If you're looking for a quick dessert, try this Cool Whip and Cheesecake Pudding recipe. Made with a buttery graham cracker crust and delicious creamy no-bake cheesecake filling.
I chose to top these cute mason jar desserts with a cherry pie filling, however, feel free to top them with your favorite or even fresh fruit.
Check out one of our favorite cheesecake pudding recipes that's sure to please everyone!
What I love most about this Cool Whip and Cheesecake Pudding recipe is that it's another easy dessert.
When most people think about a no-bake cheesecake recipe, the first image that comes to mind is the photo above. Cherry pie filling as a topping adds a little bit of a tartness to the sweetness of the cheesecake filling.
Here are a few of my favorite no bake desserts you may also enjoy: Oreo Pudding Pie Recipe, Blueberry Cheesecake Pudding, 16 Jello Cheesecake Recipes and my No-Bake Cheesecake Cup Recipe.
Table of Contents
- Adding Pudding Mix to Cheesecake
- No-Bake Desserts
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Recipe Ingredients
- Recipe Substitutions and Variation
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Pudding
- How to Fold in Cool Whip
- Layers in a Mason Jar
- Before You Begin!
- Prep Ahead Tips
- Storing Tips
- Recipe FAQ
- Try these recipes next...
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Adding Pudding Mix to Cheesecake
This no-bake cheesecake pudding recipe is different than other recipes because I'm also adding pudding mix to the cheesecake mixture. You can use either any flavor of pudding mix, but I'm using cheesecake pudding mix for this recipe.
No-Bake Desserts
No-bake desserts are exactly what they sound like – desserts that don't require baking. They usually consist of a few simple ingredients, often combined together in a bowl and then chilled until set.
From classic pudding recipes to layered cakes and refrigerator pies, no-bake desserts require little time and effort, making them a great option for busy home cooks!
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Recipe Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Cream Cheese Pudding Ingredients
- Cream cheese - at room temperature
- Instant pudding mix - for this recipe I used cheesecake pudding mix. If you can't find cheesecake pudding mix, you can use regular vanilla pudding mix. You could even use a sugar-free pudding mix.
- Powdered sugar
- Milk - I used 2% milk, whole milk would be great. I would not use 1% or fat free milk.
- Vanilla extract
- Cool Whip Topping - make sure it's defrosted.
- Cherry Pie Filling - the star of this recipe!
- One 3.4 oz box of Jell-O Cheesecake Artificially Flavored Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix
Graham Cracker Crust Ingredients
- Graham Cracker Crumbs - for this recipe I chose to use the crumbs instead of crushing graham crackers into crumbs.
- Sugar
- Melted butter
- Convenient and ready to use, Keebler Graham Cracker Crumbs are the perfect addition to your favorite dessert recipes
Recipe Substitutions and Variation
Heavy Whipping Cream - you could make homemade whipped cream to add to the pudding mix if you prefer that taste.
Blueberry Pie Filling- try another flavor of pie filling.
Fresh Fruit - add fresh fruit to the top instead of the canned pie filling like I did with my Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding Recipe.
Check out my other Cheesecake Pudding Recipes on my website.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup melted butter, and sugar. Press about 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the bottom of each mason jar, reserving some for garnish. Set aside.
Prepare the Cheesecake Pudding
Step 2: In your mixer, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Switch to the whisk attachment (if you have one) and add the pudding mix and milk.
How to Fold in Cool Whip
Step 3: Allow the pudding/cream cheese mixture to set until just firm. Since we're using instant pudding mix, this takes about 5 minutes. Finally, fold in the container of Cool Whip.
Layers in a Mason Jar
Step 4: Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of each jar. Top with the cheesecake pudding and chill for up to 2 hours before adding the cherry pie filling.
Before You Begin!
If you give this a try, please leave a review and star rating! This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Prep Ahead Tips
You can prep-ahead this recipe up to three days in advance for when you need to serve them. Follow the directions up to the step of adding the pie filling. Wait until you're ready to serve them and then add the cherry pie filling or fresh fruit.
Storing Tips
Refrigerator: Store the Cool Whip Cheesecake Pudding in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezer: You could also freeze the cheesecake pudding cups without the topping for up to 3 months. If you are using the mason jars, cover them with the lids and place in the freezer. Or wrap with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Recipe FAQ
To view the answer, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
The easiest way to defrost Cool Whip Whipped Topping is to place the entire container inside another container filled with cold water. Let it remain in the cold water for about 30 minutes and the Cool Whip should be defrosted enough to use in the recipe.
Try these recipes next...
📖 Recipe Card
Cool Whip and Cheesecake Pudding
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Pudding
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 cups milk
- 2 - 3.4 ounce cheesecake instant pudding mix 4 servings size each box
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 12 ounces Cool Whip Whipped Topping thawed
- 10 ounces canned cherry pie filling
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¼ cup sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Graham Cracker Crumbs
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar into a mixing bowl. Stir together until everything is combined.
- Spoon about 4 tablespoons of the crumbs into the bottom of the mason jars.
- Then using the tart tamper, gently press the crumbs into the bottom of the mason jars.
- Set aside while you prepare the cheesecake pudding mixture.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Pudding
- In the bowl of the KitchenAid mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream together the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla and continue to mix until combined and smooth.
- Switch out the paddle attachment for the whisk attachment, if you have one, and then add in the pudding mix followed by the milk.
- Allow the pudding/cream cheese mixture to set until just firm. Since we're using instant pudding mix, this takes about 5 minutes.
- Finally, fold in the container of Cool Whip.
- Place crumb mixture in the bottom of the jar and compress using the tart tamper. This is the base of the cheesecake.
- Next add the cheesecake pudding mixture.
- Set the jars in the refrigerator and allow to chill for up to 2 hours.
- Remove from the refrigerator and add the cherry pie filling.
Anita says
These were very easy to make, they turned out nice and fluffy. The graham cracker bottom made them extra delicious. I used cherry pie filling for the topping. I wouldn’t change a things.
Lois says
Thank you for the 5-star rating!
Heather Reid says
How many jars can 1 recipe of this fill please? TY 🙂
Lois says
In the recipe card it says 8-12 servings. I hope this helps!
Colleen B.~Tx. says
No graham crackers to make the crust so used pkg. of Oreo's in place of. I just dumped the whole Oreo cookies in food processor and pulsed up the cookies to a fine crumb mixture.
Used the little - wide mouth 4 oz. jars.
After putting on the the fruit topping, ( had some with cherry, some with apple and some with blueberry) I topped it all off with a mini Oreo cookie.
Have even made this in them small, individual store bought pie crusts
Lois says
Glad you were able to make the recipe your own!
Lisa says
Can I make this with just cheesecake pudding?
Lois says
Without the topping? Of course!!! Thank you for visiting!
Jessica L Jolin says
Can i use smaller jars if i want. or plastic winde cups for less clean up
Lois says
Of course! You could even layer everything in a rectangle serving dish and scoop out the dessert onto serving plates. Thank you for visiting.
Dottie says
Do you use 1/4 butter with gramham cracker crumbs and 1 whole stick with cream cheese?
Lois says
No, the recipe calls for ¼ cup butter; softened to be combined with the cream cheese.
Then you combine the melted 1/2 cup (1 stick) with the graham crackers for the crust. Hope this helps you out! Thank you for visiting.
stephanie says
Step 4?? Please edit for clarification of butter usage!
Lois says
Recipe has been adjusted. Thank you!
stephanie says
I had the same question...
Lois says
Recipe has been adjusted. Thank you!
Pat says
What can you use instead of a paddle to do the mixing. Thank you
Lois says
I made this recipe using the paddle attachment to my KitchenAid mixer. You could also use a traditional hand-held mixer! I hope you try the recipe and enjoy it as much as we do.
Sharon Fields says
Made these the last 2 years for thanksgiving and they have been a big hit. I let folks put the cherries on themselves when they eat them since we travel to our big dinner and need to have a top on the jars. The kids especially love them. Adults are always asking if they can take one home to have later. The 8 ox jars are just the right size for after a big dinner. Mine always makes enough for 12 jars full with some filling left over. Thanks for a great recipe that can be molded into a lot of cool variations.
Lois says
Thank you for the great comment! Love when my readers make a recipe their own like you did!
Helene says
I can’t find cheesecake pudding…. I found cheesecake filling, is that the same?
Lois says
Hi Helene, you definitely want the cheesecake pudding: 2 - 3.4 ounce size cheesecake instant pudding mix; 4 servings size each box. You can use the regular or even the sugar free will work fine. Thank you!
Natasha says
Where do I find the recipe for the cherry topping please ?
Lois says
The full recipe is available once you create a FREE account with GROW.
Teresa Hervey says
What jar size do you use?
Lois says
I used 8 ounce size mason jars for the photos shown in this recipe post. Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Jan Ile says
I hit jump to recipe and there is this unlock ad that covers the recipe card. I can’t remove the ad. Any ideas? I would love to have this recipe for our Community share meal.
Lois says
Jan, you need to sign up for a FREE account. As soon as you do that, you'll be able to see all the recipes and SAVE them. Thank you!
Missy Decker says
I scrolled up and down this article to find the 'recipe card' or the exact measurement but to no avail. So frustrating. It looks delicious but I can't find the recipe!!
Lois says
The recipe card is at the bottom of the post. Did you click on the "Jump to Recipe Card" button at the top of the post? That will bring you to the section right above the card. I hope you try again!
Jennifer says
I cannot find the 3.4 oz cheesecake pudding mixes. I can only find d 1oz. Would I have to use 6 of these boxes?
Lois says
I have never seen 1 ounce size of pudding boxed mixes. Perhaps look for vanilla pudding mix?
Jennifer says
So vanilla would work just as well?
Lois says
Yes, vanilla pudding would work in place of the cheesecake pudding.
Debbie Yackanicz says
I found this at Walmart.
Allison says
Wonder if this would work with a homemade cherry filling, I have a recipe that is supposed to be for like turnovers but I use it in another homemade recipe (using a bannock dough rolled thin) .... would possibly cut costs since I picked the cherries myself and could control the sugar content as well
Lois says
I think the homemade cherry filling would work for this recipe too! Enjoy your day.
Mary says
Being diabetic, what can be subbed for the powder sugar? Maybe equal amount of a sugar substitute would work.
Lois says
You could try the Swerve powdered sugar substitute?
Nina says
You can sub powder sugar for swerve confectioner sugar. They also make swerve brown sugar and there is a splenda brown sugar
Lois says
Thank you!
Janet says
Do you still add graham crackers even though you use Oreo Cookies instead of the cherry topping ??
Lois says
This recipe doesn't call for Oreo cookies at all. You might be referring to my Oreo Cheesecake Pudding Recipe that does use Oreo cookies and Oreo cookie crumbs. You can find that recipe here: https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/oreo-cheesecake-pudding/
Mallory Brown says
How many jars will I need?
Lois says
This recipe will make between 8 and 12 servings. You need 8 - 12 8 ounce mason jars. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Shantell says
Can you make this without using mason jars but in a big glass dish?
Lois says
I think that would be great too! Thank you for visiting.
Josie Mendez says
Can you make these in plastic cups
Lois says
Yes! Thank you for visiting.
Kathy. Sparks says
How many jars will this recipe make?
Lois says
This recipe will make between 8 to 12 servings. I used 8 ounce size mason jars.
Sherry Webb says
Thanks for sharing this; can’t wait to make
Lois says
Thank you!!!
Chelsey says
I have eaten something similar and they were so good! Can’t wait to try these! Have you ever tried making these and freezing them to use later?
Lois says
Thank you!!!
Gwen says
I cannot find the Cool Whip and cheesecake pudding recipe. I see the list of the main ingredients all the directions, but the actual amount of ingredients. I cannot find that list.
Lois says
It's available once you create an account with Grow...which is just like Pinterest only better. You get to save recipes from other websites as well!
Janet says
These sound wonderful, and simple too.
Barry says
Thanks!
This recipe is not only fast and simple; It's Mouth wateringly Delicious!
Lois says
What a great comment. Thank you!