine.

Whipped Topping: Cool Whip or another similar store brand is fine. If you’re adventurous, feel free to make your own whipped cream using heavy whipping cream.

Lemon Juice: This is optional but I just like the subtle tartness that a little bit of lemon juice brings. Fresh lemon juice works best.

Pre-made Graham Cracker Crust: Use your favorite store-bought crust or go all out and use homemade crust. Either will work but to keep things simple, I prefer a store-bought graham cracker crust that already comes in a pie pan.

HOW TO MAKE NO BAKE CREAM CHEESE PIE: STEP- BY-STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the printable recipe card below!

Step 1: Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Step 2: Gently fold in whipped topping and stir until combined.

Step 3: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into a pre-made crust. Chill pie for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Step 4: Before serving, top with cherry pie filling.

RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS

• Use softened cream cheese: Pull it out of the fridge and keep it at room temperature for a few hours to soften.
• Chill well: For best results, chill the pie in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Add pie filling last: Add it on top of the pie before serving to keep nice, clean layers.

Casey’s Top Tip: This cherry cream cheese pie is excellent for entertaining large crowds. Double or triple the recipe and whip up the cream cheese filling in a stand mixer to make it fuss-free. Top with cherry pie filling just before serving.

STORAGE

• Storage: Tightly cover any leftover pie (if you have any leftovers!) with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  
• Freezing: This pie is very freezer-friendly! I recommend not adding the pie filling to the top before freezing the pie. To freeze, wrap the pie tightly in both foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy again, thaw pie at room temperature for a few hours, top with pie filling, slice, and serve!

Easy Variations

ADDITIONS:

• Citrus: In addition to lemon juice, add some lemon zest to add some bright flavor.
• Toasted coconut: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of the pie for a tropical punch.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Plain: Don’t want the extra sugar from the pie filling? Just add a dollop of whipped cream on top to enjoy it plain.
• Chocolate or Caramel: Swap the pie filling with a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup.
• Fresh berries: Instead of the pie filling, use fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a delicious fresh fruit topping!
• Try other flavored pie filling: Apple or blueberry pie filling are both delish! This Caramel Apple Pie Filling is DIVINE!

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What’s the difference between cream cheese pie and cheesecake?

The biggest difference between cream cheese pie and cheesecake is that cream cheese pie requires no baking while traditional cheesecake typically includes eggs that requires it to be baked.

In addition, cream cheese pie can be made in a pie dish or any baking dish but cheesecake is typically molded into a round, spring-form pan. One thing they both have in common is that they are super delish!

Can I use a different type of pie crust?

Absolutely! While crunchy graham cracker crust is a classic choice, you can experiment with chocolate cookie crust, nut crusts, or even shortbread crust for a different flavor profile.

Why has my pie not thickened?

To thicken a no-bake cream cheese pie, it’s important that you refrigerate it for an extended period of time. Because it’s made with cream cheese, it will solidify and set when kept at cold temperatures. Make sure you chill the pie for at least an hour or two before adding the pie filling.

MORE CROWD-PLEASING PIE RECIPES…

Caramel Apple Pie with Crumb Topping

No Bake Double Layer Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Easy Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

No Bake Cream Cheese Pie with Cool Whip

This No Bake Cream Cheese Pie with Cool Whip is so delicious and super easy to make! Made without condensed milk, this pie is light, fluffy, and beautiful to boot! It requires no baking and is perfect for a quick, easy dessert, and always crowd-pleasing at a potluck!

4.66 from 32 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 360 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pre-baked graham cracker crust
• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese softened (See Note 1)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon juice optional
• 1 8 oz. tub whipped topping such as Cool Whip
• 1 20 oz. can cherry pie filling

Instructions

 

• Mix: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice (optional), and vanilla. With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes). You can also use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.
• Fold In: Gently fold in whipped topping and stir well until combined.
• Assemble and Chill: Spread the cream cheese pie filling evenly into prepared graham cracker pie crust. Chill 2-3 hours or overnight.
• Add Topping: Before serving, top the pie with cherry pie filling and serve immediately!

Notes

Note 1: Soften cream cheese by leaving it on the counter for an hour or so OR microwave in 15 second increments until softened. 

Nutrition information is only an estimate. Info is based on the Very Well Fit Nutrition Calculator.

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Nutrition

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 47.7gProtein: 3.7gFat: 17.5gSaturated Fat: 7.8gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 267mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

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