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!
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!
More No Bake Dessert Recipes:
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- No Bake Tiny Turtle Cheesecakes
- White Chocolate Coconut Crean Pie Parfaits
- No Bake Cake in Jars
- Smoothie Cheesecake Bars
- Last Minute OMG We Have Visitors Banana Cream Pie Parfaits
- No Bake Dessert Round Up
- Raspberry Fool
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No Bake Cherry and Pistachio Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 4 cups animal crackers crushed
- ¼ cup butter melted
For the Cherry Cheesecake Portion:
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
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
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Toodles! xx
Tara
Isn't that such a pretty cheesecake. I love pistachios in desserts, I am in for an extra big piece!!!
Stacy
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.
Terra
Oh so beautiful! Love that you made two different layers, combined together must taste fabulous. Gorgeous, Hugs, Terra
Bam's Kitchen
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
Karyn - Pint Sized Baker
Oh my! This sounds like a great combo and it looks great too! Great job!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
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!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
This is the prettiest cheesecake I've ever seen! Sounds delicious too.
Holly Waterfall
Oh my goodness this is so gorgeous and absolutely creative! Love it!! PINNED!
Joyce laferrera
Looks delicious.
suzanne Perazzini
That is the prettiest cheesecake I have ever seen. And you sure are taking lovely photos these days.
Terri/LoveandConfections
Love the colors of this cheesecake. It is so fun and playful, and of course has your beloved pistachios!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
This cheesecake is so creative and fun. Love the contrasting colors.
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry
Wow, that is one gorgeous cheesecake!! Love it!
Vamika
This Cherry and Pistachio No Bake Cheesecake with Animal Cracker Crust seems and amazing one . Will love to try this one super excited !!
Kim Beaulieu
Hope you love it!