Refreshing No-Bake Berry Cheesecake with a Crunchy Pretzel Crust

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This luxe, no-bake berry cheesecake pie is for the true berry lover: fresh raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, a sweet cooked strawberry compote, and a puckery cranberry puree swirl. The salty-sweet snap of the pretzel crust holds up well under the juicy berries and rich, creamy filling.

Luscious No-Bake Berry Cheesecake with a Crunchy Pretzel Crust

🧾 What You’ll Need to Make This Cheesecake

Before we dive into measurements, here’s a quick look at the star ingredients that make this no-bake berry cheesecake unforgettable:


  • Cream Cheese – The rich, creamy base of the filling.
  • Powdered Sugar – Light sweetness that blends smoothly into the filling.
  • Keebler Pretzel Crust – A shortcut crust with a salty crunch that balances all the sweet layers.
  • Cranberries – Brings a tangy, vibrant swirl that cuts the richness.
  • Mixed Berries – Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries top it off with summer-fresh flavor.
  • Strawberries – For an optional homemade compote that adds another layer of juicy sweetness.

Ingredients

For the Base & Cheesecake Filling:

  • 1 (9-inch) Keebler premade pretzel crust
  • 2 (8 oz) packages Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold

For the Cranberry Swirl:

  • 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup water or juice

For the Cooked Strawberry Compote:

  • 8 oz fresh or frozen whole strawberries (if fresh: washed, dried and capped)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch + 2 T water for thickening (optional)

For the Fresh Berry Topping:

  • 1 cup (8 oz container) blueberries, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 cup (8 oz container) blackberries, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 cup (8 oz container) raspberries, rinsed and patted dry

🔁 Make-Ahead & Time-Saving Tips For Making This Berry Pie

🥄 Skip the cranberry swirl

  • You can leave out the cranberry swirl step since cooking and straining is quite a bit of effort. I love cranberries in all their forms, so I process a whole bunch of cranberries at once, then freeze the acidic puree so I can use it throughout the year for recipes like this. So if you have time to make this in advance of assembling and serving the pie, that’s a good option.

🍓 Shortcut the strawberry compote

  • Want to save another step? You can slice the strawberries and add to the other berries for the top instead of making them into a cooked compote. BUT if you do skip the compote step, add a bit more powdered sugar to the cream cheese filling since it may not be sweet enough for you.

Instructions

1. Make the Cranberry Puree

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  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries and water or juice.
  2. Simmer until cranberries burst and soften, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and let cool about 5 minutes. 
  4. Put a large clean bowl into the sink, and set a fine-mesh strainer over the bowl. 
  5. To a blender, add the cooled cranberry mixture. Blend until smooth, adding more water if necessary.
  6. Pour the puree through the fine-mesh strainer, pressing gently with a wooden spoon to remove seeds and skins. Use a scraper on the underside of the strainer to transfer the strained mixture into the bowl, leaving the seeds and skins in the strainer.
  7. Transfer the smooth, strained puree to a container and place in fridge to completely cool.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
  2. Add vanilla extract and mix well.
  3. Add the heavy cream and continue beating. If too thick, add 3 T more heavy cream.
  4. Spread the cheesecake filling into the Keebler pretzel crust, smoothing the top. An offset spatula works well for this but the back of a large spoon or bowl scraper works too.

3. Swirl in the Cranberry Puree:

  1. Dollop the cooled cranberry puree over the filling, using it all. 
  2. Gently pull the tip of a skewer, toothpick or knife to swirl the puree into the cheesecake. Try not to pierce the bottom or sides of the crust with the skewer. 
  3. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the filling to firm up.

4. Make the Berry Topping:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
  2. Cook over medium heat until berries soften and release juices (about 8 minutes).
  3. If a thicker consistency is desired, mix ½ teaspoon cornstarch with 1 teaspoon water and stir it into the cooked berries, cooking for another minute.
  4. Let the compote cool completely before using.

5. Assemble and Serve:

  1. Once the filling is set, spoon the cooled strawberry compote evenly over the top.
  2. Garnish with the rest of the berries on top of the compote, piling the berries into the middle of the pie, as they will gradually end up on the edges as you slice it.
  3. Chill loosely covered for an hour or more.
  4. Slice and serve chilled!
No-Bake Berry Cheesecake with a Buttery Pretzel Crust

❄️ Storage Tips:

  • 🍓Berries are so delicate that it’s best to cover and refrigerate after every serving. 
  • 🥧Keep the pie covered with the plastic top and crimp the foil pan over the edges to keep air out. 
  • 🧊 Cover and chill immediately after each serving — fresh berries are delicate and can soften quickly.
Creamy No-Bake Cheesecake with Juicy Mixed Berries

No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Pie with Pretzel Crust

Renee’ Groskreutz
Here’s a No-Bake Very Berry Cheesecake with Pretzel Crust recipe, with a cranberry swirl and a mix of fresh and cooked berries on top of a salty-sweet Keebler Pretzel Crust for the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Keebler premade pretzel crust
  • 2 packages Philadelphia cream cheese softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream cold

For the Cranberry Swirl:

  • 1 cup cranberries fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup water or juice

For the Cooked Strawberry Compote:

  • 8 oz whole strawberries
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch + 2 T water for thickening optional

For the Fresh Berry Topping:

  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 1 cup raspberries

Instructions
 

Make the Cranberry Puree:

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries and water or juice.
  • Simmer until cranberries burst and soften, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let cool about 5 minutes. 
  • Put a large clean bowl into the sink, and set a fine-mesh strainer over the bowl. 
  • To a blender, add the cooled cranberry mixture. Blend until smooth, adding more water if necessary.
  • Pour the puree through the fine-mesh strainer, pressing gently with a wooden spoon to remove seeds and skins. Use a scraper on the underside of the strainer to transfer the strained mixture into the bowl, leaving the seeds and skins in the strainer.
  • Transfer the smooth, strained puree to a container and place in fridge to completely cool.

Make the Cheesecake Filling:

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add vanilla extract and mix well.
  • Add the heavy cream and continue beating. If too thick, add 3 T more heavy cream and beat until smooth and combined.
  • Spread the cheesecake filling into the Keebler pretzel crust, smoothing the top. An offset spatula works well for this but the back of a large spoon or bowl scraper works too.

Swirl in the Cranberry Puree:

  • Dollop the cooled cranberry puree over the filling, using it all. 
  • Gently pull the tip of a skewer, toothpick or knife to swirl the puree into the cheesecake. Try not to pierce the bottom or sides of the crust with the skewer. 
  • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the filling to firm up.

Make the Berry Topping:

  • In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
  • Cook over medium heat until berries soften and release juices (about 8 minutes).
  • If a thicker consistency is desired, mix ½ teaspoon cornstarch with 1 teaspoon water and stir it into the cooked berries, cooking for another minute.
  • Let the compote cool completely before using.

 Assemble and Serve:

  • Once the filling is set, spoon the cooled strawberry compote evenly over the top.
  • Garnish with the rest of the berries on top of the compote, piling the berries into the middle of the pie, as they will gradually end up on the edges as you slice it.
  • Slice and serve immediately.

Notes

I find that fresh berries are so delicate that this no-bake cheesecake pie is best eaten the same day you assemble it. Keep covered and cold up to three days in the fridge, just keep in mind that all of the juicy layers will eventually soften the texture of the crisp crust.
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