These Creamy Fruit and Nut Delight Bars are a luxurious no-bake dessert made with a crunchy nutty base, a silky cream layer, and bursts of sweet dried fruit in every bite. They’re perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or when you want an impressive dessert without turning on the oven.
Prep Time
- Prep: 25 minutes
- Chill time: 4–6 hours (or overnight for best results)
- Total: About 6 hours
Yield
- 12–16 bars (depending on size)
Ingredients
Nutty Biscuit Base
- 2 cups digestive biscuits or graham crackers, finely crushed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup chopped almonds or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Creamy Filling
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (adds creaminess and lightness)
Fruit & Nut Mix
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup raisins or chopped dates
- ¼ cup chopped dried apricots or mango
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
- ¼ cup chopped cashews or pecans
Optional Topping (Highly Recommended )
- ¼ cup melted white or dark chocolate
- Extra chopped nuts
- Extra dried fruit
- Light drizzle of honey
Instructions
Prepare the Base
- Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix crushed biscuits, melted butter, honey, vanilla, and chopped nuts.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to form an even base.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes until firm.
Make the Creamy Layer
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream to stiff peaks.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Fold in Greek yogurt until smooth and silky.
Add Fruit & Nuts
- Gently fold all dried fruits and nuts into the creamy mixture.
- Spread evenly over the chilled biscuit base.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
Chill & Set
- Refrigerate for at least 4–6 hours, preferably overnight, until fully set.
Decorate & Slice
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top.
- Sprinkle extra nuts and fruit for texture and beauty.
- Lift from the pan and slice into bars with a sharp knife.
Tips for Perfect Bars
- Chill your bowl before whipping cream for best volume.
- Use a hot knife (wipe between cuts) for clean slices.
- Swap fruits and nuts based on what you have — this recipe is very forgiving!
Benefits
- No baking required
- Rich in healthy fats from nuts
- Naturally sweetened fruit adds fiber
- Elegant dessert with minimal effort
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
- Freeze for up to 2 months (thaw in fridge before serving)