Chocolate Orange Cheesecake: Imagine getting to have Terry’s Chocolate Orange all year round- but in a cheesecake form.

This delish recipe is part of our ongoing collaboration with our sister blog, Whisk & Wunder — where we share beautiful recipes for our German-speaking audience!
If you’re looking for the German version of this recipe, click here.
Für das Rezept auf Deutsch klick einfach hier: Zum deutschen Rezept

Chocolate and orange is one of those timeless pairings that works all year round. Thanks to orange oil (or zest), you don’t have to wait for citrus season to enjoy that bright, zesty flavor—it’s always just a few drops away. But when the air turns crisp and cozy sweaters come out, we can’t help but think of Terry’s Chocolate Orange—the classic holiday treat that instantly makes us feel nostalgic. This no-bake chocolate orange cheesecake brings both worlds together: a year-round dessert with all the cozy, festive vibes you crave once the weather gets chilly.

Why No-Bake?

This recipe was born on one of those “I need dessert but don’t want to turn on the oven” nights. The rich cocoa and silky cream cheese base come together so easily, and the orange oil adds a bright lift that makes the whole cheesecake feel luxurious. We made this in the heat of summer for the first time and we just really didn’t want to turn on the oven. Then we realized, when you’re prepping for a big holiday party, there are always way too many people fighting over oven space. This recipe you can make the night before and have zero stress for the day of!

Ready to dive in? Keep reading or…

Jump to Recipe

Is this budget-friendly? 💸

We purchased all of these ingredients on our personal lower budget options. For your reference this cheesecake given the current prices at Aldi would be less than $15.00 to make with ingredients left over and we have been mindful to find ingredients that are SNAP eligible. Everything in this recipe from what we could find in our area was Snap Eligible excluding the $2.00 orange oil which has lasted us over a year of constant baking and we haven’t even made a dent in it.

Why you’ll love it 🍫🍊

This chocolate orange cheesecake is:

No-bake magic – No oven, no stress, just creamy cheesecake bliss.
Silky and decadent – Cocoa and cream cheese create a melt-in-your-mouth filling.
All-season friendly – Bright enough for summer, cozy enough for Christmas.
Perfect for holidays – Whipped cream + chocolate drizzle = instant showstopper.
Make-ahead ready – Chill overnight and serve stress-free at any gathering.

If you love this, you’ll love…

No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake – A bright and refreshing no-bake cheesecake layered with lemon curd and juicy blueberries. Perfect for spring and summer, but delicious enough to make any time of year.
Chocolate Orange Truffles – Rich, bite-sized truffles that combine the classic flavors of chocolate and orange. These make an elegant homemade gift or an easy holiday party treat.
Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes – Individual cheesecakes with a chocolate cookie crust and creamy cocoa filling. A great make-ahead dessert for parties or portion-controlled indulgence.

📌 Pin me!

Pin this no-bake chocolate orange cheesecake recipe for later—it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, or any time a chocolate craving hits! 🍫✨ Follow us on Pinterest @Tastycue for more no-bake desserts and holiday-ready treats!

Liking the recipes you’ve tried so far? Please consider joining our newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

Ingredients 📝

Graham cracker crust:

200 g (about 2 cups) graham cracker crumbs
100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, browned
2 tbsp sugar

The cheesecake filling:

450 g (16 oz) cream cheese, softened
240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
50 g (1/4 cup) sugar
50 g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp lemon juice
30 g (1/8 cup) sour cream
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 drops orange oil (or zest from 1–2 fresh oranges)

Topping:

Whipped cream
Chocolate drizzle
Cocoa Powder

Equipment needed

Blender (optional)
Springform 6-9 inch (Fits in both, just depends on how tall you want it)
Handmixer or Standmixer will make your life so much easier!
Stove top to brown the sugar

Directions

Make the crust – First brown your butter. While that is happening blend your graham crackers (or crush your choice!). Then Mix graham cracker crumbs, browned butter, and sugar until combined. Press firmly into a springform pan and place in freezer while you prepare the filling.
Whip the cream – Beat heavy cream with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Set aside.
Make the cheesecake base – In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, both sugars, cocoa powder, vanilla, lemon juice (trust us), sour cream, and orange oil until smooth.
Fold it together – Gently fold in the whipped cream until evenly incorporated.
Assemble – Pour the filling onto the chilled crust and smooth the top.
Chill – Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
Finish and serve – Add cocoa powder, swirls, and whipped cream before slicing.

FAQ 🧐

Can I use orange zest instead of orange oil?

Yes—zest from 1–2 fresh oranges is a perfect substitute.

Do I need to use granulated and caster sugar?

Caster sugar helps the filling stay silky smooth, but you can use all granulated sugar if needed.

Does no-bake cheesecake need gelatin?

Nope! Whipped cream + cream of tartar keeps the filling stable.

Is this a good holiday cheesecake?

Yes—it’s basically a no-bake version of Terry’s Chocolate Orange in cheesecake form. Ideal for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or winter gatherings.

How to store it / Meal prep this dish 🥶

Store in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days. For make-ahead prep, slice into portions and keep in airtight containers. You can also freeze for up to 1 month—just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

The final forkful 🍴

This no-bake chocolate orange cheesecake is indulgent enough for a holiday dessert table but easy enough for a casual summer night treat. With its silky filling, bright citrus notes, and decadent chocolate topping, it’s one of those recipes that will become part of your all-year rotation.

Let us know if you try this recipe out! We would love to hear what worked for you, what didn’t and any other delicious additions you added!

Much love,

Sidney & Thomas