Name: No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 2 (4.4 oz) packages Walkers Shortbread Gingerbread Men cookies, plus more for garnish; ½ cup butter, melted; 8 ounces white chocolate; 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract; Zest from one orange; 1 tablespoon orange juice; 2 cups heavy cream; 2 ½ cups mixed berries: blackberries, raspberries, cherries; ¼ cup red wine or cranberry juice; 2 tablespoons sugar; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon cardamom; ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon ginger; Pinch of salt; Zest from one orange; Juice from one orange; Whipped cream; Sugared cranberries; Thyme or rosemary sprigs

If you’re looking for that show-stopping dessert that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to make, you’ve got to try this No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out — creamy white chocolate cheesecake layered over buttery shortbread crumbs with warm spiced mulled fruit on top. It’s like cozy winter magic in every bite, perfect for impressing guests without breaking a sweat in the kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Elegance: No baking means less fuss and more time to relax or entertain.
Flavour Explosion: The mulled fruit brings warm spice contrasts beautifully with the creamy white chocolate.
Versatile Serving: Works as individual portions or a stunning single cheesecake for sharing.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it in advance for stress-free hosting and fabulous leftovers.

The image shows five glass cups each with three visible layers: a rough crumbly light brown base, a smooth white creamy middle, and a glossy deep red berry topping with whole sugared berries and small sprigs of green herbs. A smiling gingerbread cookie stands stuck in each cup on top. The cups are set on a white marble table, with a white plate holding more gingerbread cookies and a bowl with extra berry topping in the background. Silver spoons rest on white cloth napkins near the front, with scattered sugared berries and blackberries adding color and texture around them. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit, White Chocolate Cheesecake, No-Bake Cheesecake, Mulled Fruit Dessert, Winter Holiday Cheesecake

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together for a perfect balance of rich, creamy cheesecake and warmly spiced fruit. I recommend seeking out quality white chocolate and fresh berries for the best results, and keeping your cream cheese at room temperature to avoid lumps.

Flat lay of fresh blackberries, ripe raspberries, glossy dark cherries, whole Walkers Shortbread Gingerbread Men cookies shaped like little gingerbread men, smooth blocks of white chocolate, a small mound of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of melted golden butter, fresh cream cheese blocks, a small white bowl with vibrant orange juice, bright orange zest curls, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of red wine, assorted whole spices including cinnamon sticks, whole cardamom pods, fresh nutmeg with a grater, a small white bowl of ground ginger, a pinch of salt in a small white bowl, sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary, and whole uncracked brown eggs all arranged with perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic bowls and dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit, White Chocolate Cheesecake, No-Bake Cheesecake, Mulled Fruit Dessert, Winter Holiday Cheesecake

Walkers Shortbread Gingerbread Men: Their sturdy crispness makes the perfect buttery crust with a hint of festive spice.
Butter: Melted butter binds the crumb base and adds richness—unsalted lets you control the salt better.
White Chocolate: Use good-quality white chocolate for smooth melting and clean sweetness.
Cream Cheese: Softened to room temp for an ultra-smooth filling—avoid cold cream cheese or you’ll get lumps.
Powdered Sugar: Blends easily for that silky cheesecake texture.
Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds bursts of real vanilla flavor, but extract works just fine too.
Orange Zest and Juice: Fresh citrus brightens the cheesecake and complements the mulled fruit perfectly.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into stiff peaks to lighten the cheesecake and give it that dreamy mousse feel.
Mixed Berries (Blackberries, Raspberries, Cherries): Fresh or frozen, they soak up the mulled spices brilliantly.
Red Wine or Cranberry Juice: Red wine gives authentic mulled warmth, but cranberry juice works great for a non-alcoholic version.
Sugar and Spices (Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Ginger, Salt): The fragrant mull—be generous for full-bodied flavor.
Optional Garnishes: Whipped cream, sugared cranberries, and fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs add a festive touch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe is. You can easily tweak it depending on what you have in the pantry or your dietary needs. Plus, switching up the fruit lets you enjoy it year-round.

Dairy-Free Version: I once swapped cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative and coconut cream for the heavy cream—delicious and great for friends with allergies.
Fruit Variations: Try pears and cranberries in mulled apple cider during fall for a twist my family went wild over.
Spice Adjustments: If you’re not a big fan of strong spices, reducing cardamom or ginger helps balance the warmth while keeping flavor.
Chocolate Twist: Adding some lemon zest to the white chocolate mixture brought a fresh zing I hadn’t expected but adored.

How to Make No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe

Step 1: Create That Perfect Shortbread Crust

Start by pulsing the shortbread cookies in a food processor until they’re fine crumbs—this is where I first discovered that using shortbread gingerbread cookies adds a delightful little festive note. Pour them into a bowl and mix in melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand. This crumb base sets a sturdy, buttery foundation that holds up perfectly under the creamy cheesecake.

Step 2: Melt and Cool the White Chocolate

Using a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl over simmering water), gently melt the white chocolate—be patient, it’s delicate and you don’t want it to seize. Once melted, let it cool to room temperature before mixing it into the cream cheese. Trust me, adding warm chocolate too soon can ruin the texture.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cheesecake Filling

In your stand mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice until silky smooth — about three minutes. Gradually add the cooled white chocolate, then fold in whipped heavy cream in thirds. The folding keeps the texture light and airy without losing volume. I learned this trick the hard way after over-beating and ending up with denser cheesecake.

Step 4: Simmer Your Mulled Fruit

Combine your mixed berries, red wine or juice, sugar, spices, salt, orange zest, and juice in a saucepan. Cover and cook on medium-low until the fruit softens and juices release, usually 5 to 10 minutes. Let it cool completely—warm fruit will soften the cheesecake and change texture if added hot.

Step 5: Assemble and Chill

In individual glasses or a 9-inch springform pan, spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the shortbread crumb mixture for the base. Add a thick layer of cheesecake filling on top, smoothing it out. Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up — this step is crucial, so don’t skip it!

Step 6: Top and Serve

Spoon the mulled fruit over your cheesecake right before serving. I also love adding a dollop of whipped cream, a whole shortbread cookie for crunch, and some sugared cranberries or fresh herbs if I’m feeling fancy. These little garnishes really elevate the presentation and taste.

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Pro Tips for Making No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring cream cheese to room temp to avoid lumps and get that smooth, dreamy filling.
Gentle Chocolate Melting: Use a double boiler and don’t rush cooling white chocolate before mixing in to keep the right texture.
Folding Technique: Fold whipped cream in slowly to keep the mix airy and prevent deflation.
Chilling Time: Don’t skimp on chill time! At least 4 hours gives you the best set and flavor melding.

How to Serve No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe

No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for presentation, so I always top these cheesecakes with a swirl of freshly whipped cream, a whole Walkers Shortbread Gingerbread Man cookie perched on the side, sugared cranberries for sparkle, and sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary. These garnishes add color, texture, and that extra holiday vibe.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully with a cup of spiced tea or mulled wine to echo the flavors. On cozy winter nights, I often serve it after a simple roast chicken dinner — it’s refreshing and light enough to end the meal without feeling heavy.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve served this in clear mini trifle glasses layered with additional crushed shortbread and mulled fruit for a stunning multi-textured effect. It’s also fun to pipe the cheesecake filling with a large star tip for pretty swirls that look professionally done but take minimal effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in airtight containers in the fridge. They stay fresh and creamy for up to 3 days — I often find the flavors even deepen after a day, so making ahead is a big win.

Freezing

I’ve frozen whole cheesecakes and individual servings wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap. It defrosts nicely overnight in the fridge but sometimes the texture becomes a tad less fluffy, so I reserve freezing for when I need to plan really ahead.

Reheating

This is best served chilled, so rather than reheating, I recommend just letting frozen slices thaw slowly in the fridge. If you want to bring back a fresh whipped cream topping, just prepare a quick batch while it thaws.

FAQs

Can I use regular shortbread cookies instead of Walkers Shortbread Gingerbread Men?

Absolutely! Regular shortbread cookies work just fine for the crust. The gingerbread flavor just adds a festive twist, but you can definitely use plain shortbread or even graham crackers for a different flavor profile.
Is it necessary to use white chocolate in this cheesecake?

White chocolate provides sweetness and creaminess unique to this recipe, but if you prefer, you can try cream cheese with melted white chocolate substitute like a white chocolate-flavored baking bar. Dark or milk chocolate would change the flavor entirely, so stick with white for best results.
Can I make the mulled fruit ahead of time?

Definitely! In fact, making the mulled fruit a day ahead allows flavors to deepen nicely. Just store it covered in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before serving.
How long should I chill the cheesecake before serving?

At least 4 hours is ideal, but overnight chilling gives even better structure and flavor melding. If you’re in a hurry, try to give it at least 2-3 hours to set.
What can I substitute for red wine in the mulled fruit?

Cranberry juice or grape juice makes a great non-alcoholic swap and still gives that beautiful color and slightly tart flavor. Just keep the sugar and spice amounts the same for balance.

Final Thoughts

This No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mulled Fruit Recipe has become one of my absolute go-tos, especially during the holiday season — it’s festive, comforting, and downright delicious. Whether you’re making it for family, friends, or just treating yourself, I promise it’s worth every minute of prep. Give it a try and see why it’s a dessert that both beginners and seasoned bakers fall in love with!