Thanks so much for stopping by—I’m beyond excited to share this quick, no‑oven treat with you! These bars are loaded with creamy white chocolate, cinnamon‑kissed graham crust, and the dreamy tang of cream cheese. No‑Bake Cookie Bars is the perfect quick dessert or snack, and I’d love for you to subscribe to my email list to get more easy family‑style recipes just like this straight to your inbox!
Overview of Recipe Content
What this recipe is
These No‑Bake Cookie Bars are luscious, velvety‑rich, and utterly simple—they require no baking at all. Just a buttery crust, a dreamy cream cheese filling sweetened with melted white chocolate chips, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon if you like. Perfect as a sweet treat or an afternoon pick‑me‑up.
Why you’ll love it
- No oven = no stress and no heating up the kitchen!
- Silky smooth texture meets crisp cinnamon crumb base.
- Elegant enough for guests, easy enough for weeknights.
What it tastes like
Picture creamy cheesecake meets white chocolate bliss, balanced by a sweet‐spiced graham crumble. Every bite is pure melt‑in‑your‑mouth joy!
Health / seasonal relevance
These are indulgent but portionable—serve small squares for sweetness without overdoing it. No bake means they’re ideal in hot weather or when you want gifts that feel homemade without the fuss.
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips, melted
Tools needed
- 8×8-inch pan (or similar)
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (or strong arm with whisk!)
- Rubber spatula
Substitutions & additions
- Swap graham crumbs with digestive cookies or vanilla wafers.
- Use dark or semi‑sweet chocolate chips instead of white for variation.
- Add chopped nuts (almonds/pistachios) or shredded coconut to the filling.
How to Make No‑Bake Cookie Bars
- Prepare the crust:
Mix graham crumbs, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into lined 8×8 pan. Chill in fridge while you make the filling—it helps set a crisp base! - Make the filling:
Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy. Carefully fold in melted white chocolate chips in batches—keep the filling silky. - Assemble and chill:
Spread filling evenly over the chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight for best set. - Serve & enjoy:
Slice into squares, dust with extra cinnamon if desired, and serve cold. The texture should be firm enough to hold but soft and creamy in the mouth.
What to Serve with No‑Bake Cookie Bars
- A cup of cold milk or iced coffee for dipping style enjoyment.
- Fresh berries or a fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
- Classic butter cookies or biscotti for a crunch contrast.
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Room‑temp cream cheese is key—cold cheese causes lumps.
- Press crust firmly into pan so it holds shape when cutting.
- Chill minimum 4 hours; overnight is best for clean slices.
- Use parchment overhang in pan for easy lifting and neat edges.
Storage Instructions
- Store covered in fridge up to 5 days.
- Freeze squares in single layer (on tray) then transfer to container; freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in fridge before serving.
- Reheat slices slightly at room temp to soften if chilled too long.
General Information
This no‑bake style dessert echoes classic cream cheese dessert bars but skips the oven entirely—a true summertime gem. It’s especially nostalgic for those sweet treat lovers who remember grandmother’s fridge‑set desserts. The cinnamon‑graham crust nods to old‑fashioned crust flavors.
You might also love these similar treats from my collection:
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta (saves you weekday flavor magic!) Poulef Recipes
- Fig and Orange Cake, bright, fruity, and cozy as autumn! Poulef Recipes
- Chewy Coconut Squares, gooey coconut squares perfect for snack time (link on my Desserts & Sweets page) Poulef Recipes
- Cocoa Shortbread Cookies, rich, buttery, and perfectly chocolatey for homemade cookie bliss
Don’t forget to pin your version on Pinterest @poulefrecipe—I’d love to see your photos!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use low‑fat cream cheese?
Yes, but softer full‑fat gives the best texture and melt.
What if white chocolate seizes when melting?
Use gently melted white chocolate and avoid overheating. Stir off heat until smooth.
Can I make bars nut‑free or dairy‑free?
Sub crust with gluten‑free crumbs; filling: try plant‑based cream cheese and dairy‑free white chocolate.
How thick should the crust be?
About ½ inch—thin enough for balance, thick enough to hold the creamy top.
Can I use a springform pan?
Yes! Makes an elegant round “cheesecake bar” version; remember to chill well before removing.
Conclusion
These No‑Bake Cookie Bars are creamy, dreamy, and impossibly easy. With a cinnamon‑kissed crust and silky white‑chocolate cream cheese layer, they deliver indulgence without turning on the oven. If you loved this, try my Chewy Coconut Squares or Cocoa Shortbread Cookies next—they’re equally fabulous and fuss‑free.
Thanks for spending time in my kitchen—come back soon, drop a comment, or tag me on Pinterest with your creation!
Interactive Elements
I’d love to hear what you think—please leave a review or comment below! If you make these, share a photo on Pinterest or tag me @poulefrecipe so I can see your beautiful bars.
Nutritional Information
(approximate per 1″ square, yields about 16)Calories Fat (g) Sat. Fat Carbs Sugar Protein 250 16 9 24 18 3
Delightful No‑Bake Cookie Bars 🍪 A Fuss‑Free Power Snack!
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
Creamy white‑chocolate and cream‑cheese bars on a cinnamon‑graham crust—no baking needed!
Ingredients
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups white chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
1. Mix crumbs, sugar and cinnamon; stir in melted butter and press into pan.
2. Beat cream cheese until smooth; add powdered sugar and vanilla.
3. Fold in melted white chocolate until silky. Spread over crust.
4. Chill at least 4 hours. Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
Be sure cream cheese is room‑temp for smooth filling.
Press crust firmly for clean bars.
Chill overnight for best slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No‑Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 3g
