Nana’s Simple Cheesecake – My Baking Habit

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My nana’s simple cheesecake is a favourite in our household and I do know it would change into a favourite in yours, too! Prime this easy cheesecake along with your favourite pie filling or sauce and watch it disappear very quickly.

Slices of nana's easy cheesecake topped with cherry pie filling and whipped topping on white plates.

My nana had a couple of “well-known” recipes that she would make for nearly each vacation. They included pumpkin roll, pumpkin crunch cake, and this simple cheesecake recipe. 

This cheesecake is one thing she made for just about each event – most frequently she’d high half with lemon pie filling and half with cherry pie filling. 

I nonetheless keep on the custom of constructing it for holidays together with my aunt Debbie. Whereas Aunt Debbie retains it fairly conventional, I’ll usually mess around with completely different taste combos, like including lemon zest to the crust or utilizing selfmade fruit toppings. 

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a straightforward cheesecake recipe to make to your subsequent household gathering or cookout with pals, that is it! I hope you find it irresistible as a lot as my household does.

Overhead view of sliced nana's easy cheesecake on a marble board. The slices are topped with cherry pie filling and whipped topping.

HOW TO MAKE NANA’S EASY CHEESECAKE

Nana’s simple cheesecake is what I contemplate to be a “low-bake” recipe. 

In contrast to a basic vanilla cheesecake, you don’t bake your complete cheesecake. Extra like pistachio pudding dessert, you bake the crust after which end it with a no-bake filling and topping.

It’s nice for making forward of time because it has to sit back within the fridge to set, so don’t hesitate to whip it up the night time earlier than you intend to serve it!

Ingredients for nana's easy cheesecake arranged on a countertop.

Components you’ll want

Nana’s cheesecake doesn’t use a conventional graham cracker crust. As an alternative, the crust is sort of extra like a cookie. It may not be what you’re used to, however I promise it’s scrumptious!

For the crust, you have to:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • pinch of salt

Be sure to take a look at my suggestions for the best way to measure flour earlier than you get began. That manner you’re profitable each time.

Crumbly crust mixture for nana's easy cheesecake in a white mixing bowl.

For the cheesecake filling and the topping, you have to:

  • 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling or different taste of selection
  • 1 (8-ounce) container of Cool Whip or TruWhip, thawed in line with bundle instructions
Crust for nana's easy cheesecake pressed into a pan and ready to go in the oven.

See how easy that filling is? Simply cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract! Couldn’t be simpler.

If you happen to run out of powdered sugar, I’ve a trick for the best way to make powdered sugar. You need to use that substitute on this recipe.

I actually love utilizing my selfmade cherry pie filling to high this simple cheesecake, however haven’t any downside utilizing canned pie filling in a pinch!

Baked crust for nana's easy cheesecake cooling on a wire rack.

Making this recipe

One of many issues that makes Nana’s cheesecake really easy is that it’s made in a 9×13-inch pan as an alternative of in a springform pan. Line your pan with parchment paper or foil and spray it with nonstick spray to prep it.

Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to mix the crust substances till they’re crumbly. Use your palms to press this combination into the ready pan and bake for about quarter-hour.

Let the crust cool fully earlier than you add the filling.

Pan of nana's easy cheesecake next to bowls of whipped topping and cherry pie filling.

Whenever you’re prepared so as to add the filling, beat the cream cheese with a mixer till gentle and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat for one more 3-4 minutes. 

Unfold the filling onto the crust, then high with the pie filling and the whipped topping. 

Cowl and refrigerate for not less than 4 hours earlier than serving.

Alternatively, you possibly can wait so as to add the pie filling and whipped topping till after you have got sliced the cheesecake for a prettier presentation. It’s completely as much as you!

Slices of nana's easy cheesecake topped with cherry pie filling and whipped topping set on a marble platter.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Like I discussed above, my aunt Debbie likes to stay with the basic cherry pie filling when she makes Nana’s simple cheesecake, however I’ll typically change it up.

Attempt including some lemon zest to the crust or the filling and topping with microwave lemon curd or selfmade blueberry sauce.

You could possibly persist with cherry pie filling or use selfmade strawberry pie filling as an alternative. 

Or give raspberry sauce or strawberry sauce a strive! Or neglect the fruit altogether and go along with scorching fudge sauce as an alternative. 

Slice of nana's easy cheesecake on a plate with a bite taken from the corner.

MORE EASY CHEESECAKE RECIPES

If Nana’s recipe has you craving less difficult cheesecake recipes, don’t fear – I’ve obtained you lined! Try these different no-bake or low-bake recipes, good for any event:

Two white plates, each with a slice of nana's easy cheesecake topped with cherry pie filling and a dollop of whipped topping.

Components

For the Crust

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • pinch of salt

For the Filling

  • 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Topping

  • 2 21-ounce cans cherry pie filling or different taste of selection
  • 1 8-ounce container of Cool Whip or TruWhip, thawed in line with bundle instructions

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix flour, butter, sugar and salt till mixed – combination will probably be crumbly. Pour the combination into the ready pan and use your palms to press the dough into an excellent layer within the pan. Bake in preheated oven for quarter-hour. Take away pan from oven and to a cooling rack to chill fully.
  3. As soon as the crust has cooled, add the cream cheese to the stand mixer bowl and beat at medium velocity for 4-5 minutes till gentle and fluffy. Add within the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat for an extra 3-4 minutes. Unfold filling onto cooled crust. Prime with pie filling, adopted with Cool Whip. Cowl and refrigerate for not less than 4 hours. 

Notes

I like to recommend lifting the cheesecake out of the pan earlier than slicing.

Beneficial Merchandise

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Diet Data

Yield 15

Serving Measurement 1 slice

Quantity Per Serving

Energy 543Whole Fats 32gSaturated Fats 20gTrans Fats 0gUnsaturated Fats 9gLdl cholesterol 78mgSodium 172mgCarbohydrates 60gFiber 1gSugar 24gProtein 5g


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