No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Desserts

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 20 votes

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 12 slices

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Last updated on March 19, 2024

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This No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake has all of the familiar flavors of the classic Nanaimo bar but in an easy no bake cheesecake! The perfect Christmas dessert (but I won’t tell if you indulge year round!). Includes step by step recipe video.

No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (2)

Table of Contents

  • Tips and Tricks for Making this No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake:
  • No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO Recipe

Happy December friends! I am continuing on my quest to turn all of my favorite Christmas treats into a cheesecake with this No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake — maybe my favorite so far (although this No Bake Peanut Butter Marshmallow Square Cheesecake is equally as delicious!).

Naniamo Bars are just one of my favorite classic Canadian treats (friends, we have some incredible eats up here!) and they originated in Nanaimo, B.C.. Makes sense, right??

For this cheesecake, I have borrowed the base for this cheesecake from the Nanaimo Bar recipe on Nanaimo’s web site, although I have simplified the method a little to suit my lazy girl baking style.

No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (3)

On top of that, we have a silky smooth no bake cheesecake, with a good amount of Bird’s Custard Powder(affiliate link) for that classic flavor. I honestly don’t even know what you would use for a substitute if you couldn’t find it — it’s so readily available here that it’s not an issue! I supposed you could swap it for an equal amount of instant vanilla pudding mix, just don’t tell any self-respecting Canadian you did so.

And on top of that? A silky smooth dark chocolate ganache.

If there is one dessert you need to make this holiday season, this is it friends. It comes together so easily and will totally wow your guests!

No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (4)

Tips and Tricks for Making this No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake:

  • If you can’t find Bird’s Custard Powder in stores, you can order it on Amazon here (and I get a few pennies for telling you that).
  • Let it chill overnight if you can, so that it is firm and slices perfectly!
  • Want to add a little garnish? Sprinkle some toasted coconut and almonds on top after pouring on the chocolate.

No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (5)

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No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 20 votes

This No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake has all of the familiar flavors of the classic Nanaimo bar but in an easy no bake cheesecake! The perfect Christmas dessert (but I won’t tell if you indulge year round!). Includes step by step recipe video.

No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (7)

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Servings 12 slices

Calories 624cal

Ingredients

Crust

  • ½ cup butter
  • ½1/2 cup sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup finely chopped almonds
  • 1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

Filling:

  • 3 packages cream cheese (24 oz or 750 grams total) room temperature
  • ½ cup Bird’s custard powder
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream 35%
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Ganache

  • ¾ cup finely chopped dark chocolate 1 100g bar
  • cup heavy cream

Instructions

Nanaimo Bar Crust

  • In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and cocoa.

  • Gradually whisk in egg, stirring constantly. The heat from the pan and the butter will cook the egg as you stir (no raw eggs!).

  • Stir in graham crumbs, almonds, and coconut until combined. Press firmly into a 9″ Springform pan.

Cheesecake Filling

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.

  • Add custard powder and sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

  • In a separate bowl, whip cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add to cream cheese mixture in two batches, beating on low to combine after each addition.

Ganache

  • In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and cream in 15-20 second intervals, stirring well each time, until smooth (be careful NOT to overheat the chocolate or it will seize!) — I only had to do this twice. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes.

  • Remove cheesecake from the fridge or freezer and pour over top, smoothing to the edges. Refrigerate until completely set, at least 8hours or overnight, before serving. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3-4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:

  • Crust: I cannot recommend any crust substitutions as I have not tested them, but you are welcome to experiment with more or less of the dry ingredients if need be.
  • Cream cheese: because this is a pretty thick cheesecake, you can get away with using light cream cheese if you desire.
  • Bird’s Custard Powder: sorry, there isn’t a subtitute for this or it wouldn’t be Nanaimo Bar! If you know, you know 😉

Nutrition Information

Calories: 624cal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 344mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 1485IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Keywords nanaimo bar cheesecake

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No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (8)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Cathy Clemmons says

    Is there a substitute for the custard powder??

    Reply

  2. Janice Gavin says

    Do you bring the cream cheese to room temperature before incorporating other ingredients?

    Reply

  3. Patti says

    I made this for a Christmas party and it was delicious! My family has requested it for Christmas dessert. One of the very best cheesecakes I have made!

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Patti! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this review!

      Reply

  4. Gillian Weppler says

    This was delicious!
    I followed the recipe pretty closely; however, I used semi-sweet chocolate for the top layer , instead of dark chocolate and I had to double the amount of top layer ( I used 200g chocolate and 2/3 cup cream).
    Delish!

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      I’m so glad!

      Reply

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No Bake Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake Recipe + VIDEO (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my no bake cheesecake set? ›

That means you need to ensure both the heavy cream and the cream cheese are fridge-cold. If your ingredients are too warm, you'll end up with a soupy mixture that will never set, no matter how long you leave it in the fridge.

Why is my no bake cheesecake base soggy? ›

I'd say it's too much liquid in the cheesecake batter and it didn't set fast enough and the liquid and moisture got into the base. Baking the base would help, but I guess if you need to bake it then there's no point to make a no bake cheesecake. Buiscuits, butter and a bit of cocoa powder for the base.

How do you fix a no bake cheesecake mistake? ›

If your filling is really runny, you can add a little bit of gelatin or cornstarch to thicken it up. Gelatin is great for adding firmness, while cornstarch can thicken the mixture without making it too firm.

Why is my no bake cheesecake chunky? ›

Your cream cheese needs to be room temperature before mixing. Trying to whip cold cream cheese into the filling will result in little lumps. Try this: Pull the cream cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before mixing. Unwrap the cream cheese and cut it into cubes if you're in a hurry to get the cake in the fridge.

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

Cold ingredients are a big no-no when it comes to cheesecake. If your ingredients are cold you will have to mix them longer which will whip too much air into your batter. If the cake has too much air, it will rise too much in the oven and then the middle will sink when cooling. Nobody wants a sad, sunken cheesecake.

Will my no-bake cheesecake set faster in the freezer? ›

Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6-8 hours, but overnight is better. For a sturdy no-bake cheesecake with beautifully neat slices, refrigerate for at least 12 hours. This makes for a great make-ahead dessert! Do not freeze the cheesecake to set it.

How can I thicken my no bake cheesecake mix? ›

You can mix a tablespoon or two of cornstarch into your cheesecake filling mixture before baking. Another option is to use a little bit of flour or arrowroot powder. These ingredients will also help to thicken your filling and give it a more consistent texture.

What to do with a failed cheesecake? ›

Perhaps your kitchen is colder because of weather or your oven has a hot spot. For whatever reason, the cheesecake has cracked despite your best efforts. Remember, your cheesecake is still delicious, so instead of calling it a failed experiment, cover the crack with a delicious topping, like a sour cream coat.

What to do if cheesecake doesn't set? ›

One of the common reasons why your cheesecake doesn't set is because of the incorrect oven temperature. Do you preheat your oven correctly before baking your cake? If not, this can lead to a lousy outcome. It is essential to ensure that your oven is set to the right temperature before placing your cheesecake.

Which tastes better, baked or no-bake cheesecake? ›

They both are great in their own way. It all narrows down to your personal preferences. If you enjoy dense and velvety cake, a baked cheesecake is the one for you. Or if you crave some light and airy dessert post-dinner, go for the no-bake one.

Why has my no-bake cheesecake split? ›

Cheesecake can split or curdle for a few reasons – often it's down to the temperature of ingredients. When making cheesecakes (particularly no-bake cheesecakes) the soft cream cheese MUST be full fat, but it should also be at room temperature. However, the double cream should still be cold.

Why is my no bake cheesecake base too hard? ›

If you find that the crumb base is still too hard, then you could slightly reduce the amount of butter used, though we would advise caution on this as the base could become too crumbly instead.

Can you overmix cheesecake? ›

Avoid Overmixing: Unlike other cakes, where beating air into the batter is key, overmixed cheesecake can rise, fall and then crack from that excess air. Keeping ingredients (cheese, eggs, liquids and flavorings) at room temperature can help.

How do you save a no bake cheesecake that didn't set? ›

After the chill time, if your cheesecake still isn't firm enough, you can freeze it to help it set up. Be careful not to freeze it too long unwrapped though; it can cause the texture to become gritty.

Can you eat cheesecake that hasn't set? ›

As long as the cheesecake doesn't have any unusual smell or appearance, it should be safe to eat. Just make sure to give it a taste before serving 🍰😋. Just be mindful of potential food safety issues next time! How can you store cheesecake overnight so that it doesn't get hard or dry?

How long can no bake cheesecake sit out at room temp? ›

No-bake cheesecake must be refrigerated when it is first made to allow it to set properly. It also requires refrigerating for storage and should not sit out longer than two hours for serving. Any leftovers should also be refrigerated.

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