No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

If you’re craving a dessert that’s rich, creamy, and oh-so-chocolaty without turning on your oven, you’re going to love this No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe. I absolutely love how effortlessly decadent it is, and honestly, it’s become my go-to when I want something impressive yet simple to throw together. Stick with me — I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail this stunning, silky-smooth cheesecake that my family goes crazy for.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • No Oven Required: Perfect for hot days or last-minute desserts when you don’t want to heat up your kitchen.
  • Creamy Texture: Achieves that classic cheesecake smoothness thanks to the whipped cream fold-in trick.
  • Chocolatey Goodness: Uses good quality chocolate and Oreos to bring rich flavor without bitterness.
  • Easy Prep & Crowd Pleaser: Takes just 20 minutes to prep, and everyone will be asking for seconds!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this no bake chocolate cheesecake recipe is in how simple ingredients come together to create something that feels so luxurious. Using Oreos for the crust adds a fun chocolate-y crunch, while the cream cheese and whipped cream blend gives you that melt-in-your-mouth richness.

  • Oreo cookies: I use the classic cookies with filling for extra flavor and sweetness; it makes the crust amazing without extra sugar.
  • Unsalted butter: Melted and mixed into the crushed Oreos to help the crust hold its shape nicely.
  • Good quality chocolate: Go for 60-70% cocoa — it gives the cheesecake a deep chocolate flavor without being too bitter.
  • Heavy whipping cream: Cold cream whips up beautifully, lending the cheesecake its light, airy texture.
  • Cream cheese: Make sure it’s room temperature for smooth mixing — no lumps allowed here!
  • Powdered sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness and blends effortlessly with the cream cheese.
  • Sweetened whipped cream: Optional for topping, but trust me, it’s the perfect finishing touch.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this no bake chocolate cheesecake recipe my own by playing around with flavors and add-ins. Feel free to experiment — that’s part of the fun! Here are a few ways I’ve tweaked it to keep things interesting.

  • Peanut Butter Swirl: When I first tried adding a peanut butter swirl to the filling, it was a game changer. Just melt some peanut butter and swirl it gently into the chocolate mixture before folding in the whipped cream.
  • Mint Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract for a refreshing twist — perfect around the holidays.
  • Fruit Topping: Fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries make a gorgeous, colorful topping and add a nice tangy contrast to the rich chocolate.
  • Gluten-Free Crust: Substitute crushed gluten-free cookies instead of Oreos, and you’re all set to share with gluten-intolerant guests.

How to Make No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Start by lining your 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper between the bottom and the rim — this made my life so much easier when I removed the cheesecake later. Then, pop those Oreos and melted butter into a food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs that hold together when pinched. Press this mixture firmly into the pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom and about half an inch up the sides. This crust is slightly crunchy but softens beautifully after chilling.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Combine

In a medium bowl, combine your chopped chocolate and half a cup of cold heavy cream. Microwave in 20 to 30-second bursts, stirring really well in between. Don’t rush this — patience here keeps the chocolate smooth and luscious. Set it aside to cool slightly while you move on to the cream cheese.

Step 3: Whip Up the Filling

Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until perfectly smooth — I always use room temperature cream cheese to prevent lumps. Add the powdered sugar and the melted chocolate mixture, beating on low so everything blends without splattering. Next, whip the remaining cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. This is the magic step: fold the whipped cream gently into the chocolate cream cheese mixture with a spatula or low mixer speed. This keeps it light and airy.

Step 4: Refrigerate and Set

Pour the filling over your crust, smooth out the top, then cover and chill for at least 7 hours or overnight. This patience pays off — the cheesecake sets beautifully without baking, rewarding you with a texture that nearly rivals traditional baked cheesecakes.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

  • Room Temperature Cream Cheese: I learned the hard way that cold cream cheese creates lumps, so always let it soften before mixing.
  • Don’t Overwhip the Cream: Whip until stiff peaks just form — overwhipping can make the filling grainy or separate.
  • Chocolate Cooling Time: Let the melted chocolate cool to warm (not hot) before adding it to cream cheese to prevent curdling.
  • Use Fresh Cream: I always recommend fresh heavy cream — ultra-pasteurized cream doesn’t whip as well.

How to Serve No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

A slice of chocolate mousse cake with three distinct layers is on a white speckled plate placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is dark and crumbly, resembling a cookie crust. The middle layer is a thick, light brown chocolate mousse, smooth and creamy in texture. The top layer is a thin, slightly darker chocolate mousse, smooth and firm. On top of the slice, there are three white swirls of whipped cream, each decorated with small chocolate curls. Next to the slice on the plate are three pieces of dark chocolate and scattered chocolate shavings. A metal fork with the words

Garnishes

I usually top mine with a generous dollop of sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed Oreos for that extra crunchy contrast. Sometimes, a few fresh raspberries or shaved dark chocolate give it a beautiful pop of color and flavor I just love.

Side Dishes

This cheesecake pairs wonderfully with coffee or a glass of cold milk. If you’re serving at a party, fresh fruit salad or a tangy berry compote alongside really balances the rich sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this cheesecake in individual mini jars layered with cookie crumbs and topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings—it’s adorable and so easy to portion out. You could also add edible gold dust or drizzle caramel sauce for a fancy touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers should be covered tightly and kept in the refrigerator. I find these slices stay fresh and creamy for up to 4 days, though mine rarely last that long! Just make sure to keep them chilled until ready to serve.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this cheesecake with success by wrapping slices individually in plastic wrap and storing them in an airtight container. Thaw them overnight in the fridge for the best texture. The texture is just slightly softer after freezing but still delicious.

Reheating

This cheesecake is best enjoyed chilled and generally doesn’t need reheating. If you prefer it at room temperature, just let it sit out for 15-20 minutes. Heating it in the microwave isn’t recommended as it can affect the texture.

FAQs

  1. Can I use other cookies instead of Oreos for the crust?

    Absolutely! You can swap in any chocolate or chocolate wafer cookies you like. Just be sure they crumble well and taste good to you, since the crust sets the base for the whole cheesecake flavor.

  2. Do I have to chill the cheesecake overnight?

    While chilling overnight gives the best texture and flavor, a minimum of 7 hours will do the trick. Just make sure it’s fully set before slicing to keep clean edges.

  3. Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

    It’s a bit tricky because cream cheese and whipping cream are key for texture. However, there are dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and coconut whip you could experiment with — though results may vary.

  4. Why is my cheesecake too soft or runny?

    This often happens if the whipped cream wasn’t beaten to stiff peaks or if the cheesecake didn’t chill long enough. Make sure your cream is cold before whipping, and give it the full chilling time to set properly.

  5. Can I use a different type of chocolate?

    You can! I recommend using a good quality semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. Milk chocolate will make it sweeter and less intense, while very dark chocolate might taste too bitter. Experiment based on your preference.

Final Thoughts

This No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe has become one of those gems I recommend to everyone—from beginner bakers to those just wanting a stress-free dessert that impresses. It’s quick to make, requires minimal fuss, and delivers that perfect balance of creamy and chocolatey every time. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become a household favorite in your kitchen like it has in mine!

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No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

4.8 from 140 reviews
  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 slices 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake is a rich and creamy dessert featuring a crunchy Oreo cookie crust and a luscious chocolate cream cheese filling. Perfect for chocolate lovers, this indulgent cheesecake requires no baking and is chilled to set, making it a simple yet impressive treat for any occasion.


Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 25 Oreo cookies with filling (about 300g)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Chocolate Filling

  • 1¼ cups good quality chocolate (7oz or 200g)
  • 1½ cups heavy whipping cream (cold, divided)
  • 3 packages cream cheese, room temperature (8oz or 250g each)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (220g)

To Serve

  • Sweetened whipped cream as desired

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan: Place a piece of parchment paper between the bottom and the rim of a 9″ springform pan. This step is optional but helps to easily remove the cheesecake later.
  2. Make the crust: Using a food processor, process the Oreo cookies along with the melted butter until you obtain fine crumbs and the mixture starts to stick together. Press this crust firmly into the bottom of the pan and about ½ inch up the sides. Set aside.
  3. Melt the chocolate: In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate with ½ cup of the heavy cream. Microwave in 20- to 30-second intervals on high power, stirring well after each interval until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
  4. Beat the cream cheese: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
  5. Add sugar and chocolate: Gradually add the powdered sugar and then the melted chocolate mixture to the cream cheese, beating on low speed until everything is well combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  6. Whip the remaining cream: In a separate bowl, whip the remaining 1 cup of cold heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
  7. Fold in whipped cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate cream cheese mixture using a spatula or low mixer speed, being careful to retain as much air as possible for a light texture.
  8. Assemble and chill: Spread the filling evenly into the prepared Oreo crust. Cover the pan and refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 7 hours or preferably overnight until set.
  9. Serve: Slice the cheesecake and serve with sweetened whipped cream or your choice of toppings.

Notes

  • An 8″ springform pan can also be used; the cheesecake will be slightly taller if using this size.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing for a smoother filling.
  • Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor in the filling.
  • Be careful not to over-mix when folding in the whipped cream to keep the mixture light and airy.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cheesecake)
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 22g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg