Posted September 7, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

This No-Bake Cheesecake is a delightful and popular summer dessert that doesn’t require any baking. From the crust to the creamy whipped cheesecake center, this dessert is 100% no-bake. Don’t forget to add the Strawberry Sauce for an extra special touch.

If you enjoy no-bake desserts like Chocolate Lasagna or our Berry Trifle, you’ll definitely love this No-Bake Cheesecake.

The Best No-Bake Cheesecake

During a trip to Maui, we had the pleasure of dining at a fancy restaurant called Monkey Pod. The food was incredible, but the highlight was definitely the slice of strawberry cream pie we shared at the end of our meal. It was tall, beautiful, incredibly smooth, and cost $10 per slice! Naturally, I asked the waitress about it, and she mentioned that they used a mixture of mascarpone and whipped cream to achieve that amazing texture. Intrigued, I decided to experiment and create my own version.

The original cheesecake pie at Monkey Pod had a baked crust, which I tried, but I couldn’t resist using this no-bake crust instead. It’s incredibly easy to make, just as tasty, and ensures that this dessert remains truly no-bake. Most graham cracker crusts require pre-baking, but the butter in this recipe holds the crust together without needing any baking.

Ingredients

We carefully tested these ingredient proportions until we achieved the perfect consistency for a no-bake cheesecake. The result is a sliceable, light, and decadent dessert that’s a breeze to make.

• Graham Cracker Crumbs – You can either buy pre-crushed crumbs or crush your own graham crackers.
• Butter – This moistens the crumbs and helps them stick together in the pan.
• Cream Cheese – Provides a classic cheesecake flavor.
• Sugar – We use granulated sugar to add just the right amount of sweetness.
• Heavy Whipping Cream – Make sure to use heavy cream with the correct fat content to ensure the cheesecake sets properly.
• Mascarpone – This is a crucial ingredient that enhances the flavor and texture of the cheesecake. It gives it that restaurant-quality taste.
• Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice adds a refreshing touch, cutting through the sweetness and balancing the flavors.

Pro Tip: Ensure the ingredients are at the proper temperature. Keep the heavy cream and mascarpone chilled in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. Soften the cream cheese at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours to avoid lumps in the creamy cheesecake.

Tools you will need

• A 9″ springform pan with 3-inch walls is ideal for this recipe.
• Parchment paper – Adding a round of parchment paper to the bottom of the springform pan makes it easier to remove the cake from the mold once it’s set.

The Best Cookies for a Crumb Crust

You can use a variety of sweet and crunchy cookies for a crumb crust, each providing a unique flavor profile. While we used graham crackers in this recipe, the following options will also work well:

• Graham Crackers
• Biscoff Cookies
• Vanilla Wafers
• Chocolate Oreo Cookies (cream removed)

Pro Tip: To crush the cookies, place them in a zip bag, remove the excess air, and crush them using a rolling pin. Alternatively, you can pulse them in a food processor until fine crumbs form, and then follow the instructions in the print-friendly recipe below.

How to Make No-Bake Cheesecake

We adore no-bake cheesecakes, especially during the summer when we prefer to avoid heating up the oven. However, they are equally fantastic all year round. The best part is that you can prepare them in advance and even freeze them (see instructions below).

• Combine crushed cookies with sugar and melted butter, then press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan. Chill the crust.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
• In a separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in mascarpone.
• Fold the cream cheese mixture into the mascarpone mixture, and then gradually fold in lemon juice.
• Spread the cheesecake filling over the crust, cover, and refrigerate until set.

Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the no-bake cheesecake (including the crust, filling, and syrup) up to 3 days in advance. Simply cover it and store it in the refrigerator. This is perfect for easy entertaining.

Can I substitute mascarpone?

Just like in a tiramisu, mascarpone helps the cream set properly, giving the cheesecake its thick and sliceable texture. It not only adds flavor but also acts as a stabilizer, so I don’t recommend substituting it.

Can you Freeze a No-Bake Cheesecake?

This dessert is great for preparing ahead of time and freezes beautifully. However, make sure to let it set in the refrigerator before freezing. I prefer to keep it in the springform pan for freezing.

• To Freeze: Wrap the cheesecake with several layers of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
• To Thaw: Place the frozen cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight. It will taste just as good as a fresh no-bake cheesecake. Alternatively, you can enjoy it partially frozen for a delightful ice cream cake-like experience.

Cheesecake Toppings

A delicious topping adds the perfect finishing touch to a cheesecake, enhancing the flavors and keeping things interesting. Here are some of our favorite cheesecake toppings:

• Fresh Cherry Sauce – Tastes like cherry pie filling.
• Strawberry Sauce – Also great on pancakes.
• Caramel Sauce – Easy to make using pantry staples.
• Fresh Berries – Add seasonal berries for a burst of freshness.
• Stone Fruit – Slice nectarines, plums, or apricots for a unique twist.

Have you ever tried making a no-bake cheesecake? It’s incredibly easy and delicious, and it might just spoil you for baked cheesecakes forever. I’d also love to hear about your favorite summer dessert in the comments below.