No-Bake Cheesecake (2024)

No-Bake Cheesecake (1)

  1. Crush graham crackers:

    Put graham crackers in a large resealable plastic bag, and crush them with a rolling pin until very fine crumbs form.

    No-Bake Cheesecake (2)

  2. Mix graham-cracker crumbs with sugar and butter:

    Pour crumbs into a medium bowl; stir in sugar. Add butter and stir until well combined.

  3. Press crumb mixture into springform pan:

    Press the crumb mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, spreading it 1 1/2 to 2 inches up the side; press flat. Chill crust in freezer at least 10 minutes.

    No-Bake Cheesecake (4)

    Bring the cream cheese to room temperature to make it easier to incorporate. To do this, remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator about an hour ahead.

  4. Make filling:

    Meanwhile, make the filling: Using an electric mixer set at medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the condensed milk a little at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl, as necessary. Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla.

  5. Add filling to crust, cover, and refrigerate:

    Pour the filling into the crust; smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

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  6. Remove cheesecake from pan and serve:

    Unclasp sides of pan, and remove cheesecake.

No-Bake Cheesecake (7)

Cheesecake Toppings

Our no-bake cheesecake tastes delicious as is—or try one of these toppings:

  • Fresh berries, such as blackberries or blueberries (or serve the berries on the side)
  • Segmented orange slices
  • A strawberry or raspberry puree made with little or no sugar, spread on top
  • A tart lemon curd spread on top of the cheesecake

Recipe Variations:

Cheesecake Parfait

Skip the crust and use the cheesecake filling in a parfait: Mix the filling, then put some in into each serving glass. Top with broken-up cookies (such as chocolate or vanilla wafers) or graham crackers and add fresh fruit (such as raspberries or blueberries). Alternate layers. Refrigerate parfait for 30 minutes and serve.

Chocolate Cheesecake

Make the crust with chocolate wafer cookies (10 ounces, or about 50 cookies) instead of graham crackers. Once you've mixed the filling, gently stir in 1 cup mini chocolate chips, and then fill the crust. Sprinkle more chips on top of the chilled cheesecake.

How to Cut Clean Slices

A clean slice of cheesecake is as satisfying as it is beautiful, here's how to cut one every time.

What you need: Use a sharp chef's knife that's large enough to support each slice of cheesecake en route to its plate. Have a large glass or plastic quart container of very hot water and a clean dish towel nearby.

  • Before cutting each slice, including the first one, dip your knife into the hot water and allow the blade to heat up for a few seconds.
  • Dry it quickly (and well!) with your towel, and make a confident slice.

Practice makes perfect, so use the goal of mastering your slicing technique as an excuse to keep making no-bake cheesecakes all year round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze no-bake cheesecake?

We do not recommend freezing our no-bake cheesecake as a way to speed up the chilling and setting process because freezing will impact the texture of both the filling and the crust. We also do not recommend freezing the cheesecake as a make-ahead strategy.


Does no-bake cheesecake need to be refrigerated

Yes! No-bake cheesecake must be refrigerated when it is first made to allow it to set properly. It also requires refrigerating for storage and should not sit out longer than two hours for serving. Any leftovers should also be refrigerated.

More No-Bake Cheesecake Recipes to Try:

No-Bake Cheesecake (8)

No-Bake Cheesecake (2024)

FAQs

How to fix no bake cheesecake mistakes? ›

If your filling is really runny, you can add a little bit of gelatin or cornstarch to thicken it up. Gelatin is great for adding firmness, while cornstarch can thicken the mixture without making it too firm.

How to know if a no bake cheesecake is done? ›

Try this: The cheesecake should be shiny and firm to the touch when set. You can move the cheesecake to the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing, but freezing any longer will make for a frozen cheesecake without the same delightfully creamy texture as the just-refrigerated version.

Why is my no bake cheesecake not set? ›

The primary reason a no-bake cheesecake is too runny or doesn't set up properly is generally the temperature of the ingredients. If your cream cheese is too warm, the mixture will be too soft and will never set up properly.

Why is my no bake cheesecake base too hard? ›

If your cheesecake base is too hard – this can be down to a few things, such as brands of biscuits, too much butter, or a really cold fridge (or if you froze the cheesecake). Generally I stick to a rule of about 100-150g of butter in a biscuit base.

How to thicken up a no-bake cheesecake? ›

Sometimes, a no-bake cheesecake filling can turn “soupy” in texture. Don't worry, we can rescue it! If your cheesecake filling goes soupy in texture, don't worry—you can fix it! Just add a little gelatin to the mix, and it will set up in the fridge just fine.

How do you save a no-bake cheesecake that didn't set? ›

After the chill time, if your cheesecake still isn't firm enough, you can freeze it to help it set up. Be careful not to freeze it too long unwrapped though; it can cause the texture to become gritty.

Can a no bake cheesecake set in 3 hours? ›

If you rush it, you risk cutting into a cheesecake that is still liquid in the center. The recipe calls for two and a half to three hours for chilling, but longer is even better. Let it sit overnight in the refrigerator for easier slicing, or make it up to two days ahead if you're orchestrating a big party.

What to do with a failed cheesecake? ›

Perhaps your kitchen is colder because of weather or your oven has a hot spot. For whatever reason, the cheesecake has cracked despite your best efforts. Remember, your cheesecake is still delicious, so instead of calling it a failed experiment, cover the crack with a delicious topping, like a sour cream coat.

Is it better to overcook or undercook cheesecake? ›

Avoid Overcooking

DON'T overbake. Overbaking a cheesecake can cause cracks on the surface.

How to make a no bake cheesecake set faster? ›

Yes, you can freeze a no-bake cheesecake to hasten its setting time. However, you should only keep it in the freezer for approximately an hour since if you keep it there for too long, it might freeze solid.

How to fix lumpy no bake cheesecake? ›

You can either pour the mixture into a pot at a low temperature or put it in a bowl over warm water. Stir continuously until all the cream cheese lumps are melted, and the mixture is completely smooth. It is also a good method to fix cheesecake batters that are curdled or split.

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

Cold ingredients are a big no-no when it comes to cheesecake. If your ingredients are cold you will have to mix them longer which will whip too much air into your batter. If the cake has too much air, it will rise too much in the oven and then the middle will sink when cooling. Nobody wants a sad, sunken cheesecake.

Does cheesecake get firmer as it cools? ›

Either way, the cake will still look wobbly in the center. Don't worry; it will continue to firm up as it cools, first at room temperature, and then in the refrigerator.

Can you Rebake a cheesecake that didn't set? ›

Yes, you can fix an undercooked cheesecake by placing it back in the oven for another few minutes, but ensure the oven temperature is correct.

Should I put no bake cheesecake in the fridge or freezer? ›

Make Ahead Instructions: No Bake Cheesecake can be made 1-2 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Freezing Instructions: Once the cheesecake has set-up properly in the fridge you can freeze it (or freeze the leftovers).

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