By Jayden M.
The classic holiday dessert is usually a pumpkin pie, or maybe even a pecan or apple pie. However, why not spice it up this year, and enjoy the sweet, rich, and delectable taste of a cheesecake? This no-bake, cherry cheesecake recipe is so simple and easy for anyone to make, especially if you’re in a rush. All you will need is powdered sugar, an eight ounce block of cream cheese, a six ounce graham cracker crust, and a can of cherry pie filling. I bought all of the ingredients at King Soopers for a grand total of $9.94; although, there were still extra ingredients leftover.
First, mix together in a bowl one block of cream cheese and about eight and a half cups of powdered sugar. Gradually add the powdered sugar into the cream cheese, and be sure to taste the mixture as you go. You can add more or less cups of powdered sugar, depending on your taste preference. If you'd like more of a rich and cheesy taste, add less powdered sugar, and if you’d like a sweeter taste, add more.
Be sure to mix until there are no clumps of sugar and it is a very pale yellow or white color. You can mix the ingredients together with a whisk, fork, or a hand mixer; however, using a hand mixer will give a fluffy and cloudy texture compared to a different utensil.
Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust (I used a store bought Keebler’s graham cracker crust) and let it chill in the fridge overnight, preferably, or for at least 2-3 hours. After it’s been chilled, pour enough of the cherry pie filling on top of the cheesecake to cover the top. Of course, you can add as many or as few cherries as you’d like. Now, the cheesecake is ready to be served and enjoyed.
After making this dessert, I asked a fellow Mountain Range High School student to try a slice and communicate his opinion of it. Freshman Javier Flores rated the cheesecake a 10/10, and said he would like to eat this dessert for any holiday. He states, “I like how the flavors compliment each other, and I like how creamy it is.”
This recipe has been a staple dessert for my family’s Thanksgiving celebration over the years due to its deliciousness and simplicity. I highly encourage you to give it a try, and maybe it will become your staple dessert as well!