This easy baked cheesecake-inspired dessert is the kind of shortcut treat I love pulling together on a busy weeknight when I still want something a little festive. Using a simple log of pie crust dough as the base keeps prep minimal, while cream cheese and a few pantry staples bake into a warm, sweet filling that feels perfect for National Cheesecake Day or any casual get-together.
Serve this warm with hot coffee, iced espresso, or a glass of cold milk for an easy dessert spread. It’s also really good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, or a spoonful of cherry pie filling on top if you want to lean into that classic cheesecake flavor.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked National Cheesecake Day Sweet
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 solid unwrapped log raw unbaked pie crust dough
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe casserole dish. Place the solid unwrapped log of pie crust dough into the dish, then press and spread it out with your hands to cover the bottom in an even layer, bringing it slightly up the sides.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy with no large lumps remaining.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pie crust layer in the casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spoon or spatula.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden and the center looks set with just a slight jiggle. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Variations & Tips
Cherry Topping: Spoon cherry pie filling over the cooled dessert before serving for a classic cheesecake finish that makes this feel a little more celebration-ready.
Citrus Twist: Add a little lemon zest to the filling if you want a brighter flavor. It gives the dessert that fresh tang people love in traditional cheesecake.
Make-Ahead Tip: This dessert can be baked a few hours ahead and chilled if you prefer a firmer texture. For cleaner slices, refrigerate it completely before cutting.
Texture Tip: Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing so the filling turns out smooth and bakes evenly without lumps.