45+ Best Silky Cream Cheese Desserts From Cheesecakes and Beyond

My guide to the best cream cheese desserts is packed with easy and delicious recipes that you can easily make at home. All of these desserts, made with cream cheese, feature easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, beautiful photos, and bold cream cheese flavor that we all love!

Katalin's key take on what desserts can be made from cream cheese?

Cream cheese is a key ingredient in many beloved desserts, adding a rich, creamy texture and a slight tang that perfectly balances sweetness. One of the most obvious desserts made with cream cheese is cheesecake, whether baked or unbaked. I will share several cheesecake recipes below.

Beyond cheesecakes, cream cheese frosting is an essential element in cakes like red velvet and carrot cake. This frosting can also be used to frost cupcakes, cookies, and even cinnamon rolls, adding a sweet and tangy contrast to the dessert.

In addition to cheesecakes and cakes, cream cheese is a key component in a variety of other delightful dessert recipes. For example, cream cheese brownies, Cream cheese-filled pastries like cheese danishes, and no-bake pies where cream cheese provides texture and structure.

Best Cream Cheese Dessert Recipes

1. Carrot Cake Cookies

These nut-free carrot cake cookies are the perfect way to sneak in your veggies while satisfying your sweet tooth! Featuring cinnamon-vanilla dough, freshly shredded carrots, and a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting, they're a fun Spring dessert perfect for all ages and occasions!

2. Strawberry Lasagna

This heavenly no-bake strawberry lasagna is a great way to brighten up the dessert scene this spring or summer! Made 100% from scratch, it features an irresistible strawberry golden Oreo crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, another fresh strawberry cheesecake layer, and a fluffy whipped topping. The result is a fresh and vibrant treat perfect for picnics, potlucks, and parties!

3. Lemon Sheet Cake

This moist lemon sheet cake is the perfect way to add a burst of sunshine to your dessert table any time of the year! With a vanilla-based sponge infused with fresh lemon zest and a luscious cream cheese frosting, every bite is tangy, rich, and irresistible.

4. Cheesecake Brownies

These decadent cheesecake brownies feature a fudgy, moist chocolate brownie swirled with creamy vanilla cheesecake to create a marble dessert that is both beautiful and delicious. They're the perfect dessert for a decadent chocolate treat that is mildly sweet enough to enjoy anytime!

5. Chocolate Banana Cupcakes

These mouthwatering chocolate banana cupcakes are a decadent blend of rich chocolate cupcakes and sweet banana frosting. Made with a super moist chocolate sponge base and topped with a creamy homemade banana cream cheese frosting, they are fun to make, and the whole family will love them!

6. Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danish

Here's a super-easy yet incredibly delicious cream cheese dessert recipe that you can whip up in no time. Flaky, buttery puff pastry, smooth cream cheese filling, and fresh berries combine to make a fantastic homemade Danish pastry.

7. Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adding cream cheese to cookie dough makes them so moist and flavorful. They definitely won't stay in the cookie jar for very long, and you only need a few basic pantry ingredients to make them. Surely, it's a winner.

8. No Bake Cheesecake Bites

You won't have to share your cheesecake if you make this recipe! Individual cheesecake bites with a crispy cookie crust, rich cream cheese filling, and fresh berry compote. But definitely make enough to go around, as everyone always seems to return to more.

9. Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cookies

If you love pumpkin spice and love Snickerdoodle, this is the cream cheese dessert for you. A pocket of cream cheese is hidden in the center so that every bite has that signature rich cheesecake tang. No one can ever resist!

10. No-bake Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake

Philadelphia no-bake cheesecake with a touch of Biscoff spread and Biscoff cookies! You can make this airy Biscoff cheesecake without an oven, water bath, or complicated baking instruments with simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Biscoff crunchy crust, Biscoff spread cream cheese filling, and a wonderful yet easy Biscoff crumb decoration make this one of the most delicious cheesecakes!

11. Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies

An easy cookie recipe made with fresh raspberries and stuffed with cream cheese filling, and sprinkled with cheesecake crust. Cheesecake in a bite-sized cookie format. They are divine and super easy to make!

12. Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

The addition of fluffy cream cheese frosting elevates this moist and tender chocolate cake, resulting in a rich and decadent dessert. The recipe is quick and easy, requiring only 15 minutes of preparation time before baking. The chocolate flavor is pure and not overly sweet, making it a perfect choice for any chocolate lover. 

The cream cheese in the frosting adds a tangy quality and a more complex flavor than buttercream alone could achieve.

13. Jiggly Japanese Cheesecake

This Japanese cheesecake is a unique dessert that stands out for its soft, jiggly texture and delicate flavor. Made primarily with cream cheese and eggs, this sponge-like cheesecake has a souffle-like consistency that's both jiggly and fluffy. To achieve its signature texture, the recipe calls for whipped egg whites, which are gently folded into the batter. 

14. Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

Cinnamon rolls are one of the most comforting breakfast foods available, and this recipe elevates them by incorporating a delicious apple pie filling. With every bite, you'll enjoy warm, aromatic spices that perfectly complement the sweet, fruity flavor of the apples. To top it all off, the recipe calls for you to generously slather these rolls with a wonderfully rich and thick cream cheese icing.

15. No Bake Pumpkin Pie

With just 30 minutes of prep time, you can put together a delicious and impressive no-bake pumpkin pie. The filling is made with a velvety cream cheese base that delivers all the classic pumpkin pie flavors, without any of the hassles of baking. In addition, the tangy cream cheese perfectly complements the savory pumpkin puree, resulting in a truly delectable dessert.

16. Pink Cake

Treat yourself to something special with this gorgeous sponge cake, beaming with a lively pink color and a rich blend of vanilla and cream cheese flavors. It's the perfect dessert for those who appreciate a touch of elegance and fun in their sweet indulgences. You can whip up this stunning cake in under two hours, so go ahead and add a pop of color and flavor to your next gathering.

17. Red Velvet Brownies

These red velvet brownies are pure indulgence with their rich and fudgy texture. A luscious cream cheese swirl makes them even more decadent, showcasing these brownies as beautiful as they are easy to make. The secret to their dense and moist bite is skipping the baking powder and slightly underbaking them. This results in fudgey brownie bliss every time.

18. Cinnamon Cupcakes

These moist cinnamon cupcakes, topped with a swirl of bold cream cheese frosting, offer a delightful blend of warm and tangy flavors. Simple to make, this dessert is a versatile and delicious treat that can be enjoyed any time of the year. The carefully crafted cream cheese frosting pairs exceptionally well with the spiced cupcakes, resulting in a harmonious balance of all flavors.

19. Peanut Butter Cake

If you have been searching for the ultimate peanut butter cake recipe that will be the talk of the town, look no further! This showstopper peanut butter cake is made with moist, fluffy sponge cakes and is topped with a smooth and creamy peanut butter cream cheese frosting.

Equally old-fashioned and modern, this peanut butter cake is perfect for a special occasion or a casual afternoon snack. Who knew that putting peanut butter in cake could be so good?

20. Baklava Cheesecake

While you may have enjoyed baklava in its traditional form of small squares or triangles, this recipe introduces a delicious twist - cheesecake! Layers of roasted walnuts and filo dough alternate at the bottom of this dessert, each generously brushed with the signature honey syrup that imparts baklava with its unmistakable luster and luxurious taste. 

21. Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

This double-layer pumpkin pie is a true delight for the taste buds. With two layers of creamy pumpkin filling and a buttery graham cracker crust, it's the ideal dessert for any Fall or Winter occasion. The bottom layer features a silky smooth cream cheese and heavy cream whip, while the second layer is the perfect combination of pumpkin flavor, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

22. Raspberry Lemonade Cheesecake

This gorgeous raspberry lemonade cheesecake is one of those cream cheese desserts that is almost too pretty to eat. The fluffy cream cheese filling sits atop a fruity crust that gets its tangy and refreshing flavor from freeze-dried raspberries. Despite its intricate appearance, this showstopping cheesecake uses simple ingredients and a non-complicated process that anyone can replicate.

23. Hokkaido Cheese Tarts

My buttery shortcrust recipe serves as the perfect base for these Japanese desserts. The filling consists of a luscious blend of Philadelphia cream cheese and Parmesan cheese, delivering a rich and creamy flavor. These cheese tarts are a unique addition to any brunch spread and can be enjoyed warm, cold, or even straight from the freezer, making them a versatile treat for any occasion.

24. Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

These cheesecake-filled cookies are soft, chewy, and absolutely delicious. Fresh strawberries are delicately folded into the cookie dough to create a naturally sweet taste. It also creates a strawberry cream cheese flavor in every bite once all the elements come together.  

These delightful cookies are not only easy to make, but they also feature a delicious buttery flavor that will keep you coming back for more.

25. Basque Burnt Cheesecake

Basque cheesecake is a delicious dessert with a creamy, custard-like center and a beautifully caramelized top. The cake is cooked under high heat, which gives it its distinctive dark color and a slightly burnt flavor that contrasts perfectly with the creamy interior. This cheesecake is an excellent choice for novice bakers as it requires only five simple ingredients and does not need a water bath. Moreover, its rustic appearance also means that it's forgiving of imperfections.

This is probably the best cream cheese dessert with few ingredients!

26. Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread is the perfect choice when deciding which fall desserts to make with cream cheese. The rich and savory pumpkin flavors blend perfectly with the sweet and fluffy cream cheese frosting. Rather than adding butter to the frosting, this recipe uses mascarpone in tandem with cream cheese for an ultra-rich and creamy result without a buttery aftertaste. 

27. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

This pie will be a unique addition to your next Fall or Thanksgiving gathering. The flaky pie crust provides a contrasting texture to the smooth and silky pumpkin filling. Not overly sweet, this pie offers a balance of savory flavors with a hint of sweetness from the cream cheese marbling. 

Plus, the cream cheese in both the filling and the swirl makes this dessert ideal for those who love the subtle tang alongside the classic warming spices. 

28. Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ultra moist and rich, these brownies are made with both dark chocolate and cocoa powder for the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream. They're topped with the perfect cream cheese addition, making this one of the tastiest whipped cream cheese desserts. Still, these cream cheese brownies are a decadent but not excessively sweet treat.

29. Carrot Sheet Cake

This super moist carrot sheet cake recipe is just the kind of dessert you need when you’re craving something sweet and flavorful. Made with a super moist carrot cake base and a rich vanilla cream cheese frosting, this nut-free, butter-free recipe is guaranteed to be a Spring favorite among family and friends!

30. Greek Yogurt Cookies

Soft, fluffy, and oh-so-moist, these Greek Yogurt Cookies are super easy to make and sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Made with creamy Greek yogurt perfectly blended into the cookie dough and topped with my famous cream cheese frosting, these cookies redefine the meaning of simple and delicious!

31. Lemon Cupcakes

Fresh and zesty Lemon Cupcakes with the silkiest, smoothest lemon frosting. These delicate cupcakes will brighten up any dessert table and work just as well in summer as they do in winter. Full of bright citrus flavor, they're always a hit!

32. Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

Fragrant and full of flavor, these melt-in-your-mouth brioche cinnamon rolls are the best thing in the morning! Made with buttery brioche dough rolled up with a sweet cinnamon sugar filling and topped with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting, you'll want to have them for breakfast as well as dessert!

33. Blueberry Cookies

If you enjoy the flavor of blueberry muffins but crave the crunchiness of cookies, then you'll love this recipe for blueberry cookies! Made with fresh blueberries and topped with a light and fluffy blueberry cream cheese frosting, these soft, chewy blueberry cookies aren’t just irresistible but also beautiful. It just may be the best blueberry cookie recipe you have tried!

34. Pistachio cheesecake

A delicious no-bake Pistachio Cheesecake with a crunchy two-ingredient crust and creamy, airy pistachio cream cheese mousse filling. It's full of natural pistachio flavor, and there's no baking involved. It's the easiest pistachio cheesecake recipe ever!

35. Mini Carrot Cakes

Mini Carrot Cakes with silky smooth cream cheese frosting are the perfect size for one person and have a moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture and cute piped carrot decoration. They're one of my favorite desserts!

36. Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Cream cheese pound cake is a beloved Southern American classic recipe that is nothing short of delicious. It’s also one of the easy desserts with Philadelphia cream cheese that always comes out perfectly moist and golden brown. 

This cream cheese dessert recipe uses half a pound of cream cheese, not only adding a subtle tang but also helping it maintain a tender crumb.

37. Red Velvet Cheesecake

Buttermilk and cocoa powder are expertly paired with cream cheese in this dessert to achieve the classic red velvet taste. With each bite, you'll experience the creamy cheesecake and crunchy cookie crust. Additionally, this cheesecake is topped with a light and fluffy whipped topping that perfectly complements the otherwise dense dessert.

38. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin cheesecake bars are the perfect dessert for the fall season, featuring cream cheese. The rich, creamy filling is made from pumpkin puree and cream cheese, and these bars also have a lovely texture that simply melts in your mouth. They are also topped with a buttery crumble made with crunchy pecans, which provides a fantastic contrast in texture to the filling. 

39. Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies

These chocolate cheesecake brownies are a fudge lover's dream. With a creamy cheesecake swirl throughout, every bite is also a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Despite being incredibly rich and dense, these chocolate cream cheese bars are easy to make and can be whipped up for a mid-week treat or a weekend indulgence.

40. Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream

This easy cream cheese dessert combines the pleasant tang of cream cheese with succulent cherry pie filling for a decadent treat that’s still simple enough to enjoy as a weeknight dessert. The smooth and velvety texture of the ice cream will have you savoring every spoonful, and the chunks of crushed graham crackers add a satisfying crunch.

41. Raspberry Almond Danish

Indulge in an unforgettable pastry experience with this delicious fruit and cream cheese Danish. Made with light and flaky puff pastry, this delightful treat includes a luscious cream cheese filling, a raspberry jam topping, and an almond glaze finish. Finally, slivered almonds take their rightful place atop these delicious fruit and cream cheese desserts, offering the perfect crunch in every bite.

42. Guava Cream Cheese Swirl Ice Cream

Guava is a fruit that, in my opinion, is not used enough. It has a delicious taste and evokes the essence of summer. In this cream cheese recipe, we make homemade ice cream with cream cheese, swirled with cookies and guava jam. No one will be able to resist!

43. Cream Cheese Mousse

While cream cheese is rich and creamy, it can certainly also be light and fluffy. This French cream cheese mousse is as airy as can be and perfectly paired with a sweet yet tart Amaretto raspberry coulis. Moreover, it is extremely versatile, allowing you to swap out the fruit and alcohol for other ingredients if you prefer.

44. Cinnamon Cream Cheese Ice Cream

The warmth and subtle spice of cinnamon make a great pairing with rich cream cheese, and if that sounds appealing to you, read on. Here's a recipe for cream cheese ice cream spiked with cinnamon spice, which I think would taste incredible with any dessert during the holiday season. In conclusion, you should certainly save this recipe.

45. Easy Lemon Cream Cheese Danish

The Danes really know how to make good pastry desserts. And if you use two very small but mighty baking shortcuts, this dessert can be ready in no time. Instead of making your own homemade classic puff pastry, buy some from the store. And I'd always encourage you to make homemade lemon curd, but for speed, also buy a jar of it. Then, all you need is to follow a few simple steps to whip up the cream cheese filling, and you're there!

46. Strawberry Cream Cheese Scones

I love homemade scones. And this recipe produces the most unbelievably moist scones ever! They are baked with small frozen cubes of cream cheese and fresh strawberries so that the buttermilk batter never gets dry and bursts with flavor. Top with a sweet glaze and enjoy!

47. Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries and Cream Cheese

Serve this for breakfast or dessert, and wait for the compliments to roll on in. Croissants are dipped in a cream cheese custard and layered in an oven dish before being baked to crispy perfection. Top with fresh fruit and enjoy.

48. Fig Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

Figs and honey are a match made in heaven, and this recipe has it all. Fresh figs, fig jam, spices, oats, olive oil, and brown sugar make the cupcakes unbelievably tasty. And then to have the cream cheese frosting with added honey on top is almost too good to be true. Certainly, bake these cupcakes and watch them disappear in no time.