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.
Table of Contents
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.
- Beat the cream until stiff peaks form, before adding it to the cream cheese filling. This will ensure a thicker cheesecake.
- 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.
Line a springform pan with parchment paper Press the graham cracker crust into the springform pan Beat the cream cheese mixture until smooth Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese
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!
More lemon desserts you’ll love!
- Strawberry Lemonade Cake Recipe
- Easy Homemade Pink Lemonade Recipe
- Cream Cheese-Filled Blueberry Lemon Bread
- Frosted Lemon Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
Real Deal No Bake Lemon Cheesecake
written by Ashley Fehr
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.
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, beat the heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form. Add the whipped cream to the bowl with the cream cheese and use a spatula to gently fold it together, being careful not to deflate the cream.
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Penny says
I made this twice and had lovely comments on its creaminess and they requested the recipe
So quick and easy plus delicious
I love not using gelatine
I used 1 tab lemon juice plus zest and 2 tab passion fruit.
Added passion fruit on cream topping
My new “go to” recipe thank you
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Penny! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this review!
Guadalupe Resendiz says
This no bake lemon cheesecake is delicious!!! I’ve made it lots of times!! My fam loves it!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this review!
Maria says
Hi!! I made this it was really good. The only thing is, when i cut out each slice the crust doesnt come out as easily as I would like. Why do this happen?
Thank you!!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Maria! I would weigh the graham crumbs or make sure they are not packed into the cup. If there are more graham crumbs then the butter will not be able to hold the crust together as well.
Kelsie says
This looks yummy! I want to make this for Father’s day. Do you use salted or unsalted butter for the graham cracker crust?
Ashley Fehr says
I use unsalted but either will work. If you use salted you may want to add a tablespoon of sugar
Dell Causseaux says
Would it work to use cool whip for the whi cream? And if so do you have any idea how much?
Ashley Fehr says
It might, but I don’t think it would be as firm as homemade whipped cream so your cheesecake might not slice properly. You would likely add a cup or two.
Dell Causseaux says
Ashley, I’m not going to say I’m lazy, I’m going to say I’m tired because I’m78 and always look for shortcuts.LOL! I made this recipe using pre-made shortbread crust instead of graham cracker(only because I accidently picked up the wrong one), and I did use one 8 ounce container of store brand cool whip type whip cream. And I did add a little extra lemon just because I love lemon flavor. The remainder, I stuck strictly to your recipe. It came out absolutely delicious and sliced beautifully!! Each slice standing on its on..no runny cheesecake here!! It was awesome!!! I will definitely be making this often. I would send a picture, but it just didn’t last that long!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Dell! I think shortcuts are totally necessary sometimes!
Jane says
Love it when someone posts a recipe then people post how they changed it.
Margie says
Instead of using graham crackers, can I use something else and is it the same measurements?
Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, you can use any dry cookie crumbs, the same amount 🙂
Barb says
Can you just pour this filling into a premade pie crust, if you don’t have a springform pan?
Amanda S Sanne says
I would bet you totally could. I just made the filling only with no crust to be more of a “mousse” and it turned out awesome!
Ashley Fehr says
Yep! But you will easily fill two pie crusts with the full recipe
Jomama says
Your “tips” say you don’t need to pre-whip the shipping cream, but then the directions say to whip the cream before folding it into the cream cheese mixture. Super unclear.
Jomama says
*whipping cream
Ashley Fehr says
I apologize. The recipe has overgone some improvements and the recipe was recently changed. It is all correct now!
Lenore Neuharth says
Hi Ashley! Have you ever tried using regular granulated sugar instead of the powdered sugar?
Ashley Fehr says
I don’t in no bake cheesecakes because the powdered sugar acts as a thickener which helps them to set nicely
Lenore says
Thanks, Ashley. That makes sense. And, yes, I’ve made this twice since my husband came home with a bag full of lemons! I prefer to freeze it and then let it set at room temp for maybe 10 minutes before cutting it. Thanks for the wonderful recipe. One more question……..have you ever substituted full fat evaporated milk for the whipping cream?
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lenore! Evaporated milk definitely cannot be substituted in this case as it does not whip
Peri says
Trying the recipe, right now. I had a box of lemon up Girl Scout cookies that I’m trying for the crust and making individual servings in a muffin tin! Wish me luck! 🤞🏼
I’d love to follow you and see more recipes, but I’m having an issue with pop-up ads covering half of the recipe/video. Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with this? Even using the x to close it doesn’t help. Another (larger) ad takes its place. Computer instead of tablet? 🤷🏼♀️😒
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sorry to hear that Peri! Once the ad is closed, another should not pop up. I have tried it out on my phone and haven’t had any issues with closing the pop up.
Dorothy says
Made this no bake lemon cheesecake yesterday and my family loved it,,soooo yummmy😋 thank you for sharing your recipe…
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dorothy!
Lyn Christiansen says
Am I missing something here or what? Looked everywhere for the gelatin in the recipe and couldn’t find anything about it. So, just where does it come into this cheesecake, I really want to know
Ashley Fehr says
The recipe has been improved since the original, which had gelatin in it. This recipe does not have gelatin in it
Angela says
How come no sugar is added to the graham cracker crumbs? Is that correct it’s just graham cracker crumbs and butter?
Ashley Fehr says
That is correct. If it’s really important to you you can add some.
Joanne Wiebe says
Hi. Made your no bake lemon cheesecake. It turned out to be cheesecake soup 😔
I followed your video and directions. The one difference is I used a stand mixer rather than a hand mixer. I was very disappointed. I ended up whipping more whipping cream and folding it into the lemon cheesecake batter.
Any ideas of what went wrong? Thanks! Joanne
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sorry to hear that Joanne! The stand mixer shouldn’t make a difference, as long as it was whipping at high speed until thick and fluffy. Was it soupy before chilling? Because the long chill in the fridge really does make a difference. It sounds like maybe you adding more cream before pouring it into the crust?
Kerry Rousselle says
I made this to take to a dinner party last evening and it was a hit! I want to add that it was my very first time making any type of cheesecake, so the fact that it turned out enough to take to dinner, was a bonus….brave or just crazy!! Lol! Anyways, I’m very happy with the results! BTW, I used Greek yogurt, but no gelatin and it was perfectly fine.
Cheers!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kerry! I’m so glad it turned out well for you!
Jennifer says
I don’t know what went wrong, but I could not get this to whip up thick for the life of me. I used the beater attachment for about 10 minutes and then switched to the whisk attachment. Whisked it on high for probably another 20 minutes total. Tried adding more powdered sugar. At the end I even tried meringue powder to no avail. It still had the consistency of melted ice cream. I finally just poured it into a premade crust and stuck it in the fridge over night. Today it has the consistency of pudding and a vague powdery flavor/texture from the extra sugar and meringue powder. My kids will still enjoy it even so. But I’d still love to know what went wrong! I added the right amounts of zest, lemon juice, and about 1/2 tsp of Boyajian lemon oil. Could it have been the oil? I’ve used it in whipped cream, frosting, and baked cheesecake before without any problems.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Jennifer! I’m sorry that happened! I don’t think such a small amount of oil would make a difference. There are a few things that can cause a thinner filling. I would check the fat and water content of your cream cheese, to ensure that it is full fat and I’ve found that store brand varieties sometimes have a higher water content than name brand. I would check to make sure that your cream is heavy cream and at least 30-35% fat. The high fat content is needed to get a thick fluffy filling!
Melanie says
I’m really glad have made an updated recipe without the gelatin. Members of my family don’t eat pork for religious reasons and gelatin does contain some. Hopefully I’ll be able to successfully attempt this when the weather gets warmer
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Melanie! I’m all about making things simpler and easier to enjoy!
Evy says
Hi I really liked the original recipe with gelatin & yogurt. I made it last year for thanksgiving and wanted to do it again this year. I saw you updated the recipe. Could you please share the amount needed for each ingredient? Thanks!
Samantha A Jones says
What happened to the original recipe????
Ashley Fehr says
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup butter (melted). Filling: juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup (zest it before juicing!)), 1 package unflavored gelatin (about 7g), 2 packages light cream cheese (16oz), 1 cup vanilla 0% Greek yogurt, zest of 1 lemon (or 2 lemons for big lemon flavor!), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 1/4 cup powdered icing sugar, 1 cup whipping cream (not whipped)
Amanda says
Please include the directions from the original recipe. I bookmarked this long ago and have made it multiple times off the old recipe and would prefer to stick with that version. My fault for not writing down the original. Thank you.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Amanda! If you send me an email I will see if I can dig it up.
Jim Poage says
I believe I missed something. When you add yogurt, how much and do you reduce the cream cheese? Same with gelatin; how much and does it change any other measurements? Feel like I failed to click on alternative recipe but looked for it 3 times.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sorry about the confusion! I’ve updated the post to make it clearer, but I’m in the process of updating and simplifying the recipe. If you follow the recipe in the recipe card, that is the new and improved version.
Jim Poage says
Sorry but where do I find the recipe catd?
Ashley Fehr says
Below the post and above the comment section
Sofia says
Hi! I just wanted to be sure that the 1/2 cup of melted butter is the right amount in grams 115?
Thanks 😊
Ashley Fehr says
Yes it is correct 🙂
Pam N. says
Am making this for Hubby’s 60th Birthday. Is cream cheese at room temperature or cold?
Ashley Fehr says
You’ll want the cream cheese at room temperature to beat it, then chilled before serving.
Alyssa says
Hello! Do you happen know what I’d need to do to make this in a 9×13 pan? Would just doing 1.5x the recipe work, or will it need to be doubled?
Ashley Fehr says
I think you could stick with the original recipe for a 9×13 pan but they would be a little shorter like bars. 1.5x the recipe should work too!
Josue Charles says
What is the consistency of this cheesecake with the gelatin incorporated?
Josue Charles says
Is it like Jello or does it hold form to a standard Juniors Cheesecake cheesecake? I’ve never had a cheesecake with gelatin before, I would like to make this.
Ashley Fehr says
It just helps it keep its shape, it does not have the consistency of Jello. Let me know if you try it!
Libby says
Is there anything I can substitute for the Greek yogurt? I just can’t handle the taste. Sour cream maybe?
Ashley Fehr says
You could use sour cream, but it will be pretty tangy! I would try using a little less (it shouldn’t change the texture much)
peighton says
Are you using plain gelatin or lemon gelatin?
Ashley Fehr says
plain gelatin