No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Balls
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Let me introduce you to my bite-sized version of cherry cheesecake. My no-bake cherry cheesecake balls are made with creamy condensed milk and cream cheese with sweet cherry pie filling and a crunchy graham cracker crumb coating.
I love cherry cheesecake around the holidays because my Grandmama used to always make a cherry cream cheese pie for me this time of year. She was actually allergic to the red cherries but still made it because she knew it was my favorite. Now that’s a good grandmama!
The problem I encountered then is still much the same as now. I can hardly be left alone with that pie because it is just too stinking good. So this year, I set out to create a bite-size version of my cherry cheesecake recipe that’s perfect for parties and get-togethers and gives you just the right amount of cherry cheesecake goodness in every bite. I could not be more thrilled with these no-bake cherry cheesecake balls! They are everything I hoped for and more, like .
All you need is cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, cherry pie filling, and those graham cracker crumbs. We simply mix the ingredients together, chill the batter, and then roll it into mini cheesecake balls. They truly are all that is good and wonderful about a cherry cheesecake rolled up into a bite-size ball of goodness. The taste of graham crust sprinkled throughout makes them even better than the original in many ways.
Ready to give them a go?
Recipe Ingredients
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Vanilla extract
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Cherry pie filling
- Cream cheese (here’s how to easily make homemade cream cheese)
How to Make No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Balls
Place condensed milk, cream cheese, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well blended.
If your cream cheese was not room temp, this is going to take a little more time so you really really need to let that get to room temp.
Dump the entire box of graham crumbs on top of the .
Mix again until it is the consistency of cookie dough, scraping down sides if needed.
Like this.
Now, I’m not here to judge or anything but I will tell you that you’re crazy if you don’t get a pinch of this right now to taste!
Dump the entire contents of the cherry pie filling into the dough.
Mix that gently with an electric mixer until just blended and then stop.
We don’t want to overmix because we’ll make all of those little bits of cherries disappear into the dough.
Cover the with and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour or until well chilled.
Roll refrigerated into one-inch balls and roll those in the additional graham crumbs.
Once all the mini cheesecake bites are made, store them covered in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
These little bites are wonderful to take to a party or family get-together. They remain firm and are so easy to just pick up and pop in your mouth! When you make a batch, keep a few in a container in your fridge to grab a cheesecake bite when the holiday sweet tooth hits!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Recipe Notes
- If you want, you can also add a tablespoon of bottled lemon juice. I added it to one batch and forgot to add it to the other and both were very good. So if you have it on hand, go for it. If you don’t have it on hand, don’t go buy it just for this.
- On the cherry pie filling: I’m usually all about generic ingredients and saving money but when it comes to pie filling, the less you pay the fewer cherries you get these days. With that in mind, I recommend paying the extra fifty cents or so to get a “premium” cherry pie filling and avoiding the generics.
- In the directions, I suggest two boxes of graham crumbs. That is because you will have to skimp to have enough to coat them with. You’ll end up with a lot of extra crumbs but there are so many uses for them during the holidays… like making cherry no-bake cheesecake bites again after these have been inhaled!
- For added flavor and texture, fold in 1/2 cup of coconut flakes when you add the cherry pie filling.
- For something different, substitute the graham cracker crumb coating for melted chocolate instead to make chocolate cheesecake balls. YUM.
- For best results, let them chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
You may also like these recipes:
Cheesecake Toppings & An Easy Cheesecake Recipe
Christmas Tie Dyed Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese at room temp
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 boxes graham cracker crumbs
- 1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Place condensed milk, cream cheese, lemon juice (if using), and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well blended.2 8-ounce packages cream cheese at room temp, 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice
- Dump the entire box of graham crumbs on top of the cream cheese mixture. Mix again until it is the consistency of cookie dough, scraping down sides if needed.2 boxes graham cracker crumbs
- Dump the entire contents of cherry pie filling into the dough and mix gently with an electric mixer until just blended. Don’t overmix because it will break up all of the cherries to the point that they disappear into the dough.1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling
- Cover with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour or until well chilled.
- Roll into one-inch balls and roll those in the additional graham cracker crumbs. Once all the cheesecake balls are made, store them covered in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition
If you can’t have the best of everything, make the best of everything you have.
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These sound amazing. I can’t wait to make them for my husband. He loves all things cheese cake and especially cherry.
I hope you enjoy them!!!
Christy – can these be frozen? Making 50-60 at a time is great, but only if I can freeze and then thaw successfully. Can’t wait to try them. My Nan used to make the cherry cream cheese pie all the time too!
I wondered also, if these bites could be frozen. Thanks. e.
I have not frozen them but I think that is one of the best ideas I’ve heard all year and will not hesitate to freeze some next time!
I’ve had good luck with the Kroger brand cherry pie filling.
I haven’t tried freezing them but I can’t see any reason they couldn’t be.
I froze them and ate them frozen. I think they are even better that way. Also when making them I put a spoon full of the dough directly in the crumbs sprinkled crumbs over them and then rolled them, that way I didn’t have any problem with them being sticky.
WOW! These look great and since my oldest son and I are the only
ones who like cheesecake, we could make these just for us and freeze
the rest for treats. I make a peanut butter pie and I bet it could easily
be made into balls for easier snacking just like these little gems.
Great idea Bren!
Christy, This is one of my favorite pies too. My mom used to make it on special occasions (holidays, when entertaining my dad’s bosses etc…) and it brings back so many wonderful memories. I can’t wait to give these bites a try! I’m so excited!
Thanks for all you do!
I do something that is along the same lines! I buy cinnamon graham crackers, Philly Cheese cake in a tub, and Cherry pie filling. Snap graham crackers apart into sections. Place one small dollop of cheesecake filling on top of section of graham cracker. Place one Cherry from pie filling on top! Teeny mini cheese cakes!!! but I’m gonna try yours too!!!
What a cute idea!!
I use vanilla wafers in the bottom of the cupcake liner too. Delicious!
This is a great idea… I love cheesecake & I think everyone in my family does too. What a great idea to have these little bite size ones./ I use a lot of your recipes & & idea. This is going to be one of my favorites. I think.<3
Thanks so much! I’ve “had” to make these a few times since developing it and manage to suffer through having them in my fridge every time with a BIG OLD GRIN on my face. Hopefully you’ll suffer with a grin, too!
I think I just might.
Thank you, these sound delicious! Do you h
ave an estimate of about how many this recipe makes?
Sure do! I put it in the recipe card. About 50-60 bites. Have a great day!
Thanks…I see it now >>>>slapping myself on my forehead, lol
🙂
Yum! I made these today and got 75 out if the batch. I’m not a fan of cherries so I just did plain cheesecake bites and then made a cinnamon buttermilk caramel sauce to drizzle. Next time I’m going to add cookie dough so I can have chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake bites.
Oh my goodness, that sounds like a delicious idea!!! Let me know how they turn out!
Is there a way to do this without the cherrys breaking up into pieces
I made some they taste yummy but is there an easier way to roll into balls without the mix sticking to my fingers and hands???
You can use a cookie dough scoop if you like. Also, try wetting your hands ahead of time, that usually helps.
Can you roll in green and red sugar instead if graham Cracker crumbs?
This recipe needs to be fixed…I have never in my 40 plus years of baking had such a problem handling a dough….I would not recommend anyone make these…they are totally frustating……chucked most of it in the garbage….a waste of great ings and money….
I have a feeling you forgot the step where you refrigerate the dough until chilled thoroughly before rolling into balls. That should have made it easy to handle.
Can I substitute cherries for blueberries? My daughter loves blueberries.
I tried your Cherry Cheesecake bites recipe, I had left it in the fridge over night because I was to tired to finish. Anyways my dough is still sticky, not firm enough to roll into balls, any suggestions??
Kroger has a cherry pie filling that is packed with cherries. I can’t remember if it’s called “Extra” or “Extreme”, but there’s a LOT of cherries in it.
Thanks for the recipe! I will be making this soon!