No-Bake Cotton Candy Cheesecake
The No-Bake Cotton Candy Cheesecake is a delightful, fluffy, and creamy dessert that captures the whimsical flavor and pastel colors of cotton candy without requiring any baking. Ready in under an hour (plus chilling time), this easy-to-make cheesecake features a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture perfect for parties, special occasions, or weekend treats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian (can be made Vegan with substitutions), Gluten Free (if using gluten-free crackers or ladyfingers)
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 150g Ladyfingers or Graham Crackers, crushed finely
- 75g Butter, melted
- Optional: 2 tbsp rainbow sprinkles or crushed candy bits for extra crunch
Cheesecake Filling
- 450g Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- 200ml Heavy Whipping Cream
- 100g Sugar
- 2 tsp Cotton Candy Flavored Syrup or Extract
- 1 tsp Gelatin powder (or agar agar for vegetarian/vegan alternative)
- 3 tbsp Cold Water (for gelatin blooming)
- Optional: Food Coloring (pastel pink or blue) to enhance cotton candy colors
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Crush the ladyfingers or graham crackers into fine crumbs. Mix the crumbs with melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of your pan to form an even crust layer. Refrigerate to chill while preparing the filling.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Allow the cream cheese to reach room temperature. Beat it together with sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, forming the creamy base of the cheesecake.
- Dissolve the Gelatin: Bloom the gelatin by sprinkling it over cold water and letting it sit for about 5 minutes. Warm gently until fully dissolved, taking care to avoid lumps.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, creating a light and airy texture to contrast the dense cream cheese.
- Combine Flavors and Fold: Slowly mix the dissolved gelatin into the cream cheese mixture. Add cotton candy flavored syrup or extract and food coloring if desired. Gently fold in the whipped cream, preserving as much airiness as possible for a fluffy texture.
- Assemble and Chill: Pour the filling over the chilled crust and smooth the surface with a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the cheesecake to set fully.
- Garnish and Serve: Once set, decorate with cotton candy pieces, rainbow sprinkles, or fresh fruit just before serving to add extra flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese and whipping cream are at room temperature for a smooth blend.
- Fold whipped cream gently to maintain volume and light texture.
- Use pure cotton candy extract or syrup for authentic flavor.
- Chill completely before slicing to ensure the cheesecake holds its shape.
- Bloom gelatin properly and warm gently to prevent clumps.
- Can customize with fruit swirls, dairy-free or vegan alternatives, and crust variations for dietary needs or taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8th of cheesecake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: no-bake cheesecake, cotton candy cheesecake, easy dessert, pastel dessert, party dessert, kid-friendly dessert, creamy cheesecake, no oven dessert
Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/no-bake-cotton-candy-cheesecake/