No-Bake Cranberry Cheesecake
Description
A creamy, dreamy no-bake cheesecake with a coconut-butter crust and a festive cranberry layer. This dessert is light yet indulgent — perfect for the holidays or any celebration. The tart cranberries balance the rich cheesecake filling, while the coconut crust adds a delightful nutty crunch.
Ingredients
For the Coconut Crust
-
1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut
-
½ cup almond flour
-
¼ cup melted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
-
2 tbsp powdered sweetener (erythritol or regular sugar)
-
Pinch of salt
For the Cheesecake Filling
-
16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup heavy whipping cream
-
½ cup powdered sweetener
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Cranberry Layer
-
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
-
½ cup water
-
½ cup sweetener
-
1 tsp orange zest (optional)
For Decoration
-
Whipped cream or sugar-free whipped topping
-
Sugared cranberries and mint leaves
Instructions
1. Make the Crust
-
Combine shredded coconut, almond flour, melted butter, sweetener, and salt.
-
Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
-
Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes to set.
2. Prepare Cranberry Sauce
-
In a saucepan, combine cranberries, water, sweetener, and orange zest.
-
Simmer for 10–12 minutes until berries burst and mixture thickens.
-
Let it cool completely.
3. Make the Cheesecake Filling
-
Beat cream cheese until smooth.
-
Add sweetener, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
-
In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
-
Fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
4. Assemble
-
Spread half of the cheesecake filling over the chilled crust.
-
Spoon half of the cranberry sauce over the filling and gently swirl.
-
Add the remaining cheesecake mixture on top and smooth the surface.
-
Chill for at least 4–6 hours (overnight preferred).
5. Garnish
Top with whipped cream, sugared cranberries, and a few mint or holly leaves before serving.
Servings
-
Makes 10–12 slices
Nutritional Info (per slice, approx.)
-
Calories: 320
-
Fat: 29g
-
Carbs: 9g (net 6g if sugar-free)
-
Protein: 6g
Tips
-
Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture.
-
Chill thoroughly to help it set firmly.
-
To make it dairy-free, replace butter and cream cheese with coconut-based alternatives.
-
You can freeze slices for up to 2 months — thaw overnight in the fridge.
Benefits
-
No-bake: Easy and oven-free.
-
Low-carb / sugar-free option: Great for keto-friendly diets.
-
Festive and elegant: Perfect for holidays or special occasions.
-
Make-ahead: Saves time for event days.
Q & A
Q: Can I use graham crackers instead of coconut crust?
A: Yes! Substitute 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers with ¼ cup melted butter.
Q: How do I make it sugar-free?
A: Use erythritol, monk fruit, or allulose instead of sugar.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Definitely. It’s best made 1–2 days before serving and stored in the fridge.
Q: What’s the best topping besides cranberries?
A: Try raspberries, blueberries, or a sugar-free strawberry compote.