Lucky Charms No Bake Cheesecake

If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and easy dessert that makes everyone smile, these Lucky Charms No Bake Cheesecake Bites are it. Creamy, fluffy cheesecake sits on a buttery shortbread crust with those colorful cereal marshmallows. They’re perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, or any spring gathering when you want something sweet, playful, and completely oven-free.

These little bites are rich, shareable, and always a hit, especially with kids (and kids at heart). And since they need to chill anyway, they’re a wonderful make-ahead treat for parties and holiday celebrations.

I’ve wanted to make something fun with these Lucky Charms marshmallows for many years now. Well, this year I finally set my mind to making something with them, and created this delicious Lucky Charms dessert. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day or Easter.

We appreciate you

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

St. Patrick’s Day recipes & Easter desserts

I love a good festive recipe! Check out my recipes for Leprechaun Muffins and Kiss of the Irish Coffee to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

And for easy Easter desserts, you’ll love Easter Hot Cocoa Bombs, Easter parfaits, and Easter Crescent Nests.

And for some festive decorations, learn How to Dye Easter Eggs with Food Coloring and make Carrot Easter Eggs.

How to make

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or Easter with these fun Lucky Charms No-Bake Cheesecake Bites (Easy Mini Cheesecakes for St. Patrick’s Day & Easter). The full recipe is below in the recipe card; I offer tips and tricks in the post for you.

ingredients

Let’s take a quick look at some of the ingredients.

Crust: This is a no-bake recipe even down to the crust. Mix crushed shortbread cookies with some coconut oil or butter, your choice. There’s no need to bake. It stays buttery and delicious, even once the cheesecake batter is spread into the crust. Any light-colored cookie like shortbreads, Lorna Doone (which is what I used in these pictures), Walker’s, golden Oreos cookie part only, animal crackers, graham crackers, Teddy Grahams, or even Lucky Charms cereal (without the marshmallows). Of course, each will have a slightly different flavor.

Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese rather than light or Neufchâtel, as reduced-fat versions may prevent the cheesecake from setting properly. I always recommend Philadelphia brand because it has good flavor, texture, and is always the highest quality. Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature (but it shouldn’t be warm or melted).  

Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract, or use vanilla bean paste (in the same amount) for those pretty flecks in your cheesecake.

Heavy cream: Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the same product, both contain at least 36% milk fat, and are essential for creating a light, fluffy cheesecake that sets properly. Be sure to use heavy cream (not regular whipping cream, which has only 30–35% milk fat), or the cheesecake may turn out soft or runny. If you only have lower-fat whipping cream, and want to use it, whip it to soft peaks first, then gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined.

Sour cream: I recommend full fat sour cream, it has the best texture and tangy taste, and helps balance the flavors.

Lucky charms marshmallows: Did you know you can buy official General Mills dehydrated Lucky Charms marshmallows? These are so fun!

Pan Options

• Mini cheesecakes (muffin tins): Perfect for parties and portion control.
• 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan: Press crust evenly and spread filling over top; slice into bars after chilling.
• 9-inch pie pan: Creates a traditional no-bake cheesecake that’s piled high
• 9.5-inch pie pan: A traditional no-bake cheesecake that’s a bit flatter
• 9×13-inch pan: Increase all ingredients by 50% to make them in a 9×13

Make the crust

The easiest way to make the crust is in a food processor. Just pop the cookie sin and pulse until fine crumbs. Then pulse in the coconut oil or butter. Press a rounded tablespoon of the crust mixture into the paper muffin cups.

You can also make the crust without a food processor by crushing the cookies in a ziptop bag with a rolling pin or heavy spoon. You may not get super even crumbs, but they will still taste great. Pour the crumbs into a large mixing bowl and mix in the oil or butter. Then press the crust into the muffin cups.

Make the filling

Lucky Charms cheesecake is super easy to make. Grab your hand-held electric mixer or stand mixer and mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth and creamy.

Add in the sour cream and cold heavy cream, and beat until thickened and fluffy. Gently fold in the Lucky Charms marshmallows. Do not overmix to prevent color bleeding (it’s still pretty even if this happens).

Spoon the filling into the muffin cups, and refrigerate the mini no bake cheesecake at least 4 hours or up to overnight to set up fully.

Use an offset spatula to help get them out of the muffin tins, and garnish with additional Lucky Charms marshmallows just before serving. A sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles is fun too.

Pro tips:

• Press crust firmly so it doesn’t crumble when unwrapped.
• Room temperature cream cheese is essential to avoid lumps.
• Don’t overmix after adding marshmallows or the colors may bleed.
• For ultra-clean edges, chill overnight.
• Garnish just before serving to prevent marshmallows from softening.

Storage

Ensure the No bake cheesecake bites are not left at room temperature for more than 2 hours to maintain safety and quality. 

Store No-bake cheesecake for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The crust texture may soften slightly after 3-4 days.

If you need longer storage, it can be frozen for up to 3 months, individually wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Other no-bake desserts

I love the ease of a great no bake dessert. If you do too, be sure to check out my Mermaid Cheesecake, Blonde Chocolate Ganache Tart, and Butter mint candies.

Let’s keep in touch

If you like seeing my recipes subscribe via email in the upper right.
Or, connect with me on your favorite social media channel for recipes, photos, & much more:
Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!
And find my shop on Amazon for recommendations on cool tools

If you try this recipe,
please come back & leave a comment below letting us know how it goes.
Share a picture & tag @lifecurrents on Instagram.
Or you can upload a “tried it” photo (I would love to see)
via the pin.