Today, I’m coming at ya with this AMAZING Rice Krispy Treat No Bake Cheesecake. And it’s a doozy!
So. I’m struggling.
Summertime’s in full swing in Sacramento and to call it ‘sweltering’ would be an understatement. Girl, it’s HOT here. Like denim shorts fusing to your skin hot. Like sweating profusely on a morning walk hot. Like if you turn on the oven I’m going to scream at you hot.
So no bake treats? We need them desperately.
I’m on a mission to create as many no-bake treats as I can this summer to avoid turning on my oven as much as possible. Of course I’m still going to bake traditional goodies like cookies, regular cheesecakes and cupcakes, but I want to save those for days when I’m feeling ambitious and somewhat sadistic.
Thus, this wonderful No-Bake Cheesecake was born!
I have a very similar version in my new cookbook, Out of the Box Desserts, which comes out in August… or which should be arriving on your doorstep shortly if you ordered from QVC! The cheesecake base is the same, but the crusts and toppings are a little different. Whether you make my cookbook’s version or this version, promise me you’ll make one or the other – they’re simply too good not to enjoy!
And everyone will flip out when they see that the crust is made out of a giant Rice Krispy Treat. I meeeeann… you are so welcome.
Of course, this cheesecake is only for die-hard RKT fans like myself. If you’re not a superfan of the stuff, then you may want to pass. This is pure, unadulterated RKT goodness.
So let’s break it down for ya. You make a standard batch of Rice Krispy Treats, except instead of pressing it into a square or rectangular pan, you’ll press it into a greased 9 or 10″ springform pan. Springform pans are also traditionally used for cheesecake, and it is necessary to help pop the crust out when it’s finished setting. Let the crust set in the pan for a couple minutes while you prepare the glorious marshmallow cheesecake filling.
For the filling, simply beat together some cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla – standard stuff. Beat in some marshmallow creme (and try not to groan audibly) and then fold in some Cool Whip. Now, whenever I make a Cool Whip recipe, all you naysayers come out of the woodwork, but PLEASE, use real deal Cool Whip. Real whipped cream isn’t as stable as Cool Whip is, and your cheesecake won’t stay as high, fluffy and airy with anything other than Cool Whip. So yeah, blame science.
Then, pour that wonderous marshmallow cheesecake goodness into your RKT crust. Garnish with whipped cream (there’s where you can use real-deal whipped cream) and plenty of stacked and cubed RKTs for garnish to really drive the point home that you mean business and are not to be messed with.
And that’s that! Fluffy, light, airy, marshmallowy goodness that sits inside of a giant, gooey, crispy RKT crust. The end.
*adapted from my Toasted Marshmallow S’mores No Bake Cheesecake in my book, Out of the Box Desserts
Rice Krispy Treat No Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients
- FOR CRUST:
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 (10 oz pkg) miniature marshmallows
- FOR FILLING:
- 1 (8 oz pkg) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (7 oz jar) marshmallow creme/fluff
- 1 (8 oz pkg) Cool Whip, thawed
- FOR GARNISH:
- Whipped cream
- Cubed & prepared Rice Krispy Treat Squares I used the ones from the box
Instructions
- Liberally grease a 9" or 10" springform pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add in the Rice Krispies cereal. Set aside momentarily. In a medium saucepan, melt the salted butter and marshmallows together over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereal and toss until totally combined. Pour the cereal into the prepared pan and, using a greased glass cup, press the cereal mixture into the pan, forming a base and sides. Put aside to set, about 20 minutes.
- While crust sets, make your filling. In a large bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the marshmallow creme until smooth. Lastly, fold in the Cool Whip by hand until combined.
- Spread the filling mixture into the crust, smoothing out the top. Garnish with whipped cream piped along the perimeter of the cheesecake and top with stacked prepared & cubed Rice Krispy Treats in the center. Chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge before cutting into slices.
This cheesecake is SO creamy, decadent and delicious while still being light and fluffy. It’s sure to make a great impression at any backyard BBQ, party, or even a random Monday night! 🙂
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
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Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
This is SO stinking cute. Rice Krispy treat as a crust!! Why didn’t I think of that it seems so obviously brilliant!! And cheesecake come on my fave!!
thedomesticrebel says
Giiiirl, I knew you’d love this one!
Donna says
I thought that I would try incase the Cheesecake in Rice Krispie treats. Slice it open and BAM! Surprise in the middle. Definitely going to make it because it has my two favorite components in it, cheesecake and Krispie treats!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
This is SO much fun!!! I love Rice Krispie Treat Crust, I made a crust like this recently and it’s just perfect for no-bake recipes!
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks a bunch, Julianne!
Melissa says
Could I use powdered sugar instead of regular sugar?
thedomesticrebel says
Yes!
Elizabeth Stolarik Rieger says
How about honey because I am diabetic?
thedomesticrebel says
Sure!
Cathy Trochelman says
This is seriously genius, Hayley! It NEEDS to happen for one of our many summer birthdays!!!
thedomesticrebel says
I agree! It’d be perfect for birthdays!
hanna says
how would you be able to make the cubed rice krispies on top? just make like a small batch and then cut them?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Hanna, yes, just make a smaller batch of Rice Krispie treats and cut them into small cubes. I used prepared Rice Krispie Treats for the topping (ones I bought at the store).
connie jones says
I see this for Father Day…..thank you
Alberta gough says
I think this would be amazing frozen or substitute ice cream for cheesecake.
thedomesticrebel says
Alberta, this would be wonderful with ice cream inside!
AlanaSkye says
Yes! But could also just use cool whip and a fruit flavored yogurt, mixed together in the center and frozen.
Lael says
I am definitely making this for my nephews when they visit next week. They are going to love it!
I’ll be making it again at the end of July for a special birthday girl.
Thank you for sharing!
thedomesticrebel says
Lael, enjoy!
Christine says
After the initial 2 hour chilling period, does it need to be stored in the refrigerator?
thedomesticrebel says
Because it has raw cream cheese and Cool Whip in it, yes, it does need to be stored in the fridge. The 2 hour chilling period just helps the cheesecake to set completely so it’s not a gloopy mess.
Christine says
Thanks!
kasey says
Do the rice krispies get soggy after being refrigerated?
thedomesticrebel says
Nope! They are nice and crisp.
Carolshmcafee says
Do the rice krispies get too hard when they are refrigerated?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Carol! Not as much as you’d think! I feel like the cheesecake kind of helps keep them crisp and soft without being soggy.
Kris says
This may literally be heaven on a plate! I am a cheesecake addict! I can’t wait to give this one a try!
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks a bunch, Kris!
Kathleen says
Could I do this in a 9×13 if I don’t have spring form?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Kathleen! Do you have an 8×8 or 9×9 square pan? If so, I’d use that and line it with foil so it’s easy to remove – just prepare the recipe as normal. You *could* do it in a 9×13 pan, but you would want to make a little more Rice Krispies and a little more cheesecake… Approximately, one batch of the RKTs plus an additional 1/2 batch. For the cheesecake, you would then need 3 packages of cream cheese, 1 full cup of sugar, 2 (7 oz) jars of marshmallow fluff and 16 oz of Cool Whip to essentially double the cheesecake recipe so it wouldn’t be so thin when spread in a 9×13 pan. Hope this helps!
pam roever says
If one batch of cheesecake takes 1-8oz cream cheese then why would doubling it take 3? I am making this for Monday . I am going to use a 9×13 with just the regular recipe of rice krispie crust but I am going to double the filling.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Pam! Because a 9×13 pan is much larger than a springform pan and you want the cheesecake to be thicker, which is why you need 3 packages of cream cheese 🙂
Wendy says
Can you substitute cheesecake filling for cool whip as we don’t have cool whip here in New Zealand, and what is marshmallow fluff , never seen it here in New Zealand;
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Wendy! So Cool Whip is a very stabilized whipped cream-like product. In its place, you can substitute 2 cups of whipped cream! As for the marshmallow fluff, do you have marshmallows there? It’s essentially melted and smooth marshmallow spread. If you have marshmallow there, melt some marshmallows until smooth, let them cool for a few minutes, and add in the melted marshmallows. Hope this helps!
Kristell says
Was just going to ask same question as in the UK thank you.
Ian says
You can get Fluff here in the UK, they sell it in Tesco’s, but never seen cool whip
thedomesticrebel says
Ian, thanks for your suggestion about finding the marshmallow fluff! As far as a Cool Whip substitute, if you can’t find stabilized whipped cream, use regular whipped cream. 1 (8 oz) package of Cool Whip equals 2 cups.
Julie says
Does anyone know if you can use Philadelphia already made cheese cake mix. I don’t have a beater.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Julie! I have not tried this recipe with prepared cheesecake mix so I can’t say for sure. If it has eggs in it, I wouldn’t use it as this is a no-bake cheesecake. However, if it doesn’t, I’d omit the sugar if the cheesecake mix is sweetened and use as directed. Hope it turns out for you!
mrss0upcan says
try the whipped cream cheese 🙂
thedomesticrebel says
Love this idea!
Rett says
Philadelphia Cheesecake filling says ready to eat, no cooking involved. I am going to try this with the ready made filling for a dessert auction next week.
Deb I. says
I wish I had thought of this. The only thing I did was make Bologna bowls and filled them with scrambled eggs and cheese. (Just put a whole slice of Bologna in a frying pan,let it cook for a couple of minutes, then turn it over and finish cooking it. Carefully put your Bologna bowls on a plate or in a cereal bowl and fill it with the eggs and cheese. Kids will love this.
thedomesticrebel says
Deb, that sounds awesome!!
Julie says
Can you use already made Philadelphia cheesecake?
thedomesticrebel says
Julie, I have not tried using the prepared cheesecake. If you do use it, I would omit the sugar since the cheesecake mix usually comes pre-sweetened. Just make sure there are no egg products in the cheesecake mix – if there are, it could be unsafe to eat.
Tiffany says
Has anyone tried using chocolate hazelnut spread instead of marshmallow fluff?
thedomesticrebel says
That would be amazing, Tiffany!
KristyS says
I added Nutella to cheesecake mix along with amaretto!
Dana says
I made this for the 4th of July with the Red White and Blue Rice Krispies. It was so festive and yummy!
thedomesticrebel says
How fun! I love the idea of using the colored Krispies!
mrss0upcan says
I am definitely making this for the next party I go to–and the crust possibilities?! Adding peanut butter or using fruity pebbles….this could be a new party favorite for sure!
thedomesticrebel says
I love your ideas for crusts! I’m making a Fruity Pebble one soon!
MISTY HENSON says
I am gluten intolerant so I am always looking for a pie crust. I can’t use Rice Krispy brand because of the malt but I can use Cocoa Pebbles or Fruity Pebbles. Thanks for the ideas!!
Kelli says
That was fantastic!!!! Especially during the hot days… Such a perfect treat!! Love it!!!!!
thedomesticrebel says
So glad you loved it, Kelli!! xoxo!!
Dianne Soares says
Hi,
This is so cute! I’m making it now. I don’t know when I’m supposed to remove the cheesecake from the spingform pan. Anyone?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Dianne! Once the cheesecake is assembled in the pan, leave it in there for about an hour or so to set up, then gently release it from the pan. Hope this helps!
sharon roof says
what if you don’t have a springform pan?n thank you
thedomesticrebel says
Sharon, I recommend using a springform pan to ensure the cheesecake is easy to cut. You can try using a really-well greased 9″ round cake pan, but I have not tested this cheesecake recipe in that type of pan.
Kat Shepard says
I wonder if you could make chocolate RKT crust. If so what would the recipe be for that?
thedomesticrebel says
Kat, absolutely! I have a recipe for that in my new cookbook, Out of the Box Desserts!
Anne says
Which recipe in the book uses the chocolate rkt crust?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Anne – in my first book, Out of the Box Desserts, it’s the toasted marshmallow cheesecake recipe!
Anne says
Thanks!!!
Anne says
Ps-I just ordered the book!
physics4all says
Do you think this would work as RKT cheesecake bars? Do you think the cheesecake filling would hold together if I make a RKT crust on the bottom of a 9×13 pan and then topped with the filling, chilled, and cut into bars?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi there! If anything, I would try to form a little barrier “crust” around the edges of the pan to hold the cheesecake in. If the cheesecake isn’t flush with the pan, I think it’d be perfect! Just make sure the cheesecake is sufficiently chilled before cutting into bars 🙂
Meg says
Will it be okay if made the day before or does it need to be made day of for best results?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Meg! I think it should be okay to make the day before. The crust may not be as crisp as if it would be made the day of.
Meg says
Sorry didnt mean to post twice, I didnt see that my first one went through! Thank you so very much 🙂 excited to make this for tomorrow to celebrate an anniversary with my boyfriend!
thedomesticrebel says
Woohoo! Happy Anniversary!
Meg says
Can I prep it a day before serving or is it best day of?
Amber says
Hello! I’m using a larger springform pan (I believe it’s 12-13″) — how much should I add to the ingredient amounts? I’d hate to wind up with a thin cheesecake!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Amber! Sorry I’m seeing this now, but you may want to double the crust and filling to be safe!
Amanda says
Do you think I culd make this 2 days in advance and it still taste fresh?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Amanda, I would make it the day of or if needed, the day before. I’d worry that the crust would lose its crispness.
Julia says
Probably a silly question, but it looks like this is gluten-free…is it? We have a friend who is allergic to gluten and this looks like it might be an awesome dessert for him.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Julia! Not a silly question! I think this could easily be made GF if it isn’t already. For starters, make sure the cereal and marshmallows are GF. I’m pretty sure they are, but I would double check on the packages, as I would with the rest of the ingredients. Hope this helps!
MISTY HENSON says
I am gluten intolerant. Last time I checked Rice Krispy brand is not gluten free because of the malt flavoring they put in it. Cocoa Pebbles & Fruity Pebbles are gluten free.
Michelle says
This can absolutely be made gluten free, but not with Kelloggs rice krispies. Instead, go with the wal-mart brand bagged krispy rice cereal that says gluten free right on the bag (Malt O’Meal I think….) Ive made rice krispies with these tons of time and cant wait to try this recipe too
kim says
Made for my boyfriend and neices and nephew tonight. The response was EPIC. Easy recipe. Very inexpensive to make. Will keep this in the books
thedomesticrebel says
Kim, so so happy to hear how much of a hit it was with your boyfriend, nieces and nephews!
Ann Hart says
Ok so my god daughter sent me a pic on fb and asked me to try it ,.. I did … I just finished and my question is when do it release it from the pan.,.2 hours?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Ann! Yes, give it a couple hours to set in the fridge!
Roxie says
The recipe is super easy. It doesn’t take 2 hours and 30 minutes to make. At the most it takes 25 minutes to prep and if you want it nice and cold refrigerate for 4 hours. We found this recipe to be too sweet so we modified it and it came out perfectly. This recipe is a great idea for birthdays or events or just for a special treat on a hot day.
Sapir says
Would this work with a non dairy cream cheese ?
thedomesticrebel says
I have not tried that, but I assume so!
Sapir says
Hi ! Would this work for a non dairy cream cheese ?
Carrie says
If you add gelatin to the whipped cream, it stays just as stable as the cool whip. That’s what we do in industrial kitchens. That’s why all those fancy little dollops don’t break. I personally would rather do the extra step.
Rachel Laufenberg says
I just made this for a party tonight. If was easy to make but I feel the filling is way too sweet. I would make it again and not use all the sugar. Thank you for the idea!
Catheryn McDermott says
This was very delicious. Great recipe thank you for sharing. It made a great birthday cake for someone who loves cheesecake. How long does this stay good for in the fridge?
Stephanie L Reed says
I’m making this for Sunday Dinner at church, look good. Rice Krispy Treat are my flavor
Jeanine says
Would Dream Whip possibly work instead of Cool Whip? I’m pretty sure it’s more stable than regular whipped cream, but tastes better than Cool Whip, since it’s made with real dairy.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Jeanine, I would imagine it would work!
Tosha Greenfiel says
When do you take it out of the pan?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Tosha, you’ll want to wait until it’s fully set – 2 hours should be fine!
Billy says
Plan to try with cocoa krispies and add mini chocolate to the filling
Sierra Breckenridge says
Hi
What does it mean by fold in by hand ??? For the cool whip
Thanks!!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Sierra! That just means do not use an electric mixer for this. You want to fold the Cool Whip in gently so it doesn’t start to deflate. A mixer could be too intense and cause the whipped topping to lose its height. Hope that helps!
Linda Cassidy says
Thank you. This popped up in our facebook feed a few weeks ago and we saved the recipe. I tested it out last weekend and shared the experience on my blog. I gave credit back to you and this post. What an awesome treat
Druish says
The recipe is awesome. But the sugar intake alone is crazy. (I made this tonight) I have such a sugar rush right now. I might need to do a few adjustments. But over all. I love the RKT’s for the crust.
SheiLa Bradley says
I made this for s party and it was s big hit! Instead of rice crispy treats on top, I put lemon curd and then decorated with fresh whipped cream…so yummy.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Sheila! Love the idea of the lemon curd!!
Joe says
I used brown sugar, added tsp of pumpkin spice, you end up with pumpkin pie look and taste for Thanksgiving. awesome.
Kathryn says
This was another fun no-bake recipe! Hayley you’re a genius! I made it the night before and stored it in an air tight cake thing. At least I thought it was air tight. When we ate it for my daughters bday dessert the next night, the Krispie crust was really chewy. Still yummy though. I would recommend making it day-of if you have time. It’s a fairly quick recipe 🙂
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks so much, Kathryn!