Description
This Candy Corn Layered Cheesecake is a festive and visually stunning dessert perfect for fall and Halloween gatherings. It features a crunchy graham cracker crust layered with smooth, creamy cheesecake filling tinted in the classic candy corn colors—yellow, orange, and white. Lightly sweetened and rich, this no-bake cheesecake is chilled to set and offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup butter, melted
Filling
- 3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups heavy cream, whipped
- Food coloring (orange & yellow)
Instructions
- Make crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs thoroughly with the melted butter until combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a springform pan to create an even crust layer. Place the crust in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling.
- Make filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped heavy cream to lighten the filling and create a fluffy texture.
- Divide & color: Divide the cheesecake filling evenly into three separate bowls. Leave one portion plain white, add yellow food coloring to the second, and orange food coloring to the third. Mix each well to get vibrant colors without altering the texture.
- Layer: Spread the yellow-colored cheesecake layer evenly over the chilled crust and return to the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set slightly. Then, add the orange layer on top of the yellow and chill again briefly. Finally, spread the white layer on top. Chill the entire assembled cheesecake for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow all layers to fully set.
- Slice & serve: For clean and perfect layers when serving, dip a sharp knife in hot water, wipe it dry, and then slice through the cheesecake. Repeat warming the knife between slices to maintain sharp, smooth cuts.
Notes
- Use a springform pan for easy removal and neat presentation.
- Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks for best texture.
- Food coloring should be gel-based for vibrant color without adding extra liquid.
- Chilling time is crucial to ensure the layers are firm and distinct.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute part of the heavy cream with Greek yogurt, but texture might differ slightly.
