Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Why This Creamsicle Cheesecake Belongs in Your Quick and Easy Recipes List
- The Story Behind This Citrus-Swirled Favorite
- Tips for Flawless No-Bake Layers
- Serving Ideas for Sweet Easy Recipes
- Make-Ahead & Storage for Easy Recipes for Dinner Parties
- FAQs
- Notes & Tips
- The Recipe (Cheesecake Steps)
Key Takeaways
- Creamy, citrus-bright no-bake cheesecake that sets beautifully with a plush, airy texture.
- Orange gelatin and vanilla cheesecake layers create that nostalgic creamsicle swirl.
- Great make-ahead dessert for potlucks, holidays, and warm-weather gatherings.
- Authored by Betty for Betty Cooks, where classic desserts meet approachable technique.
Why This Creamsicle Cheesecake Belongs in Your Quick and Easy Recipes List
If you love easy recipes, this creamsicle cheesecake is your new summer staple. With just a few steps and chill time, it fits right into your favorite collection of easy recipes, delivering a silky bite and refreshing orange-vanilla flavor without turning on the oven.

At Betty Cooks, Betty leans into nostalgia while keeping techniques streamlined, so you spend less time fussing and more time enjoying that dreamy citrus swirl. It’s a crowd-pleaser that looks bakery-made but feels totally doable on a busy week.

The Story Behind This Citrus-Swirled Favorite
Inspired by the classic popsicle, this dessert layers a vanilla-kissed cheesecake with a bright orange topping for a joyful slice that tastes like sunshine. It’s the kind of treat that anchors a celebration table and sneaks onto “recipes for dinner” boards for that essential finishing touch.

Tips for Flawless No-Bake Layers
- Soft & smooth: Bring the cream cheese fully to room temp so the filling turns out cloud-light and lump-free.
- Clean edges: Wipe your knife between cuts for picture-perfect layers and defined citrus color.
- Chill time wins: An overnight rest deepens flavor and sets the structure, making slicing effortless.
- Balance the brightness: A whisper of vanilla keeps the orange note playful, not overpowering.
- Make it yours: Garnish with mandarin segments or curls of orange zest for an instant “wow.”
Serving Ideas for Sweet Easy Recipes
Show it off in small squares for parties, or serve generous wedges with a dollop of whipped cream. It pairs beautifully with grilled mains from your “dinner recipes” lineup and rounds out weekend menus you file under “sweet easy recipes.” Fans who search for “food receipt easy recipes” will also appreciate how approachable and budget-friendly it is.

Make-Ahead & Storage for Easy Recipes for Dinner Parties
Make the cheesecake a day ahead and keep it chilled, then garnish just before serving for the freshest look. While this isn’t an air-fried dessert, even followers of “air fryer desserts easy recipes” love that it’s cool, quick to assemble, and fuss-free. For longer storage, slice, wrap individually, and freeze for up to one month.
FAQs
- How long should it chill? At least 4 hours, but overnight gives the cleanest slices and best flavor bloom.
- Can I use fresh oranges? Yes—zest and a splash of juice perk up the vanilla layer; keep the gelatin ratio stable.
- How do I keep the crust crisp? Pack the crumbs firmly and chill the base while you prep the filling.
- Is this beginner-friendly? Absolutely—this is one of those quick and easy recipes that looks impressive but stays simple.
Notes & Tips
- Use a glass or flat-bottom cup to press the crust evenly—no crumbs left behind.
- Let the orange layer cool slightly before folding it into the whipped topping to keep the texture airy.
- For cleaner cuts, remove the cheesecake from the fridge 5 minutes before slicing.
- Entertaining? Double the batch in two pans and label one for “company” in your freezer.
The Recipe (Cheesecake Steps)
Head to Betty Cooks for the full, step-by-step recipe by Betty, plus printable cards and more easy recipes for every season. You’ll also find helpful guides that organize desserts into quick and easy recipes collections and family-friendly menus that complement your “recipes for dinner” plans.


Creamsicle Cheesecake – Easy Recipes for a Refreshing Dessert
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 (8 ounce) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (3 ounce) package orange-flavored gelatin mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 (8 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Chill while preparing the filling.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in one container of whipped topping. Spread evenly over crust.
- Dissolve gelatin in boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Cool slightly.
- Gently fold gelatin mixture into the remaining whipped topping until well combined.
- Spread the orange mixture over the cream cheese layer. Chill until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Top with mandarin oranges before serving.
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