Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe - Lauren's Latest (2024)

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No-Bake Cheesecake has never been so easy or delicious! A silky smooth cream cheese filling surrounded by a buttery graham cracker crust. Enjoy plain or with any desired toppings with no oven required. The perfect summer dessert. Or if you’re looking for my classic cheesecake recipe <– see here!

Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe - Lauren's Latest (1)

What is No Bake Cheesecake?

Just as the name suggests, a no bake cheesecake doesn’t require any baking whatsoever. It’s the perfect dessert for hot weather, if you need a quick treat for a crowd or if you don’t want to take the time to make a traditional New York Style Cheesecake.

The graham cracker crust nor the filling requires any baking which means there are no eggs in this recipe and there is no extended baking or cooling times required. A no bake cheesecake is truly the fail-proof way to make cheesecake. No cracking, no baking, no water bath, no worries!

Which Cream Cheese is Best for Cheesecake?

Just like my Classic Cheesecake recipe, you’ll only need a few basic ingredients for this. Nothing new and very obvious items. For the cream cheese, I prefer Philadelphia brand because I think its a little more tangy that the other no-name brands out there. Be sure this is at room temperature to avoid lumps.

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How to Make Cheesecake (No Bake)

There are only a few steps and a little fridge time standing in between you and this no-bake cheesecake recipe! As easy as can be!

Make the Crust

Stir melted butter together with graham cracker crumbs and a touch of sugar. Be sure every crumb is coated in butter to have a crust that sticks together. Press into a pie pan and refrigerate.

Do I Have to Bake the Graham Cracker Crust?

While a traditional cheesecake does call for pre-baking the crust, I find it isn’t necessary for a no-bake cheesecake because the melted butter works as glue to hold the graham cracker crumbs together for neat and tidy slices. The melted butter hardens in the refrigerator and works perfectly. I wouldn’t bother baking the crust. It’s an extra step that I think is unnecessary.

How to Make Easy No Bake Cheesecake Filling

  1. In a stand mixer, stir room temperature cream cheese together with granulated sugar and a touch of vanilla.
  2. Slowly incorporate the cold heavy cream into the cream cheese filling being sure to scrape the sides after each addition.
  3. Once all the whipped cream has been added, whip the filling for 30-60 seconds or until very thick and it holds its shape easily. Be sure to not over beat! If you beat it too long, it will go from thick back to thin and won’t set.

Pour Filling into Crust + Chill

Spread that thick and creamy filling into the chilled crust, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours (or up to a few days).

Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe - Lauren's Latest (3)
Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe - Lauren's Latest (4)

Easy Cheesecake Recipe No Bake Tips

What to do if your Easy No Bake Cheesecake Doesn’t Set

If you are familiar with no bake cheesecake, you may know that getting a thick and luscious filling can seem harder than all us online folks make it look. It’s not hard, you just need to know how to make your filling properly.

Be sure to use room temperature cream cheese and blend with sugar and vanilla to get a smooth base to mix the whipped cream into. Next, using COLD heavy whipped cream, slowly incorporate it by thirds into the cream cheese mixture, letting it mix in completely and scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition. Once all the whipped cream has been incorporated, you want to whip it until its thick enough to hold its shape, completely smooth and creamy. You’re essentially whipping the cream within the cream cheese mixture.

Like I mentioned above, over mixing can turn your thick filling into soup. So once it’s thick, turn the mixer off and spoon it into your crust.

Also, using cold heavy whipping cream is important and helps thicken the filling. (Heavy whipping cream has a higher fat content than just whipping cream, so be sure to find the containers that say “heavy whipping cream” for ultimate success.)

No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe Toppings

Of course this cheesecake is delicious as in with no toppings whatsoever, though I am a little partial to a little lemon curd.

Serve with any desired toppings. From canned cherry or blueberry filling to fresh fruit or chocolate sauce, the sky is the limit!

Since this is a very basic, beautiful and delicious cheesecake recipe, try to find delicious toppings that will help enhance the flavor. Here are a few classic ideas:

  • cherry pie filling (what most no-bake cheesecakes call for)
  • fresh strawberries or raspberries
  • strawberry or raspberry sauce
  • chocolate shavings
  • chocolate sauce
  • melted nutella
  • whipped cream
  • lemon curd
  • chocolate ganache
  • salted caramel sauce
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Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe Storage

Leftover cheesecake should be covered in plastic wrap or an airtight container and stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.

To Freeze: Cheesecake can be frozen as a whole or cut into individual pieces. Be sure to wrap in plastic wrap and then wrap in foil before placing it in the freezer. Cheesecake will stay fresh for up to 1 month.

To Thaw: Place Cheesecake in the fridge overnight. The foil can be removed, but leave the plastic wrap on it until ready to serve. You can also microwave individual pieces for about 30 seconds at a time and then check it. I wouldn’t microwave an entire cake though.

More like this No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe

  • Gluten-Free No-Bake Cheesecake
  • No-Bake Brownie Batter Cheesecake
  • No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake {Gluten + Sugar-Free}
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake
  • Nutella Cheesecake
  • Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
  • Strawberry Cheesecake
  • No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
  • Cheesecake Factory Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

This recipe is certainly one of my favorites and I know you are sure to love this easy no bake cheesecake too 🙂 With the holidays quickly approaching, be sure to bookmark, pin, save or print this recipe so you don’t lose it. It’s another great one to add to your repertoire! Enjoy, friends.

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4.82 from 38 votes

Cheesecake (No Bake)

No-Bake Cheesecake has never been so easy or delicious! A silky smooth cream cheese filling surrounded by a buttery graham cracker crust. Enjoy plain or with any desired toppings with no oven required.

servings 8 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together to moisten. Press into an 8 or 9-inch glass pie plate and refrigerate.

  • In a large bowl, mix cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and well combined. Scrape the sides and mix again to ensure there are no lumps. Stir in vanilla.

  • With the mixer on, add cream in four increments, letting it whip into the cream cheese after each addition. Whip 1 minute until thick and light. Scrape the sides to ensure even mixing and whip again if needed.

  • Pour into prepared pie shell and smooth the top. Refrigerate 2 hours to overnight, covered in plastic wrap.

  • To serve, cut into pieces and top with two tablespoons of pie filling (or whipped cream) if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1460IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: no bake cheesecake recipe, No-Bake Cheesecake

Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe - Lauren's Latest (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't my no-bake cheesecake set? ›

The texture of the cheesecake will be runnier and it may not set up if using light cream cheese. Full fat cream cheese is best in this recipe. Question: Why is my cheesecake runny/why didn't it set up? Answer: This may be due to the type of cream used.

Why is my no-bake cheesecake not firming up? ›

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.

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.

What brand of cream cheese is best for cheesecake? ›

Philadelphia cream cheese is a popular brand of cream cheese that is often used in cheesecake recipes, but there are many other brands of cream cheese that can be used as well.

Why is my no bake cheesecake filling lumpy? ›

Your cream cheese needs to be room temperature before mixing. Trying to whip cold cream cheese into the filling will result in little lumps. Try this: Pull the cream cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before mixing. Unwrap the cream cheese and cut it into cubes if you're in a hurry to get the cake in the fridge.

Can you eat Philadelphia no bake cheesecake filling? ›

Yes, Philadelphia makes a 24-ounce tub of pre-made cheesecake filling that you can use directly from the fridge—no baking necessary. The tub has everything you want from the sugary, sweet, cream cheese filling of a cheesecake, and it's ready to serve as-is.

What happens when you overbeat cheesecake batter? ›

When making your filling, overmixing can lead to incorporating too much air into the batter. Once baked, the air bubbles will burst, and the cheesecake will fall and crack. THE FIX: The number one reason why you'd overbeat your batter is because you're having dificulty incorporating cold ingredients.

How do you thicken runny no bake cheesecake? ›

You can mix a tablespoon or two of cornstarch into your cheesecake filling mixture before baking. Another option is to use a little bit of flour or arrowroot powder. These ingredients will also help to thicken your filling and give it a more consistent texture.

What is the thickening agent in cheesecake? ›

Almost every cheesecake recipe calls either gelatin or beaten eggs, which are used as a setting or thickening agents. The cake will not set properly if there is no egg in the preparation, and you will just have a cream cheese pudding.

How long does it take for cheesecake to firm up? ›

Always (Always) Chill a Cheesecake

A cheesecake is a make-ahead cake in the sense that you have to make it ahead. After all the careful baking and slow cooling, the cheesecake still needs to chill in the fridge and finish setting up for at least four hours or (ideally) overnight.

Should I cover no-bake cheesecake in the fridge? ›

No-bake cheesecakes should be stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and prevent spoilage. Here are some tips for storing no-bake cheesecakes: Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any odors from other foods in the fridge.

Which is better baked cheesecake or no-bake? ›

Personal preference plays a significant role in choosing between no-bake and baked cheesecake. No-bake cheesecakes are quick, easy, and perfect for those who prefer a lighter, chilled dessert. On the other hand, baked cheesecakes require more time and effort but offer a more classic, rich, and decadent experience.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in cheesecake? ›

A combination of half-and-half and butter makes the best all-around heavy cream substitute. Both heavy cream and half-and-half are made from cream — the distinction is that half-and-half is a mixture of cream and milk and has about a third as much as fat.

Can I put my no-bake cheesecake in the freezer to set? ›

For a sturdy no-bake cheesecake with beautifully neat slices, refrigerate for at least 12 hours. This makes for a great make-ahead dessert! Do not freeze the cheesecake to set it. The filling won't slice and you'll lose the velvet texture!

Can you put a no-bake cheesecake in the freezer to speed up the process? ›

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.

Can I put a cheesecake in the freezer to set? ›

Before you can freeze cheesecake, you must let it cool completely at room temperature and then fully set and chill in the fridge overnight. If you're making a no-bake cheesecake, make sure it's chilled long enough to fully set. Once your cheesecake is chilled, you can wrap it and freeze it as is.

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