No Bake White Chocolate Shamrock Cheesecake
St. Patrick’s Day has always been one of those holidays where I find myself needing a themed dessert. I’ve always loved a good theme, and if I have a chance to do some holiday baking, even if it’s just a minor holiday, you know I’m not missing it. There’s also something about white chocolate and mint that just makes me happy. Thus, the Shamrock cheesecake was born.
This cheesecake is creamy, smooth, and perfectly minty, with just the right amount of white chocolate to make it feel a little extra special. The graham cracker crust adds the perfect crunch, balancing out the fluffy filling. It’s cool, refreshing, and honestly, just a great excuse to eat something green that isn’t a salad.
And the best part? No baking. Just mix, chill, and enjoy. The hardest part is waiting for it to set, but that’s what distractions (or a pre-dinner snack) are for. So if you need a St. Patrick’s Day treat that feels festive but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, this is it. It’s fun and simple and everything a minor holiday dessert should be! Happy baking!
With love,
Your Baker, Hannah
Ingredients Needed to Bake No-Bake Shamrock Cheesecake:
Graham cracker crumbs
Granulated sugar
Butter
Cream cheese
White chocolate chips
Heavy cream
Mint extract
Vanilla extract
Green food coloring
Ingredient Substitutions:
Graham cracker crumbs: Swap with crushed digestive biscuits or vanilla wafer crumbs.
White chocolate chips: Can be replaced with an equal amount of chopped white chocolate bars.
Mint extract: Peppermint extract can be used, but use half the amount as it’s more potent.
Heavy cream: If needed, half-and-half can work, but the texture may be slightly looser.
What Tools Do You Need to Bake No-Bake Shamrock Cheesecake?
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Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking No-Bake Shamrock Cheesecake:
Preheat the oven and mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into a pie pan and bake until golden. Let cool. Melt white chocolate with warm heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Whip additional cream to stiff peaks and set aside.
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the white chocolate mixture, followed by whipped cream, mint extract, vanilla extract, and green food coloring. Fold gently to keep the mixture light.
Pour the filling into the cooled crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least an hour to set. Whip heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks. Pipe or spread on the cheesecake before serving.
How to Prevent a Runny Cheesecake:
Ensure the whipped cream is properly beaten to stiff peaks before folding into the filling.
Let the cheesecake chill for at least an hour, preferably longer, to fully set.
Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture—low-fat varieties may not set as firmly.
How to Freeze or Store No-Bake Shamrock Cheesecake:
Refrigerate: Keep covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap (without the whipped cream), then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Recipe for No-Bake White Chocolate Shamrock Cheesecake:
No Bake Shamrock Cheesecake
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch pie pan.
- Using a flat-bottomed measuring cup, lightly spread and firmly press the crust mixture into the bottom of the pan, making sure to push the sides up over the edge of the pie pan by approximately one 1/2-inch, forming the graham cracker crust. This will be easiest to do while the mixture is still slightly warm from the melted butter.
- Once your crust is formed, place it into your oven and bake it for 7-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Once baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
- Begin by heating your 1/2 cup of heavy cream in the microwave until it is very warm and steaming (but not boiling).
- Once warm, place your white chocolate chips into a small bowl and pour the warm cream over the top of them. Allow them to sit without stirring them for 2 minutes.
- After the 2 minutes are up, gently whisk the mixture together until a smooth, silky ganache forms. Set aside.
- Next, into a small bowl, add the remaining 1 Cup of heavy cream and, using an electric hand mixer, mix on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- After you have whipped your cream, place your room-temperature cream cheese and granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl and mix on high speed until completely smooth.
- Once your cream cheese has been mixed, add in your white chocolate ganache and once again mix on high speed until the ingredients have all come together and no lumps remain.
- Next, add in your fresh-made whipped cream, mint extract, vanilla extract and green food coloring, and gently fold it all together with a rubber spatula, making sure that your mixture remains as fluffy as possible.
- Once your filling has been made, gently place it into your cooled graham cracker crust and smooth out the top into an even layer.
- Place your pie in the fridge to set for 1 hour.
- To make your fresh whipped cream, combine all of the ingredients above into a medium mixing bowl, and whip on high speed with your electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Once your pie has been in the fridge for 1 hour, remove it and pipe a decorative layer of whipped cream onto the top of your pie. Slice and serve!