Candy Hearts Fake Cake (Printable)

Creamy no-bake layers with graham crust, fluffy frosting, and colorful candy hearts.

# What You Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
02 - 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

→ No-Bake Cheesecake Filling

04 - 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
05 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold

→ Whipped Frosting

08 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
09 - ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
10 - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
11 - A few drops pink gel food coloring, optional

→ Decoration

12 - 2 cups conversation heart candies
13 - ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand and clumps together when pressed.
02 - Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan lined with parchment paper. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to smooth and compact the crust. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until fluffy and fully combined.
04 - In a separate chilled bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until no streaks remain.
05 - Spread the cheesecake filling evenly over the chilled crust. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
06 - In a clean, chilled bowl, whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to stiff peaks. Add pink gel food coloring one drop at a time until your desired shade is reached.
07 - Release the chilled cheesecake from the pan and transfer to a serving plate. Spread the whipped frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake.
08 - Gently press conversation heart candies into the sides of the cake, covering the frosting in an even layer. Decorate the top with additional hearts and rainbow sprinkles.
09 - Chill the decorated cake for 30 minutes before slicing to allow the frosting and candy to set. Serve chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No oven means no stress, just a chilled dessert that sets itself while you clean up or relax.
  • The whipped cream cheese filling is so airy it practically melts on your tongue, and the buttery graham base anchors every sweet, creamy bite.
  • Decorating with candy hearts turns a simple cheesecake into a conversation piece that makes everyone smile before they even taste it.
02 -
  • Cold cream cheese will never whip smooth, so leave it on the counter for at least an hour before you start, or you will end up with lumps that no amount of beating can fix.
  • Conversation hearts soften fast at room temperature, so decorate the cake shortly before serving or the candies will lose their crunch and bleed color into the frosting.
03 -
  • Freeze the assembled, unfrosted cheesecake for 1 hour before decorating if you want the firmest base that will not shift or crack when you spread the frosting.
  • Use a hot, dry knife to slice the cake, wiping it clean between each cut, and you will get perfect, bakery-style slices with clean edges and no dragging.
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