Easy No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Cups: The Ultimate Summer Dessert
These Easy Berry Cheesecake Cups are undeniably the best no-bake dessert! They feature a wonderfully easy and lusciously creamy cheesecake filling, perfectly layered with a vibrant mix of fresh berries and fluffy homemade whipped cream. These delightful parfaits are not only incredibly delicious but also ideal for making ahead, making them the perfect stress-free sweet treat for all your summer parties and Fourth of July celebrations!

If you’re a fan of the smooth, rich taste of no-bake cheesecake or adore the beautiful layers of any parfait dessert, then these Easy No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Cups are specifically designed for you! The creamy cheesecake filling comes together with minimal effort, yet its delectable flavor perfectly complements the sweetness and slight tartness of fresh berries, all crowned with a cloud of homemade whipped cream. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that’s hard to resist.
This dessert truly shines in the warmer months, making it an absolute must-have for summer gatherings, barbecues, and especially for patriotic celebrations like the Fourth of July. Its vibrant red, white, and blue layers (when using strawberries and blueberries) make it visually stunning and a festive addition to any holiday table. If you’re searching for other fantastic desserts to complete your Fourth of July menu or any summer spread, consider these delightful Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies, the refreshing Lemon Blueberry Poke Cake, or the irresistibly gooey S’mores Ice Box Cake.
Why These No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Cups are a Must-Try
These individual berry cheesecake cups offer a multitude of reasons to become your new favorite dessert. From their effortless preparation to their undeniable deliciousness, they tick all the boxes for a perfect treat.
- Unbelievably Delicious No-Bake Cheesecake Filling: Our signature no-bake cheesecake filling is the star of this dessert. It’s incredibly creamy, perfectly sweet, and features that essential tangy note from the cream cheese, which beautifully balances the richness. When paired with the natural sweetness and slight tartness of fresh berries, it creates one of the most harmonious and satisfying flavor combinations imaginable. You’ll be amazed at how such a simple filling can taste so luxurious.
- Ultimate Make-Ahead Convenience: One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can assemble these delightful dessert cups hours, or even a day, before your event. This means less stress and more time to enjoy your guests when it’s party time. Simply pull them out of the fridge when you’re ready to serve for an instant, impressive dessert.
- Perfect Individual Portions for Parties: Say goodbye to the hassle of slicing and serving a large cake or pie. Individual desserts like these cheesecake cups are a game-changer for entertaining. Each guest can easily grab their own perfectly portioned treat, eliminating mess and making serving a breeze. They’re ideal for buffets, potlucks, and backyard barbecues, offering a chic and hygienic presentation.
- Effortlessly Customizable: While the classic berry combination is a winner, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily switch up the fruits to match your preferences or the season, making it a dessert that never gets old.
- Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: With their appealing layers, vibrant colors, and universally loved flavors of cheesecake and berries, these cups are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, from kids to adults. They strike the perfect balance between sophisticated and approachable.
Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Berry Cheesecake Cups
You’ll be delighted to know that this recipe calls for just a handful of staple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your kitchen. Quality ingredients make all the difference in a simple recipe like this, so choose them wisely!
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This is crucial for creating light and airy homemade whipped cream. Ensure it’s very cold for the best results when whipping to stiff peaks.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar dissolves easily, ensuring a smooth and lump-free whipped cream and cheesecake filling.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic note to both the whipped cream and the cheesecake.
- Cream Cheese: Opt for full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature. This is key for a truly creamy, smooth, and delicious cheesecake filling without any lumps.
- Fresh Blueberries: These provide a burst of sweet-tart flavor and a beautiful deep blue color to the layers.
- Fresh Strawberries: Chopped strawberries add a lovely texture, vibrant red hue, and juicy sweetness. Their slight tartness contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling.
- Clear Plastic Cups (9 oz): While not an ingredient, these are essential for showcasing the beautiful layers of your parfaits. The 9 oz size is perfect for a generous individual serving.
- Extra Whipped Cream for Topping: Whether you whip a little extra homemade cream or use a store-bought option, a final dollop elevates the presentation and adds another layer of indulgence.
- Fresh Mint Leaves (Optional): A small sprig of mint adds a touch of freshness and a professional-looking garnish.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Easy No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Cups
Creating these delightful cheesecake cups is surprisingly simple. Follow these straightforward steps for a dessert that looks and tastes impressive:
- WHIP THE CREAM: In the clean, chilled bowl of your stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine the very cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip, or it may turn grainy. Set this perfectly whipped cream aside.
- PREPARE THE CREAM CHEESE: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it is completely smooth and free of any lumps. This is crucial for a silky cheesecake texture.
- GENTLY COMBINE: Now, carefully add the previously whipped cream into the beaten cream cheese mixture. Using a spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese until just combined. The key here is to be gentle to maintain the airiness and fluffy texture of the whipped cream. Avoid over-mixing.
- ASSEMBLE THE CUPS:
- First, spoon a small, even layer of chopped strawberries into the bottom of each clear plastic cup.
- Next, top the strawberries with a dollop of the creamy cheesecake filling, spreading it gently to cover the berries.
- Follow the cheesecake layer with a sprinkle of fresh blueberries.
- Repeat this layering process one more time to create distinct and appealing layers.
- Finally, garnish each cup generously with an extra swirl of whipped cream and a fresh mint sprig if desired, for that professional finishing touch.
Refrigerate the assembled cups for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow them to chill and set properly.
Pro Tips for Perfect Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
While this recipe is incredibly easy, a few simple tips can elevate your no-bake berry cheesecake cups from great to absolutely extraordinary:
- Gentle Mixing is Key: When combining the cream cheese and whipped cream, remember to fold, not beat. Over-mixing will deflate the whipped cream, causing your cheesecake filling to lose its light, fluffy texture and become dense. Use a spatula and fold gently until just incorporated.
- Chill for Optimal Texture: Although these are “no-bake,” a good chill time is essential. Refrigerating the assembled cups for at least 30-60 minutes allows the cheesecake filling to set properly, resulting in a firmer, more stable, and refreshing dessert. For make-ahead, a longer chill is even better.
- Don’t Skimp on Quality Ingredients: Since there are so few ingredients, the quality truly shines through. Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture and richest flavor, and always choose ripe, fresh berries for the best taste.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is thoroughly softened to room temperature before beating. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy filling, no matter how much you beat it.
- Cold Whipping Cream: Conversely, your heavy whipping cream should be very cold. This helps it whip up faster and hold its stiff peaks more effectively.
- Creative Garnishing Ideas: Beyond extra whipped cream and mint, consider a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs, a drizzle of berry sauce, or a few white chocolate shavings to make your cups extra festive and appealing.
- Proper Storage for Freshness: If you’re not serving these delightful treats immediately, make sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. This keeps the berries fresh and prevents the cheesecake from absorbing any fridge odors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you absolutely can! If you’re looking to save a little time or prefer the convenience, you can replace the homemade whipped cream with approximately 2 cups of store-bought whipped topping (like Cool Whip) for the cheesecake filling, plus extra for garnishing. Simply mix the 2 cups directly into the beaten cream cheese. However, do be aware that using whipped topping will alter the flavor slightly, as it tends to be sweeter and has a different texture than fresh homemade whipped cream. I personally find that homemade whipped cream offers the best, most natural flavor and a superior light texture, truly elevating the dessert.
Definitely! This recipe is incredibly versatile and easily adjustable to match your favorite holiday themes, seasonal fruits, or personal flavor preferences. While berries are a classic, feel free to experiment. Raspberries, blackberries, or chopped kiwis would all be excellent choices for these dessert cups, adding their unique colors and flavors. You could also try chopped mango, peaches, or even a mix of tropical fruits for a different twist. Just make sure the fruit isn’t too watery or it could make the layers soggy.
Yes, this is an excellent make-ahead dessert, which is one of its best features! You can assemble the cups up to 2 days in advance. For best results when making ahead, assemble all the layers but hold off on adding the extra whipped cream swirl and mint garnish on top. Cover each cup tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply remove the plastic wrap, add your fresh whipped cream topping, and garnish as desired. This ensures the whipped cream remains fresh and fluffy for serving.
Absolutely! This recipe adapts beautifully into a stunning trifle. Simply layer all the ingredients in the same order – fruit, cheesecake filling, fruit, cheesecake filling – but instead of individual cups, use a large, clear glass trifle bowl. Using a clear bowl is highly recommended so your guests can admire the beautiful, vibrant layers. A trifle is a fantastic option for a larger gathering and makes for an impressive centerpiece!
Yes, you certainly can! While the original recipe focuses on the creamy filling and fresh fruit, adding a crust layer can provide a wonderful textural contrast. You can make a simple graham cracker crust by crushing graham crackers and mixing them with a little melted butter and a touch of sugar. Press about a tablespoon of this mixture into the bottom of each cup before adding your first layer of strawberries. Alternatively, use crushed shortbread cookies or vanilla wafers for a different flavor profile. The crunch of the crust adds another delightful dimension to these no-bake treats.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Try
If you loved these Easy No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Cups, you might enjoy exploring some of our other delightful dessert recipes perfect for any occasion:
- Homemade Banana Pudding Cups
- Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Cups
- Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream
- Fudge Banana Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
- Easy Classic Carrot Cake
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Easy Berry Cheesecake Cups

Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz package) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
Fruit
- 3 cups fresh blueberries
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
Other
- 6 (9 oz) clear plastic cups
- Extra whipped cream for topping (homemade or store-bought), if desired
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish if desired
Instructions
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In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the very cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
-
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until completely smooth and lump-free. Gently fold in the whipped cream until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will deflate the whipped cream.
ASSEMBLY:
-
Spoon a small amount of chopped strawberries into the bottom of each cup. Top with a layer of cheesecake filling, followed by some blueberries. Repeat this process once more to create beautiful layers. Garnish with extra whipped cream and fresh mint leaves if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers, covered, for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Mixing tip: When making the cheesecake filling, be careful to mix the cream cheese and whipped cream together gently. If mixed harshly or over-mixed, all the air will be beat out of the cream. Then you won’t have that fluffy, light texture that makes this dessert so delightful.
- Decorating: You can decorate these with a beautiful swirl of fresh whipped cream, a generous sprinkle of extra berries, a few chocolate shavings, or a vibrant sprig of mint. A little decoration makes them extra festive and visually appealing!
- Storing: If not eating right away, make sure to store these covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator until ready to serve. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days.
- Make ahead: If you are preparing these in advance, assemble all the layers but intentionally leave off the final extra whipped cream and mint garnish. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Then, just before serving, remove the plastic and add your desired garnishes for peak freshness and presentation.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 31g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 15g |
Saturated Fat: 9g |
Cholesterol: 55mg |
Sodium: 17mg |
Potassium: 197mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 24g |
Vitamin A: 632IU |
Vitamin C: 50mg |
Calcium: 42mg |
Iron: 1mg