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This elegant no bake patriotic cheesecake parfait recipe is quick and easy to make; it features rich, luscious cheesecake mousse and two homemade berry sauces. It comes together in less than an hour and is a perfect fun, festive, and simple summertime dessert!

close up front view of cheesecake mousse berry parfaits with fresh strawberries

One of my favorite 4th of July holidays was when I was about 20. I went to a carnival with a group of girls and we packed a cooler with food and drinks to take with us to watch the fireworks at a local town park.

It seemed like the epitome of summer fun.

That is, until two of the girls just up and decided that they suddenly hated each other and couldn’t stand to be in each other’s company for even another minute.

Of course we all came in one car, so that was a bit of a problem. We ended up staying the night as planned, but I remember those two slinging a few sideways comments and idle threats at each other throughout the night.

It might sound like a spoiled evening, but it wasn’t. Eventually they started talking again and we all shared a few laughs. 

And I don’t remember what we packed for dinner that Independence Day, but I remember we had beautiful patriotic red, white, and blue cheesecake parfaits for dessert!

Why You’ll Want This Sweet Treat on Repeat All Summer

  • It’s easy, but elegant—and delicious! With minimal effort, you’ll have a dessert that’s pretty enough for entertaining.
  • Versatile. Maybe you meal prep desserts to keep portion-controlled treats on hand to satisfy your sweet tooth during the week. Or perhaps you want a fresh, light no-bake dessert for a barbecue, picnic, or summer party. No matter what the case, this one fits the bill!
  • Special diet friendly. As written, this dessert is naturally gluten free. It’s also easy to make into a low carb and/or high protein dessert (instructions are in the recipe card below).
partially eaten fresh berry no bake cheesecake parfait

Ingredients

Ingredients Explained

In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.

No Bake Cheesecake Ingredients

  • Heavy whipping cream – For this recipe, we’re essentially making a cheesecake mousse. We use heavy whipping cream to lighten up cream cheese.
  • Cream cheese – This is the base of our creamy cheesecake mixture. Make sure it’s at room temperature so there are no lumps when you beat it.
  • Powdered sugar – Powdered sugar is our sweetener; in addition to flavor, it also helps our no bake cheesecake set.
  • Pure vanilla extract – This adds flavor and aroma.

Berry Sauce Ingredients

  • Frozen blueberries and frozen strawberries – We use blueberries and strawberries because we’re making two different fruit sauces (both red and blue) to celebrate Independence Day. Instead of frozen berries, you can use fresh and add 2 tablespoons of water. Also, if you use fresh berries instead of frozen, note that the cooking time will likely be 1 to 2 minutes less.
  • Sugar – In these fruit sauces, sugar not only acts as a sweetener, but also helps the fruit gel or set into a thick sauce.
  • Salt – Salt is a natural flavor enhancer. Here it intensifies the flavor of the fruit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here are step-by-step instructions. To watch the recipe video, please see the recipe card below.

  1. Whip up the creamy cheesecake mixture. Beat the heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sweetener, and vanilla together until smooth. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Chill.
  2. Make the berry sauces. Cook down the frozen berries (each type of berry in its own pot) with sugar and a pinch of salt until they form sauces. Let the sauces cool.
  3. Layer the cheesecake and berry sauces together in individual glasses. And now you’re ready to enjoy!

Storage

Cover each parfait with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you make meal prep desserts, this one is a good option because it keeps well!

fresh strawberries in white basket

Variations

  • Go the chocolate route. Instead of fruit sauces, you can use chocolate sauce or hot fudge. Or alternate layers of hot fudge and caramel sauce (or homemade butterscotch sauce) and sprinkle a few chopped nuts on top!
  • Give it crust. Feel free to add a tablespoon or two of crumbled graham crackers in the bottom of each parfait if you want an easy “crust”. Or if you’re making these ahead of time, add a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers on top right before serving. That way it won’t get soggy!
  • Take it tropical. Use mango or pineapple fruit sauce (make it using the same method as the blueberry and strawberry sauces), and top it with shredded coconut.
  • Make it quick. If you don’t have time to make the fruit sauces from scratch, you can use any flavor of store-bought pie filling you like. Canned cherry pie filling is delicious here!
  • Get the goat. If you like the tang of goat cheese, it’s delicious in desserts. You can use 8 ounces of goat cheese instead of cream cheese in this recipe for cheesecake with a tangy twist.
  • Make it low carb and keto friendly! Use keto powdered sugar to make the cheesecake, and use keto granulated sugar to make the berry sauces.
top view of Independence Day cheesecake parfait dessert

Pro Tips For the Best No Bake Cheesecake Parfaits

  • These parfaits will stiffen more and set in the fridge as they chill.
  • You can make the berry sauces up to 10 days in advance. Store them in separate airtight glass containers in the fridge until you’re ready to make the parfaits.
  • If you make this dessert for a summer party, I recommend keeping it chilled as long as possible. I wouldn’t leave it out at room temperature for more than an hour before eating it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this a high protein dessert?

Yes! To do so, in the no-bake cheesecake mixture, omit the heavy whipping cream, reduce the cream cheese to 4 ounces, and add 2 cups of plain Greek yogurt.

Do I have to make berry sauce for this?

Nope! There are other options that also work well. You can use canned pie filling, or just layer the parfaits with fresh fruit. (Or take 15 minutes to whip up cherry topping sauce!)

More Red, White, and Blue Desserts to Try

front view of patriotic cheesecake parfaits with basket of fresh strawberries

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No Bake Cheesecake Parfait Recipe

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Other Time20 minutes
Yields: 6 servings
Rich, creamy no-bake cheesecake mousse and sweet strawberry and blueberry sauces layered together for a lovely red, white, and blue summer dessert. It's naturally gluten free, and there are low carb and high protein options as well!

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Ingredients
 

Blueberry Sauce:

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries (or fresh blueberries + 2 tablespoons water)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/16 teaspoon salt

Strawberry Sauce:

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries (or fresh strawberries + 2 tablespoons water)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/16 teaspoon salt

No Bake Cheesecake:

Optional Toppings:

  • 3/4 cup whipped cream for topping (optional)
  • 6 fresh strawberries each sliced into 3 slices, for topping (optional)
  • 6 sprigs fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

For the Blueberry Sauce:

  • Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cover the pan and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then carefully mash the blueberries with a potato masher until they form a chunky sauce. Continue cooking (uncovered) until the sauce is thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes more, stirring constantly.
  • Transfer the blueberry sauce to a bowl and cool to room temperature.

For the Strawberry Sauce:

  • Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cover the pan and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then carefully mash the strawberries with a potato masher until they form a chunky sauce. Continue cooking (uncovered) until the sauce is thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes more, stirring constantly.
  • Transfer the strawberry sauce to a bowl and cool to room temperature.

For the Cheesecake:

  • Add the heavy whipping cream to a large bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to beat until it forms stiff peaks.
  • To a separate large bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
  • Add 1/3 of the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixer, and beat it until well-combined. Use a rubber spatula to fold the remaining whipped cream in 1/3 at a time.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate 20 minutes.

To Assemble the Parfaits:

  • Get out 6 (5 to 6-ounce) juice glasses. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the strawberry sauce into the bottom of each. Top with a generous dollop of the cream cheese mixture. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the blueberry sauce on top. Top with another generous dollop of the cream cheese mixture. Divide the remaining berry sauces on top so the top of each parfait has a little color (there should be enough for each parfait to have about 1/2 tablespoon of berry sauce on top).
  • If desired, top each parfait with 2 tablespoons of whipped cream, 3 strawberry slices, and 1 mint sprig.
  • Serve, or cover each parfait with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Video

Notes

  • Nutritional Information: Information for this recipe was calculated without the optional whipped cream, fresh strawberry, and mint sprig toppings.
  • Goat Cheese Substitution: If you like the tang of goat cheese, you can use 8 ounces of goat cheese instead of cream cheese in this recipe.
  • Let it Chill to Set: This no bake cheesecake will stiffen more and set in the fridge as it chills.
  • Make Ahead: You can make the berry sauces up to 10 days in advance. Store them in separate airtight glass containers in the fridge until you’re ready to make the parfaits. Once the parfaits are assembled, cover each with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Don’t Leave it Out For Long: If you make this dessert for a summer party, I recommend keeping it chilled as long as possible. I wouldn’t leave it out at room temperature for more than an hour before eating it.
  • Low Carb and Keto Friendly Version: Use keto powdered sugar to make the cheesecake, and use keto granulated sugar to make the berry sauces.
  • High Protein Version: In the no-bake cheesecake mixture, omit the heavy whipping cream, reduce the cream cheese to 4 ounces, and add 2 cups of plain Greek yogurt.
  • To Make it Both Low Carb and High Protein: Combine both of the tips above!

Nutrition

Serving: 1parfait | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1115IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cheesecake Parfait, Cheesecake Parfait Recipe, No Bake Cheesecake Parfait

Share it with me on Instagram and leave a comment to let me know your thoughts!

red white and blue patriotic cheesecake parfaits for summer

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on June 29, 2015 and updated on July 2, 2021.

Faith, author of An Edible Mosaic.
About Faith

I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.

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12 Comments

  1. Oh tweenage girls…never a dull moment, is there? At least you can look back and laugh about it now! I am all sorts of in love with goat cheese cheesecakes at the moment AND berries…so this would hit the spot!

  2. Pingback: This & That: No. 165 - The Simply Luxurious Life®
  3. These are beauties and I love the goat cheese here. It is indeed a perfect Summer dessert and I think I might add a little granola in the layers, too. Thanks!

  4. They are so beautiful! And that story is hilarious. Oh girls…

  5. Wow what a beautiful treat! Definitely bookmarking and giving this a try. Great job :)

    Happy Blogging!

  6. Yes, girls will be girls. :) My best friend and I have taken turns being Angry Girls now and then for the whole 30(!) years that we’ve been best friends.

    I know you said that cream cheese would work here, but I love that you used goat’s cheese. I think it’s wonderful in sweet preparations as well as savory. This looks like the perfect way to celebrate Independence Day to me!

  7. They look divine and wonderfully summery!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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