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

How do you thicken a no-bake cheesecake? ›

Thickener. In a no-bake cheesecake, there are three typical ways that you create structure: folding in stiffly whipped heavy cream, folding in an alternative stabilizer like Cool Whip, or gelatin.

Why is my no-bake cheesecake not firm? ›

In some cases, your filling just needs more time to chill. No-bake cheesecakes generally need at least 4-6 hours in the refrigerator to set properly. If your filling is still runny after that time, try chilling it for another 2-4 hours.

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.

Should I cover no-bake cheesecake in the fridge? ›

Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 6–8 hours and up to 2 days. For best results, 12 hours is best. I chill mine overnight. The longer refrigerated, the nicer the no-bake cheesecake will set up.

How do you tell if a no bake cheesecake is set? ›

The filling needs proper chilling, a minimum of four hours but preferably overnight, to set into sliceable sections. Freezing the cheesecake results in a too-hard-to-enjoy crust and filling. Try this: The cheesecake should be shiny and firm to the touch when set.

How do you thicken cream cheese for cheesecake? ›

You can quickly and easily thicken cream cheese frosting with icing sugar, corn starch, or by lowering the temperature. If you don't mind the frosting getting sweeter, add 2 tablespoons of icing sugar to the frosting and mix it together until it reaches the consistency that you want.

How do you make cheesecake filling firmer? ›

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.

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 heavy cream better than whipping cream for cheesecake? ›

The only difference is the amount of fat they contain. Heavy cream contains about 36% fat, while whipping cream contains only about 30%. (That means that heavy cream actually produces better, thicker whipped cream!) Since this is going into a cheesecake, I think that this will be an acceptable substitution.

What is the old slang cheesecake? ›

It was used figuratively for "soft, effeminate" from 18c. The modern slang meaning dates from 1933; a "Time" magazine article from 1934 defined it as "leg-pictures of sporty females." In its early years this sense of the word often was associated with film star Marlene Dietrich.

What's better no bake cheesecake vs baked cheesecake? ›

They both are great in their own way. It all narrows down to your personal preferences. If you enjoy dense and velvety cake, a baked cheesecake is the one for you. Or if you crave some light and airy dessert post-dinner, go for the no-bake one.

Is it better to bake or not bake a cheesecake? ›

The differences in ingredients and preparation methods are what create the texture. Both may be smooth and creamy but not in the same way. A baked cheesecake usually has a silky consistency and firmer texture. A no-bake cheesecake will have a lighter, softer, almost fluffy texture, often more like a pudding or mousse.

How do you make a no bake cheesecake set faster? ›

After the chill time, if your cheesecake still isn't firm enough, you can freeze it to help it set up. Be careful not to freeze it too long unwrapped though; it can cause the texture to become gritty.

How do you thicken a runny cheesecake? ›

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.

What to do if cheesecake is too runny? ›

You can fix a runny cheesecake mixture the same as the others – with a setting agent – or freezing to make an ice cream mixture. Sometimes the cheesecake can be too thin if a chocolate has melted the mixture for example – and this is also solved this way.

What is the thickening agent in cheesecake? ›

Almost every cheesecake recipe calls either gelatin or beaten eggs, which are used as a setting or thickening agents. The cake will not set properly if there is no egg in the preparation, and you will just have a cream cheese pudding.

What to do if baked cheesecake is too runny? ›

It is best to bake it in the oven for 5 to 15 minutes more if the cheesecake is undercooked. Otherwise, you can put the cake in a water bath or let it sit in the fridge for some time to settle.

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