Description
This no bake lemon cheesecake is the perfect summer dessert. A smooth, creamy cheesecake filling loaded with real lemon flavor sits atop a sweet vanilla wafer crust. It’s super easy to make and you don’t even have to turn on the oven!
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 1/4 cups (302g) vanilla wafer crumbs
- 2 tbsp (26g) sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 10 tbsp (140g) unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (3–4 lemons)
- 0.25 oz package unflavored gelatin
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 24 oz (678g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
- 2 tbsp (29g) sour cream
- 2 1/2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 3/4 cup (86g) powdered sugar
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/2 cup (58g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the crust
- In a medium bowl, combine the crust ingredients and mix well to combine completely.
- Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set in the fridge to chill.
To make the filling
- In a medium sized bowl, add the lemon juice, sprinkle the powdered gelatin evenly over it and let stand for 4-5 minutes.
- Heat the lemon juice and gelatin in the microwave for 10-20 seconds, until just warm and smooth.
- Stir the sweetened condensed milk into the lemon juice mixture, then set the mixture aside to cool to room temperature.
- In a large mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until well combined and smooth.
- Add the sour cream and lemon zest and mix until well combined and smooth.
- Add the cooled lemon juice mixture and mix until well combined and smooth. Set mixture aside.
- In another large mixer bowl, add the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in two parts until well combined.
- Add the filling to the crust and spread into an even layer.
To set and finish the cheesecake
- Refrigerate cheesecake until firm, 5-6 hours or overnight.
- Remove it from the springform pan and set on a plate or serving platter.
- Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract for the whipped cream topping to a large mixer bowl. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Pipe swirls of whipped cream around the edge of the cheesecake. Top the cheesecake off with your desired toppings, such as fresh fruit. I used lemon slices, raspberries and mint leave.
- Refrigerate cheesecake until ready to serve. Cheesecake is best for 4-5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 456
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 241.8 mg
- Fat: 32.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37.6 g
- Protein: 6.3 g
- Cholesterol: 96 mg