Looking for a dessert that’s as fun as it is delicious? This Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe brings together a creamy, no-bake cheesecake bursting with colorful marshmallows and a crunchy graham cracker crust. Trust me, it’s a showstopper!

A round dessert with two main layers sits on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is smooth and pale yellow, with a creamy texture. On top of this layer is a ring of white whipped cream, piped in small fluffy peaks around the edge. Scattered over both the cream and the center layer are colorful marshmallows in shapes like rainbows, clovers, and hearts, in bright colors such as blue, pink, orange, yellow, green, and red. Some crushed cereal bits in similar bright colors are sprinkled over the entire surface, adding a crunchy texture. A few loose marshmallows and crushed cereal pieces lie outside the dessert on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this no-bake Lucky Charms cheesecake for a St. Patrick’s Day party, and it was an instant hit. The creamy vanilla-lemon filling with bursts of marshmallows inside makes every bite a delightful surprise.

Fun and Festive: Packed with colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows both inside and on top, it’s perfect for celebrating with a whimsical touch.
No Oven Needed: This easy cheesecake recipe comes together quickly without baking—ideal when you want something special but simple.
Creamy and Tangy Filling: The combo of cream cheese, vanilla pudding, and fresh lemon juice creates a smooth, luscious texture with a hint of brightness.
Crunchy Crust Base: A classic graham cracker crust adds just the right amount of buttery crunch to balance the creamy filling.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive in, here’s a quick look at what goes into this Lucky Charms cheesecake and why each ingredient is important. I like to grab full-fat cream cheese and fresh lemon for a rich, bright flavor, and of course, the iconic Lucky Charms cereal is a must-have for that colorful magic.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden crushed graham crackers, a small white ceramic bowl with melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl of white granulated sugar, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a cluster of cream cheese blocks with a smooth white surface, a small white ceramic bowl of thick heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of fine powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow instant vanilla pudding powder, a small white ceramic bowl with clear fresh lemon juice, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows and frosted flakes, and a small white ceramic bowl of smooth vanilla frosting 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

Graham crackers: The base for our crust, crushed finely to create a sturdy, buttery foundation.
Butter: Melted and mixed with crumbs to hold the crust together with a delicious richness.
Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the crust and filling.
Cream cheese: The star of the filling, softened to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
Heavy cream: Whipped into the filling for extra richness and fluffiness.
Instant Vanilla Jello pudding: Helps set the no-bake cheesecake with a lovely vanilla flavor.
Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness without graininess, perfect for the filling’s smoothness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the sweet flavors with warm, fragrant notes.
Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the filling for a subtle tang that keeps things lively.
Lucky Charms Cereal: Both the marshmallows and frosted flakes go into the filling and on top for that magical pop of color and fun texture.
Vanilla frosting: Chilled and piped around the edges, it adds sweetness and a finishing touch to your dessert display.

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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.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe is how easy it is to customize and make your own! Whether you want to dial up the fun factor or make it a bit lighter, there’s plenty of room to play around with flavors and textures.

Gluten-Free Variation: Swap the graham cracker crust for gluten-free graham crackers or crushed gluten-free cookies. I did this once for a friend who’s gluten intolerant, and the cheesecake still came out just as creamy and delicious without missing a beat!
Fruit Twist: Add some fresh chopped strawberries or a lemon glaze on top to brighten up the flavors. The lemon juice in the filling pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit for a little tang and freshness.
Chocolate Lover’s Version: Fold mini chocolate chips into the filling for an extra decadent touch. The marshmallows combined with chocolate chips make a playful and irresistible combo.
Use Homemade Pudding: For a preservative-free dessert, try making your own vanilla pudding to mix in instead of the instant pudding powder. It adds a lovely homemade touch that really shines through.
Frosting Flair: Instead of vanilla frosting, try cream cheese frosting flavored with a splash of Irish cream or a hint of mint extract for a seasonal twist!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe

A close-up view inside a shiny silver mixing bowl shows a smooth, creamy, pale yellow batter as the main base layer. On top of the batter, there is a scattered mix of cereal pieces with two distinct parts: flat, golden-brown flakes and brightly colored marshmallow shapes in pink, blue, green, and yellow. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and a wooden spatula with batter on it leans against the bowl’s edge. Part of a black round dish with crushed crumbs is visible at the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Crafting the Perfect Crust

Start by pulsing about 11 graham crackers (roughly one sleeve) in a food processor until you get fine, even crumbs. Pour those crumbs into a bowl, then stir in 2 tablespoons of sugar and ⅓ stick of melted butter until every crumb is coated and clumping together slightly. Next, line a 7-inch springform pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly across the bottom of the pan—this ensures a nice, crunchy base. I like to use the back of a spoon to smooth it out. Once complete, pop the pan into the freezer to firm up while you move on to the filling.

Step 2: Whipping Up the Creamy Cheesecake Filling

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine 4 packages (8 oz each) of softened cream cheese, ½ cup heavy cream, and 4 ounces of Instant Vanilla Jello pudding mix. Blend this on low speed until fully combined and smooth. Now it’s time to add the sweetness and flavor: toss in 1 cup sugar, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Mix until these ingredients are incorporated, then crank the mixer up to high. Beat until the batter is luxuriously smooth and creamy. Don’t forget to pause, scrape the sides of your bowl with a spatula, then blend once more to ensure everything is perfectly mixed.

Step 3: Adding That Magical Lucky Charms Touch

Pour the Lucky Charms cereal into a large bowl and pick out about 20 to 30 of the colorful marshmallows and a few frosted flakes—these will add bursts of sweet, marshmallowy flavor and texture. Gently fold these into your cheesecake batter using a spoon, being careful to mix just enough so the marshmallows stay intact and vibrant. Set aside the rest of the cereal for garnish, and chill the can of vanilla frosting in the fridge so it’s ready for decorating later.

Step 4: Assemble and Chill to Perfection

Take your crust out of the freezer, then pour the cheesecake batter evenly on top, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Place it back into the freezer and let it set for a minimum of 2 hours, though overnight works beautifully for the best texture and firmness. This chilling step is crucial—it lets all the flavors marry while giving you a no-bake cheesecake that slices cleanly every time.

Step 5: Decorate and Delight

When you’re ready to serve, carefully remove the springform ring from the cheesecake. Spoon your chilled vanilla frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, then pipe big, fluffy dollops neatly around the edge of the cheesecake. Take the remaining Lucky Charms marshmallows and frosted flakes and sprinkle them generously over the top, placing colorful marshmallows on the frosting dollops for a whimsical and eye-catching presentation. Finally, cut the cheesecake into 8 slices, about 2 to 3 inches wide, and enjoy this festive, creamy treat!

Top Tip

These handy tips will help you nail the perfect texture and look for your Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe while making the process smooth and enjoyable!

Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: For the creamiest and richest cheesecake filling, always go with full-fat cream cheese. It blends better and gives the cheesecake that luscious mouthfeel we all crave.
Freeze the Crust First: Pressing the graham cracker crust firmly and freezing it before adding the filling really helps set a sturdy base, preventing sogginess and making slicing easier.
Gently Fold in the Marshmallows: Lucky Charms marshmallows are delicate. To keep them whole and colorful, gently fold them in at the end rather than mixing vigorously.
Keep It Frozen Until Serving: This cheesecake is best served chilled straight from the freezer to maintain firm slices and bright colors. Avoid thawing too long before serving to prevent a runny texture.

How to Serve Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe

The image shows a small round cake with three layers on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a light brown crumbly crust. The middle layer is thick and creamy white with colorful pieces of cereal mixed throughout. The top layer is white frosting with swirled peaks, decorated with bright, multicolored cereal pieces scattered on top and around the base. A bite is taken out of the cake, revealing the textures inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Decorate your Lucky Charms Cheesecake generously with vibrant Lucky Charms marshmallows for that unmistakable fun look. Adding extra dollops of chilled vanilla frosting around the edges with a star tip piped design adds a touch of elegance. For a final flourish, sprinkle a few additional frosted flakes or even edible glitter to make it sparkle at your festive table.

Side Dishes

This cheesecake is a sweet star on its own, but pairing it with light, refreshing sides can beautifully balance the richness. Consider serving fresh berries, such as strawberries or raspberries, in a small bowl alongside. A scoop of lemon sorbet or a fresh fruit salad also complements the creamy textures and adds a zesty contrast perfect for any celebration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Lucky Charms Cheesecake tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping it well wrapped helps preserve the fresh flavors and prevents the marshmallows from becoming stale or soggy.

Freezing

This cheesecake is perfect for freezing! After assembling, keep it in the freezer wrapped securely with plastic wrap and a layer of foil for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw for about 2 hours before serving for the best texture.

Reheating

No reheating needed here! This no-bake Lucky Charms Cheesecake is meant to be enjoyed chilled or frozen. If you find the cheesecake a bit too firm from freezing, just let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to soften slightly before slicing and serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake the graham cracker crust for this cheesecake?

Yes! While this Lucky Charms Cheesecake is no-bake, you can bake the crust at 350°F for 8 minutes if you want a firmer base. Just let it cool completely before adding the filling.

Why do I need to freeze the cheesecake before serving?

Freezing helps the cheesecake firm up properly since it’s a no-bake recipe. It improves slicing and keeps the marshmallows vibrant and intact in the filling and on top.

Can I substitute homemade vanilla pudding for the instant mix?

Absolutely! Using homemade vanilla pudding is a great preservative-free alternative and works well in the filling to achieve that creamy texture.

How long does this cheesecake keep in the freezer?

When properly wrapped, the Lucky Charms Cheesecake can be frozen for up to one month without losing quality. Just thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Lucky Charms Cheesecake Recipe brings a playful, whimsical twist to classic cheesecake that everyone will adore. It’s wonderfully creamy with bursts of marshmallow magic, making it perfect not only for St. Patrick’s Day but anytime you want to add a bit of fun to your dessert table. Give it a try and watch those smiles grow — dessert doesn’t get much more charming than this!