This Summer Berry Frozen Dessert is an easy no bake cake recipe that makes for a refreshing summer treat. It’s a delicious, creamy cheesecake with a mix of fresh summer berries, graham cracker crust and crunchy crumb topping. A festive, red, white and blue dessert, perfect for a 4th of July celebration. For more red, white and blue dessert, check my No Bake Summer Berry Lasagna and No Bake Summer Berry Salad.
I added new step-by-step photos, extra tips for freezing and serving, plus tested the recipe with frozen berries. I also included an optional gelatin tip for cleaner slices and better hold during warm summer weather.
A Summer Berry Cheesecake Dessert Recipe
Summer Berry Frozen Dessert is completely no bake recipe.
First comes the crust. It’s just a simple mixture of graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter.
Then, there’s mouthwatering no bake cheesecake filling. The filling is made of cream cheese, lemon juice, sweetened condensed milk and it’s so creamy and smooth. It’s overloaded with mix of juicy fresh summer berries: blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. YUM!!!
Finally, there are a lot of delicious , buttery graham cracker crumb on top, too.
This Summer Berry Frozen Dessert recipe is one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever made. It has only few simple ingredients! And it’s done in literally 15 minutes.
Tips on Making a No Bake Cheesecake:
Just mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, and press half of the mixture in the bottom of the pan. Whip the cheesecake and fold in the fresh berries and pour it into the crust. Sprinkle the top with the remaining graham cracker crumbs and chill until set.
Helpful Tips
- Let the dessert sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing for the creamiest texture and easier serving.
- For easy removal and cleaner slices, line the pan with parchment paper before adding the crust.
- Be gentle when folding in the berries so they keep their shape and don’t streak the filling too much.
- Frozen berries can also be used if fresh berries are not in season. I tested the recipe with frozen berries during my latest update, and it still turned out delicious.
As I said, the filling is red, white and blue. Therefore, it’s perfect for your Fourth of July festivities. You can easily double the recipe and feed the crowd. See my collection of easy 4th of July dessert recipes. Bring this to a summer gathering or BBQ and you will be the star of any party.
One reader, Brandi, said: “I made this for the 4th, it was easy and a HUGE hit. I had kids who claimed they wouldn’t like it because it had fruit in it asking for seconds. This will be a new staple for my family for sure!”★★★★★
Since this is a frozen dessert, it should be stored in the freezer until ready to serve. That could be the problem during the summer if you want to take it to a picnic and you don’t have a freezer for storage.
- For cleaner slices and a firmer texture during hot summer weather, you can add a little dissolved gelatin to the filling before folding in the berries. This step is completely optional, but helpful if serving outdoors or at a party. See recipe notes for details.
FAQ
Yes, frozen berries work well in this recipe. I tested the updated version with frozen berries and it still turned out delicious. There’s no need to thaw them first.
Yes, this dessert is best stored in the freezer until ready to serve. For the creamiest texture, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing.
About 10–15 minutes at room temperature is usually enough to make slicing and serving easier.
Stored tightly covered, this dessert keeps well in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Yes! This is a great make-ahead summer dessert for BBQs, parties, and Fourth of July gatherings since it needs time to chill and set properly.
Summer Berry Frozen Dessert
Prep Time: 15 minutes- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 12 slices 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Description
This Summer Berry Frozen Dessert is an easy no bake cake recipe that makes for a refreshing summer treat. It’s a delicious, creamy cheesecake with a mix of fresh summer berries, graham cracker crust and crunchy crumb topping. A festive, red, white and blue dessert, perfect for a 4th of July celebration.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust and Crumb Topping:
- 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter-melted
Berry Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz. cream cheese-softened (use brick-style cream cheese)
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 1/2 cups fresh berries ( I used about 1 cup blueberries, 2/3 cup raspberries, and 2/3 cup diced strawberries)
- 2 teaspoons gelatin dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, see notes*)
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar. Then add melted butter and stir well until evenly moistened.
- Grease the bottom of a 9×9-inch dish with non-stick spray. Press almost 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the dish and chill in the freezer while making the filling.
- To make the filling, using an electric mixer set at medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the condensed milk a little at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl, as necessary. Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla. If using gelatin, stir in the dissolved gelatin mixture. Finally, fold in berries.
- Spread the filling over the chilled crust and sprinkle with the remaining crumbs.
- Freeze at least 5-6 hours or overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Keep leftovers in the freezer.
Notes
*For cleaner slices and a firmer texture during hot summer weather, dissolve 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin in 2 tablespoons cold water and let it bloom for a few minutes. Microwave briefly until melted, then stir it into the cheesecake filling before folding in the berries. This step is completely optional, but especially helpful if serving outdoors or at a party.
You can use frozen berries, and you don’t need to thaw them first.
19 comments
Your recipes look amazing, I have strawberries growing in my garden and I can’t wait for them to be ready as they taste delicious, I must compliment you on your food photography, the pictures look so scrumptious!
Thank yo so much Kate!
What is Graham cracker crumbs, we don’t have that in Scotland. What can I use instead?
Hi Morag, you ca use digestive biscuit crumbs or other cookie crumbs!
What if I don’t have an electronic mixer?
I was just wondering how many people this dessert serves?
Hi Abby, it serves 9
[…] All Christmas Easter Halloween July 4th Thanksgiving Valentine’s Day Holidays […]
[…] Recipe from OMG Chocolate Desserts. […]
Can you just refrigerate it or does it have to be frozen?
It’s so good! I’ve made it! Serves a lot of people! Probably 10!
Thanks Lisa!
Could you use frozen berries??
Hi Jackie, I haven’t tried but I think it won’t work.
[…] up a few last summer treats with your little ones such as No-Bake Frozen S’mores or Summer Berry Frozen Desert or No-Bake Watermelon […]
Hi, I was wondering how you store it once it has froze and set.
Wanting to make this for the fourth. If freeze overnight, how long do I take it out of freezer before serving.
I made this for the 4th, it was easy and a HUGE hit. I had kids who claimed they wouldn’t like it because it had fruit in it asking for seconds. This will be a new staple for my family for sure!
If I freeze overnight, how far in advance will I need take it out of the freezer before serving? And how long can this stay in the freezer?