Candy Hearts Fake Cake (Printable Version)

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

# What You'll 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

# How to Prepare:

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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • No oven means no stress, and the springform pan does all the heavy lifting for a bakery-worthy presentation.
  • The contrast between the crunchy candy shell and that silky, mousse-like filling is pure texture magic.
  • You can make it a full day ahead, which frees you up to do literally anything else before guests arrive.
  • It tastes like cheesecake but feels like a celebration cake, which makes it perfect for any occasion that needs a little extra whimsy.
02 -
  • Cold cream cheese will never blend smoothly; leave it on the counter for at least an hour before you start, or you will end up with lumps no amount of beating can fix.
  • Whipping cream needs to be very cold to reach stiff peaks; if your kitchen is warm, chill the bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10 minutes first.
  • Press the candies gently or the frosting will crack and slide off the sides; I learned this the hard way when half my decorations ended up on the counter.
  • Conversation hearts soften and lose their crunch if they sit on the frosting for more than a few hours, so decorate closer to serving time if you want that signature snap.
03 -
  • Freeze the cake for 1 hour before frosting if you want the cleanest, most professional-looking sides; the firmer filling is much easier to spread frosting over.
  • Use an offset spatula to smooth the frosting, dipping it in hot water and wiping it dry between passes for a bakery-quality finish.
  • If conversation hearts are out of season, use any small, colorful candy like M and Ms, Skittles, or even fresh berries for a completely different but equally charming look.
  • Leftover slices keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the candies will soften; freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to a month.
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