No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

Name: Real Deal No Bake Lemon Cheesecake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs ((375g)); 1/2 cup butter (melted); 3 packages cream cheese ((24oz or 750g total) full fat); 1 1/2 cups powdered icing sugar; 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice ((about 1 lemon)); zest of 2 lemons ((1 if you want a milder flavor)); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream (30-35% fat ONLY)

written by Ashley Fehr

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Prep Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Servings 12 servings

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This No Bake Lemon Cheesecake is made with lemon juice and zest and no artificial flavors! It sets and slices perfectly and is even great frozen! Includes step by step recipe video.

no bake lemon cheesecake whole with whipped cream and lemon wedges

If there are two things I love in this world, it’s lemon and cheesecake.

Especially a light, airy, and just tangy enough No Bake Lemon Cheesecake like this one!

As a kid, I didn’t enjoy citrus or lemon desserts very much at all. It seemed wrong that they just weren’t that sweet!

Now that I’m older (more experienced and more mature, I’d like to think 😉 ), my tastes have changed and I much prefer a tangy lemon dessert with the right amount of sweetness over some sugar-laden cake with several inches of frosting.

If you feel the same, I know you’ll love this Lemon Cheesecake, and you might also enjoy these Lemon Cheesecake Bars, this Lemon Icebox Pie, or this Easy Lemon Meringue Pie recipe!

How to make No Bake Lemon Cheesecake:

This No Bake Lemon Cheesecake is easy to make, but there are a few important steps and tips I’m going to highlight here — see the full instructions down below.

Make sure your cream cheese is room temperature — this ensure your cheesecake will be smooth and creamy with no lumps!
Beat your cream cheese first to make sure it’s smooth, before adding the sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla.
Add the cream (no pre-whipping required!), and beat on low until it’s incorporated, but don’t stop there. Beat with an electric mixer on high until the filling is thick and fluffy. This might take a few minutes, but if you don’t do it you may end up with cheesecake soup, and no one wants that.
Taste before you add it to the crust — this way you can add more lemon or more sugar if you prefer!
Pour it in the crust, and let it chill overnight if you can, but at least 6 hours. If you don’t let it chill thoroughly, you won’t be able to slice it.

no bake lemon cheesecake slice being pulled out with lemons in the background

How to store No Bake Lemon Cheesecake:

You can store in this prepared Lemon Cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (make sure your ingredients are as fresh as possible when you start!).

You can also freeze this Lemon Cheesecake as a whole (I recommend leaving any whipped cream topping off of the cheesecake until serving if you are going to freeze it), or in individual slices for a quick treat.

If you want, you can even serve this cheesecake partially frozen! I recommend letting sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving so it is nice and creamy.

December 2019 updates to the original recipe from May 2017:

My original No Bake Lemon Cheesecake recipe was made with Greek yogurt and gelatin, but I wanted to simplify the recipe and still get great results.

The new and improved recipe takes no time at all and just a few ingredients! It still has great lemon flavor and is light and fluffy.

I know there are a few people who really loved the original recipe, but I encourage you to give this one a try! It is just as delicious, but fewer ingredients and steps.

In my book, that’s a win!

no bake lemon cheesecake with bite on white plate

More lemon desserts you’ll love!

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Ingredients

Crust

2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (375g)
1/2 cup butter melted

Filling:

3 packages cream cheese (24oz or 750g total) full fat
1 1/2 cups powdered icing sugar
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
zest of 2 lemons (1 if you want a milder flavor)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream (30-35% fat ONLY)

Instructions

Line a 9" Springform pan with parchment paper — optional but makes for easy removal once set!
Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter and press into prepared pan, and about 1/2" up the sides.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla and beat until smooth.
Add whipping cream and beat on low until combined, then beat on high for 3-4 minutes until fluffy and thickened (the mixture should hold stiff peaks on the beaters — see the recipe video for the texture and thickness you are looking for). Taste the filling, and add more sugar or more lemon zest if you want it sweeter or more lemony.
Pour filling into crust, cover and refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours or overnight is even better! Serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Nutrition Information

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Published on December 12, 2019 / Last updated on May 21, 2020