Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s festive, fuss-free, and absolutely crowd-pleasing, then this Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe is about to become your go-to. It’s got that perfect balance of creamy, tangy cheesecake filling nestled on a buttery, spiced Biscoff biscuit crust. Plus, it’s no-bake, which means less time in front of the oven and more time with your guests – a win-win in my kitchen every holiday season.
I first made this cheesecake a few years ago when I wanted something different but still classic enough to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. What I love most (and I think you will too) is how easily you can customize the toppings to suit your family’s favorite festive fruits and herbs. This Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe is guaranteed to impress without the stress, making it an ideal treat for holiday dinners, potlucks, or even a cozy night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this cheesecake is in its simple, quality ingredients that come together effortlessly. Each one plays a role in building that rich, smooth texture and balanced, festive flavor. Shopping tip: choose fresh, high-quality cream cheese and cold cream to ensure the best consistency for your no-bake filling.
- Biscoff biscuits: These add a warm, cinnamon-spiced depth to the crust, but you can swap with plain digestive biscuits if preferred.
- Unsalted butter: Melting it just right helps bind the crust perfectly – avoid salted butter unless you adjust the salt elsewhere.
- Cinnamon powder: Optional but highly recommended for that cozy, holiday vibe.
- Brown sugar: Adds a subtle caramel note to the crust that’s hard to beat.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors without being noticeable.
- Unflavoured gelatin powder: Essential for setting the cheesecake without heat – be sure to bloom it properly for a silky finish.
- Cold water: For blooming the gelatin so it dissolves smoothly into the filling.
- Thickened/heavy cream (for filling): Must be very cold to whip nicely and hold the cheesecake’s structure.
- Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature so it blends totally smooth – I always leave mine out for about an hour.
- Caster sugar: Fine enough to dissolve quickly, keeping the texture smooth and velvety.
- Vanilla extract: A little goes a long way to lift the whole cheesecake’s flavor.
- Lemon juice: Optional but adds a lovely bright touch that cuts through the richness.
- Thickened/heavy cream (for whipped cream): Cold cream is key to get the Chantilly cream to whip up fluffy and stable.
- Sugar for whipped cream: Adjust to your sweetness preference, icing sugar gives a silkier finish than caster.
- Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries: Fresh berries give a pop of color and fresh tartness.
- Orange slices: Cut into half moons for a bright, citrusy holiday note.
- Rosemary sprigs: Adds a festive, piney aroma that looks beautiful as garnish.
- Icing sugar: For a light dusting that makes this dessert picture-perfect.
Variations
One of the best things about this Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe is its flexibility – I love tweaking it depending on what’s in season and who’s at the table. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!
- Nut-Free Variation: Skip any nutty biscuits and use plain cookies to keep it allergy-friendly. I’ve tried this when guests had allergies, and it’s just as delicious.
- Chocolate Twist: Add a layer of melted dark chocolate over the crust before spreading the cheesecake. It’s my secret weapon when I want an extra decadent touch.
- Vegan Version: Sub in vegan cream cheese and whipped coconut cream, then use agar-agar instead of gelatin. I experimented with this for a friend’s party—it takes a little adjustment but is so worth it!
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the crust or filling to deepen those Christmassy flavors.
How to Make Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe
Step 1: Create the Biscuit Base
Start by crushing your Biscoff biscuits into fine crumbs – a food processor makes this quick, but a sturdy zip-top bag and rolling pin work just as well. Mix these crumbs with melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into a lined slab tin or rectangular baking dish (around 9×13 inches works great). Pro tip: Chill the base for at least 20 minutes to help it set while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Bloom and Melt the Gelatin
Sprinkle the unflavoured gelatin powder over cold tap water in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it blooms and thickens, then gently heat it in short bursts in the microwave or over a double boiler just until it dissolves completely—don’t overheat or boil it! This step is crucial for a silky smooth cheesecake filling without any lumps.
Step 3: Whip the Cream and Cream Cheese
Using a large mixing bowl, whip the cold thickened cream until it forms soft peaks—be careful not to overdo it or it’ll turn to butter. In another bowl, combine your softened cream cheese with sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Mix these until perfectly smooth and creamy, then slowly add the dissolved gelatin, mixing quickly but gently to ensure even incorporation.
Step 4: Fold and Chill
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in batches, maintaining as much air as possible to keep it light and fluffy. Pour this luscious filling over your chilled biscuit base and smooth the top with a spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to let everything set beautifully.
Step 5: Prepare the Whipped Cream Topping
Just before serving, whip the heavy cream with your preferred sugar until it forms soft peaks. Spread or pipe this Chantilly cream over the set cheesecake slab—this adds an elegant, light finish that pairs perfectly with your festive decorations.
How to Serve Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe

Garnishes
For me, fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries give vibrant color and fresh tartness that cuts through the richness of the cheesecake. I also love adding halved cherries and some orange slices for that bright citrus note. A few sprigs of rosemary not only smell divine but make your dessert table look truly festive. Finally, a light dusting of icing sugar over the top brings that snowy, Christmas morning vibe.
Side Dishes
I usually serve this cheesecake alongside warm spiced mulled wine or a robust coffee – both complement the creamy, sweet layers perfectly. If it’s a bigger Christmas dinner, Austrian spiced plum compote or a simple fruit salad with a squeeze of fresh lemon really round out the experience nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to elevate this cheesecake for a party, try layering the berries and orange slices in a gradient or pattern for a wow factor. Piping festive shapes with the whipped cream topping—like stars or little fir trees—can create a playful Christmas feel. Serving it on a wooden board sprinkled lightly with edible gold dust or crushed pistachios adds a touch of elegance I adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled and decorated, cover your Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid. I keep mine in the fridge, and it stays fresh and creamy for up to 4 days – which is great because there’s rarely any leftover, but it’s nice to know it lasts.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this cheesecake a couple of times when prepping ahead. Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil to avoid freezer burn. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Just keep in mind that while the texture might be just a touch softer after freezing, the flavors hold up beautifully.
Reheating
This dessert is best served chilled, so reheating typically isn’t necessary. If your fridge is super cold, I like to let individual slices sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to shine and the texture to soften slightly.
FAQs
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Can I make the Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream cheese and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Remember to use agar-agar powder as a setting agent in place of gelatin, adjusting quantities as per the package instructions.
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How long should I chill the cheesecake before serving?
To get the perfect set and texture, chill the cheesecake for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best. This ensures the gelatin fully sets and the flavors meld beautifully.
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Can I make this Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! It’s one of the best make-ahead desserts. You can prepare it a day or two before your event, store it in the fridge, and decorate just before serving to keep everything fresh and pretty.
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What if I don’t have Biscoff biscuits?
No worries—plain digestive biscuits, graham crackers, or even ginger snap cookies work well. Just adjust the cinnamon and sugar depending on the sweetness and spice level of your chosen biscuit.
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How do I avoid lumps in the cheesecake filling?
Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing, and incorporate the dissolved gelatin gently but quickly into the mixture. Also, folding in the whipped cream carefully helps keep it smooth and airy.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe has become a staple in my holiday baking because it’s simple, stunning, and delicious every single time. It frees me from oven duty, lets me prep ahead, and impresses my family and friends with its creamy, festive charm. If you give it a try, I’m sure you’ll find it just as comforting and crowd-pleasing as I do – the perfect sweet ending to your Christmas celebrations.
Print
Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Western, Christmas
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Christmas No-Bake Cheesecake Slab is a festive, creamy dessert featuring a spiced Biscoff biscuit crust and a smooth, rich no-bake cheesecake filling. Topped with fresh berries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs, it’s perfect for holiday celebrations and requires no oven time, making it simple and elegant.
Ingredients
Biscuit crust:
- 300g (10 oz) Biscoff biscuits (about 38 pieces) or other plain biscuits/cookies (about 1 1/2 cups crumbs)
- 120g (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder (optional, recommended)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
No-bake cheesecake filling:
- 3 1/2 tsp (13.5 g) unflavoured gelatin powder
- 3 tbsp cold tap water
- 1 1/2 cups thickened or heavy cream (whipping cream), fridge cold
- 750g (24 oz) cream cheese block (3 blocks), well softened at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Whipped cream (Chantilly cream):
- 2 cups thickened or heavy cream (whipping cream), fridge cold
- 3 tbsp caster sugar (superfine sugar) or 6 tbsp sifted icing sugar
Christmas decoration:
- Strawberries, halved or quartered for larger ones
- Blackberries and raspberries
- Cherries
- 6 orange slices, cut into half moons
- Rosemary sprigs
- Icing sugar (confectionary sugar) for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Biscuit Crust: Crush Biscoff biscuits into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and rolling with a rolling pin. In a bowl, combine the biscuit crumbs, melted butter, cinnamon powder, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Form the Crust: Press the biscuit mixture evenly into the base of a lined rectangular slab or cake tin. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to compress firmly. Place in the fridge to chill and set while preparing the filling.
- Bloom the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over cold tap water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to bloom (absorb water and swell).
- Whip the Cream for Filling: Using an electric mixer, whip the cold heavy cream to soft peaks and set aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the caster sugar and continue beating until well combined and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract and optional lemon juice for brightness.
- Melt Gelatin: Once the gelatin has bloomed, gently warm it in the microwave or over a double boiler until fully dissolved. Do not boil. Allow it to cool slightly but not set.
- Combine Gelatin with Cream Cheese Mixture: Slowly pour the dissolved gelatin into the cream cheese mixture while beating continuously to ensure it incorporates evenly without lumps.
- Fold Whipped Cream into Filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese and gelatin mixture, using a spatula to maintain the airy texture without overmixing.
- Assemble the Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the chilled biscuit crust. Smooth the surface with an offset spatula and return to the fridge for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, to set firmly.
- Make Chantilly Cream: Whip the remaining 2 cups of cold heavy cream with caster sugar or sifted icing sugar until soft to medium peaks form.
- Decorate: Once the cheesecake slab is set, spread or pipe the Chantilly cream evenly over the top. Decorate with halved or quartered strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, orange half-moons, and rosemary sprigs. Lightly dust with icing sugar to finish.
- Serve: Carefully remove from the slab tin or base, slice into servings with a sharp knife (wipe knife between cuts for neat slices), and enjoy this festive no-bake cheesecake treat.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling with no lumps.
- If Biscoff biscuits are unavailable, plain digestive biscuits or graham crackers work as alternatives.
- The optional cinnamon in the crust adds warm spice notes but can be omitted if preferred.
- The whipped cream in the filling helps achieve a lighter texture.
- Ensure gelatin is fully dissolved to avoid grainy texture.
- This cheesecake must be chilled sufficiently to set properly since it is no-bake.
- For best results, prepare a day ahead to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Fresh fruit decorations can be customized according to season or preference.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Christmas cheesecake, no-bake cheesecake slab, festive dessert, Biscoff crust, holiday cheesecake, no oven dessert
