Description
A festive, no-bake cheesecake dessert featuring a star-shaped graham cracker crust and layers of creamy cheesecake with red, white, and blue berry swirls. Perfect for summer holidays with zero oven heat required.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200g) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 24 oz (680g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (150g) strawberry jam or preserves
- 1/2 cup (150g) blueberry jam or compote
- Fresh berries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl until it resembles wet sand.
- Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan. Chill in the fridge.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth (2-3 minutes).
- Add sifted confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract. Beat on low until combined, then medium-high for 2 minutes until fluffy.
- In a separate cold bowl, whip the heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula until no white streaks remain.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the chilled crust. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
- Place strawberry and blueberry jams in separate ziplock bags and snip off a tiny corner.
- Drizzle the jams in zig-zags or grids across the white cheesecake layer. Optionally swirl with a toothpick.
- Return to the fridge for at least 30 more minutes to set.
- Lift bars out using parchment overhang. Cut into squares with a warm, sharp knife. Garnish with fresh berries if desired.
Notes
Keep all ingredients and bowls cold to ensure the whipped cream holds its shape. Sift confectioners’ sugar to prevent lumps. Use thick jam to prevent bleeding into the cream cheese layer. For clean cuts, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe dry between cuts. These bars can be made up to 2 days in advance or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: no-bake cheesecake, labor day dessert, star spangled bars, summer dessert, red white and blue, graham cracker crust, berry swirl