Description
This classic No Bake Cheesecake recipe is a creamy, dreamy dessert that’s easy to prepare without the use of an oven. The smooth cream cheese filling sits on a crunchy graham cracker crust, chilled to perfection for a refreshing treat. Ideal for warm days or when you want a fuss-free dessert, it’s rich yet light and perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Crust
- 7 oz (200g) Graham Crackers (Digestive biscuits work well too)
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Filling
- 26 oz (750g) full fat cream cheese (Brick cream cheese like Philadelphia, room temperature)
- 1¼ cup powdered sugar (sifted)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (cold)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Decoration
- Assorted fresh berries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust. Crush the Graham crackers or Digestive biscuits in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Combine the crumbs with melted butter and granulated sugar, mixing until the mixture resembles damp sand.
- Form the base. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the base of a 7-inch (20cm) springform pan lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate to set while preparing the filling.
- Make cream cheese mixture. Whip the room temperature cream cheese with sifted powdered sugar until smooth and thick, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add sour cream and lemon. Mix in the sour cream and lemon juice to add a slight tang and creaminess to the filling.
- Whip the cream. In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy whipping cream with vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This adds lightness and volume to the filling.
- Combine mixtures. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, being careful to keep it airy and smooth without deflating.
- Assemble cheesecake. Pour the filling over the chilled crust in the springform pan, smoothing the top gently. Cover with plastic wrap without pressing it onto the surface.
- Chill to set. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours, ideally up to 12 hours, to allow it to firm up for perfect slicing consistency.
- Release from pan. To easily remove the cheesecake from the pan, gently warm the sides with a kitchen blowtorch or a hot cloth to loosen it.
- Unmold. Run a palette knife carefully around the edges, then unlock and remove the springform pan sides. Transfer the cheesecake onto a serving plate.
- Decorate and serve. Garnish the cheesecake with fresh assorted berries, slice, and serve chilled for a delightful dessert experience.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth filling without lumps.
- Do not overmix when folding whipped cream into the cream cheese to maintain a light texture.
- For best results, chill the cheesecake overnight to allow it to set fully.
- Use a springform pan lined with parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Fresh berries add a lovely tartness that complements the richness of the cheesecake.
- If no kitchen blowtorch is available, a hot damp cloth works well to loosen the cake from the pan.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American