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    Home » Dessert Recipes

    No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust

    Published: Jul 30, 2014 · Modified: Feb 5, 2022 by Kim Beaulieu · This post may contain affiliate links

    4.6K shares
    • 89
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust is a perfectly easy layered dessert recipe. It's quick, easy and utterly delicious!

    No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust served on a cake stand

    The base is made from animal crackers, then there is a layer of cherry cheesecake, followed by a layer of pistachio cheesecake.

    I could not decide what kind of cheesecake to make for this event. Then my Pink Lemonade Cheesecakes were featured on Buzzfeed.

    After I finished jumping up and down, and screaming I started to scroll through all the other cheesecakes that were featured in the post.

    I happened upon a Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake from Best Friends for Frosting and knew it would be my jump off point for my recipe.

    Cherries and pistachios are my two favourite things, and I pair them often.

    Somehow I've never combined them in a cheesecake which is shameful considering how often I make cheesecake. So, I've fixed that little oversight.

    For this recipe, I used fresh cherries in the cherry layer. I popped them in the food processor and pulsed until they were tiny itty bitty pieces.

    Then I used real pistachios for the pistachio layer. Those were ground up in the food processor as well.

    If you don't want to have itty bitty pieces of either you could substitute cherry juice for the cherry layer, and pistachio jello pudding for the pistachio layer. Both would work perfectly.

    Give this no bake cheesecake a try today!
    No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust on a cake stand

    More No Bake Dessert Recipes:

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    No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust sliced and placed on plate with cake stand in background

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    No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust on counter
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust

    This No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust is a perfectly easy layered dessert recipe. It's quick, easy and utterly delicious!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Keyword no bake cheesecake, no bake cherry pistachio cheesecake
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Cooling Time 4 hours
    Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
    Servings 12
    Calories 634kcal

    Equipment

    • Food Processor
    • Springform Pan
    • Glass Mixing Bowl
    • Stand Mixer

    Ingredients

    For the Base:

    • 4 cups animal crackers crushed
    • ¼ cup butter melted

    For the Cherry Cheesecake Portion:

    • 1 package gelatin
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 cup fresh cherries pitted and chopped

    For the Pistachio Cheesecake Portion:

    • 1 package gelatin
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 cup pistachios shelled
    • Green food colouring optional

    For the whipped cream topping:

    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon sugar optional
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    For the Base:

    • Add the animal crackers to a food processor, Pulse until they become fine crumbs.
    • Add the melted butter and pulse again until combined.
    • Pour and press into a 8 inch spring-form pan.

    For the Cherry Cheesecake Portion:

    • In a small bowl combine the gelatin and ¼ cup sugar. Pour the boiling water over top and stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool before adding to the cream cheese mix.
    • In a stand mixer combine the cream cheese and ¼ cup sugar. Whisk until fluffy.
    • Add the pitted cherries to the food processor and pulse until the cherries become fine pieces. Add this mixture to the cheesecake mixture, mix until combined.
    • Add the cooled gelatin to cheesecake mixture, whisk on high until it thickens.
    • Pour this mixture over top of the crumb layer. Pop in the fridge and allow to set up for at least 2 hours, up to 4 hours.

    For the Pistachio Cheesecake Portion:

    • In a small bowl combine the gelatin and ¼ cup sugar. Pour the boiling water over top and stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool before adding to the cream cheese mix.
    • In a stand mixer combine the cream cheese and ¼ cup sugar. Whisk until fluffy.
    • In a food processor pulse the pistachios until they become paste-like. Transfer that to the cheesecake mixture and whisk on medium speed until combined.
    • Add the cooled gelatin to cheesecake mixture, whisk on high until it thickens.
    • Add the food colouring if desired. Mix well.
    • Pour this mixture over top of the cherry layer. Pop in the fridge and allow to set up for at least 2 hours, up to 4 hours.

    For the whipped cream topping:

    • In a stand mixer combine the heavy cream and sugar, whisk on low initially then gradually increase to high speed until the mixture is fluffy. Spread over top of the cheesecake. If you like you can top with fresh cherries and crushed pistachios.
    • Serve with a big old cherry and pistachio loving smile!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 491mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 1475IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 2mg

    No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust on counter

    Thanks for visiting today!

    Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. Not only can find more no bake recipes but also tons of dessert recipes.

    After that, please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes as well as fun DIY projects.

    Lastly, be sure to follow me on Instagram. It’s actually a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.

    Toodles! xx

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      August 02, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      Isn't that such a pretty cheesecake. I love pistachios in desserts, I am in for an extra big piece!!!

      Reply
    2. Stacy

      August 03, 2014 at 12:15 pm

      This is one of the prettiest cheesecakes I've ever seen, Kim. I love the pastel pink and green together! I'm so jealous of your beautiful cherries on top as well.

      Reply
    3. Terra

      August 03, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      Oh so beautiful! Love that you made two different layers, combined together must taste fabulous. Gorgeous, Hugs, Terra

      Reply
    4. Bam's Kitchen

      August 04, 2014 at 6:43 am

      Kim, Your cheese cake is over the top! Double layered, no bake. Loving it and so pretty I just had to pin it. Have a super week. Take Care, BAM

      Reply
    5. Karyn - Pint Sized Baker

      August 04, 2014 at 10:54 pm

      Oh my! This sounds like a great combo and it looks great too! Great job!

      Reply
    6. Carol at Wild Goose Tea

      August 05, 2014 at 11:41 am

      I am a self confessed cheesecake NUT. I love the crust. That is sooooooooooo cute. I am of a vintage that animal crackers were truly a treat. Beautiful presentation----truly representative of National Cheesecake Day. However in my world everyday is National Cheesecake Day!

      Reply
    7. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie

      August 05, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      This is the prettiest cheesecake I've ever seen! Sounds delicious too.

      Reply
    8. Holly Waterfall

      August 06, 2014 at 9:22 am

      Oh my goodness this is so gorgeous and absolutely creative! Love it!! PINNED!

      Reply
    9. Joyce laferrera

      August 09, 2014 at 3:10 pm

      Looks delicious.

      Reply
    10. suzanne Perazzini

      August 11, 2014 at 6:48 am

      That is the prettiest cheesecake I have ever seen. And you sure are taking lovely photos these days.

      Reply
    11. Terri/LoveandConfections

      August 13, 2014 at 12:11 am

      Love the colors of this cheesecake. It is so fun and playful, and of course has your beloved pistachios!

      Reply
    12. Barbara @ Barbara Bakes

      August 13, 2014 at 7:12 am

      This cheesecake is so creative and fun. Love the contrasting colors.

      Reply
    13. Shawn @ I Wash You Dry

      August 19, 2014 at 8:39 pm

      Wow, that is one gorgeous cheesecake!! Love it!

      Reply
    14. Vamika

      January 18, 2022 at 3:16 am

      5 stars
      This Cherry and Pistachio No Bake Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust seems and amazing one . Will love to try this one super excited !!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        January 19, 2022 at 7:14 pm

        Hope you love it!

        Reply
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