Rich And Creamy No Bake Cheesecake

Zoha Malik

by Zoha Malik

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Rated 5.00 out of 5

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If you have ever wanted the indulgence of a baked New York Cheesecake without the effort, this No Bake Cheesecake is exactly what you need. Unlike most no bake cheesecakes which have a light, mousse-like texture, this cheesecake has the rich, dense texture of a baked cheesecake thanks to a higher ratio of cream cheese. It is slightly tangy from a hint of lemon, perfectly sweet, and slices up cleanly with a thick and crispy graham cracker crust. And it takes only 15 minutes of work, a handful of simple ingredients (no gelatin, no condensed milk, no eggs), and no baking!

A slice of creamy, best no-bake cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sliced strawberry, sits on a white plate.

How it works

How does a cheesecake set without eggs, gelatin, or white chocolate? A lot of full-fat cream cheese, and a little whipped cream folded into the batter! This adds just enough fat and air into the mix that chilling overnight will set it up like magic (or like butter). I have tested versions with more whipped cream, but I find that these quantities create the ideal rich, tangy flavor and texture that screams cheesecake. It is also not too sweet, and uses vanilla bean paste (you can sub extract), sour cream and lemon (optional) to complement the cream cheese.

The type of cream cheese matters!

Because this recipe has no gelatin, it relies heavily on the amount of fat in the cream cheese for the cheesecake to set. This only works well if you use full-fat cream cheese that comes in blocks, like Philadelphia. Low fat cream cheese, cream cheese spreads, or cream cheese in tubs won’t work as well, and the cheesecake will have a softer texture. If that’s all you can find, I recommend assembling it in a pie dish and serving from that.

A creamy no-bake cheesecake topped with whipped cream and halved strawberries, with one slice being served on a pie server. The cake sits on a decorative white plate.

Step by step photos

Here are the steps with photos to show you how you can make this simple no bake cheesecake with less than 15 minutes of work. More detailed instructions are provided in the recipe card below.

hand using measuring cup to press down the cheesecake crust inside the springform pan

Blitz the Graham Crackers until they turn into a fine crumb, and mix in the melted butter and salt. Transfer to a 9″ springform pan lined with parchment paper.

cheesecake crust packed down tightly in a springform pan

Tightly pack the crust using the back of a measuring cup. Refrigerate while you make the filling.

Note: This recipe makes for a very thick crust (which I like!), but if you don’t want that, you can also push some of the crumbs up the edge of the cheesecake pan. This will still give you ample crust, but it won’t be as thick on the bottom.

cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt in a glass mixing bowl

For the filling, add room temperature cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla into the bowl of your stand mixer.

cream cheese and sugar mixed until creamy and thick in a glass bowl

Use the paddle attachment to whisk until the sugar dissolves and you have a creamy mixture (about 2 minutes).

sour cream and lemon juice added to cream cheese and sugar mixture in a glass bowl

Add the lemon juice and sour cream.

sour cream and cream cheese combined into a creamy mixture

Whisk again until just combined. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure the ingredients are mixed properly.

heavy cream whipped to stiff peaks in a glass bowl

In a separate bowl, whip up cold heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks.

thick and creamy and fluffy no bake cheesecake filling in a glass bowl

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cheesecake filling using a rubber spatula until combined.

no bake cheesecake filling poured on top of crust inside springform pan

Transfer the cheesecake filling into the pan with the chilled crust, and press down with a spatula to remove air pockets.

no bake cheesecake ready to go into fridge to set

Spread the filling evenly. Cover the pan with cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours) to set.

Once the cheesecake is set, carefully remove it from the pan, decorate with whipped cream and fresh berries. Now just slice, serve, and enjoy!

A slice of the best no-bake cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a strawberry slice, served on a ceramic plate with a gold fork beside it.

Make it your own!

Not only is this recipe delicious on its own, it also creates a very versatile base you can create different flavors with by simply changing the crust or adding a topping! Some of my personal favorite variations include:

  • Upgrade the cream and berries on top to a berry compote, like the strawberry compote on my Strawberry Cheesecake
  • A salted caramel source on top just like the one I use on top of my Salted Caramel Cheesecake (in this case, swap the graham crackers for biscoff cookies!)
  • A lemon curd to lean into the tangy flavor, like the used in this Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
A close-up of the best no-bake cheesecake on a white cake stand, topped with swirls of whipped cream and sliced strawberries. A slice has been removed, revealing the creamy filling and graham cracker crust.

Final tips before you make it

While this is an “easy” recipe, some people still struggle with getting their no-bake cheesecake perfect. Here are my best tips for you:

  1. Make sure to pack the crust tightly. Since the crust isn’t baked, packing it tightly will help ensure it is crispy and doesn’t crumble
  2. Use high quality, full-fat cream cheese. I’ve said this before but it’s important enough to say again!
  3. Bring the cream cheese and sour cream to room temperature. Take them out of the fridge 1-2 hour before using
  4. Avoid overmixing the filling. Cream cheese is hygroscopic, meaning it can actually become more runny if it is whisked for too long. Whisk only as long as needed to ensure the ingredients are combined, but not any longer
  5. Scrape the edges and bottom of the bowl throughout! This ensures you don’t end up with lumps of unmixed cream cheese in your filling
  6. Do not overwhip the heavy cream. Stop whisking as soon as the heavy cream reaches stiff peaks. Whisking longer will cause it to split and become grainy
  7. Use high quality vanilla! I strongly recommend using vanilla bean paste, as it has seeds and a much richer flavor
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A slice of no-bake cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a strawberry slice, served on a ceramic plate with a gold fork beside it.

Rich And Creamy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe

by Zoha Malik

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 stars from 24 reviews

Super easy, ultra rich no-bake cheesecake, New York style! Takes only 15 minutes of work: no gelatin, no eggs, no water bath, no fuss.

Yield:10-12 servings

Prep Time:
15 mins
Chilling Time:
6 hrs
Total Time:
6 hrs, 15 mins

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 200g Graham Crackers or Wheat Digestives (about 13–14 sheets full sheets of graham crackers)
  • 90g unsalted butter, melted (slightly more than 6 tbsp)
  • Pinch of salt

Cheesecake filling:

  • 800g cream cheese (28 oz or 3.5 8 oz packs), room temperature
  • 150g granulated sugar (3/4 cup)
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2–4 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste – optional, but recommended
  • 120g sour cream (1/2 cup), room temperature
  • 120g heavy cream (1/2 cup), chilled

Decoration (optional):

  • 120g heavy cream (1/2 cup), chilled and whipped to stiff peaks
  • Fresh berries

Instructions

Crust:

  1. Prepare a 9″ springform pan. Lightly brush softened butter inside the pan and line it with parchment paper (I recommend a parchment circle on the base, and a separate strip of parchment along the sides of the pan)
  2. Grind the graham crackers in a food processor until they form a fine crumb (you can also use a pestle or rolling pin if you don’t have a food processor). Add the melted butter and salt, and blitz again to combine. The mixture will still be crumbly, which is ok
  3. Transfer the crust ingredients to the pan, and tightly pack them down using the back of a large spoon or a measuring cup. The tighter you do this, the crispier the crust will be, so take your time!
  4. Place the pan in the fridge to refrigerate the crust while you work on the filling

Cheesecake filling:

  1. Add the room temperature cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla to the bowl of your stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer). Use the paddle attachment to mix at medium speed about about ~2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula 1-2 times along the way
  2. Add in the sour cream and lemon juice, and whisk until just combined – scrape the bowl again
  3. In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer to whisk the heavy cream until it reaches stiff peaks (meaning it holds shape). Take care not to overmix as that can cause the cream to split and become grainy
  4. Add the whipped cream to the cheesecake mixer, and gently fold it in using a rubber spatula. Only mix until just combined – the mixture will be quite thick and fluffy! 
  5. Remove the pan from the fridge and add the cheesecake filling on top of the crust. Use a spatula to press down the filling to remove any air pockets, then spread it out evenly
  6. Cover the pan with cling wrap on top (shouldn’t touch the surface of the cheesecake) and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours) until fully set
  7. Once set, carefully remove the cheesecake from the pan. Using the parchment paper on the bottom and the sides will make this easier, and you should be able to peel it off. To transfer the cheesecake from the base of the pan to a serving stand, use two larger spatulas and some help! When the crust is chilled, it is pretty firm which makes this easier

Decoration (optional):

  1. Whip up the heavy cream until it forms medium-stiff peaks and transfer it to a piping bag with a star piping tip of choice
  2. Use a knife to mark impressions where you think the slices will go on the cheesecake. Then pipe a dollop of whipped cream on the edge of each slice, and place a berry on top to garnish
  3. Serve & enjoy!

Video Tutorial

Notes

  • Crust: This cheesecake has a thick crust. If you don’t like a thick crust, you can reduce the crust quantity, or push it up the sides of the pan in addition to the bottom to spread it out more
  • Sour cream substitute: Sour cream adds incredible flavor and texture to cheesecake. However, if it is not available where you live, you can substitute it with full-fat yogurt 
  • Make ahead and storage: This cheesecake is great to make ahead as it’s chilled before serving anyway! Covered with cling wrap, it stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend adding the decoration right before serving, though. 
  • Freezing: You can also freeze this cheesecake in an airtight container up to 3 months. Let it defrost in the fridge overnight before enjoying

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Comments

  1. Asma @ Bake with Zoha

    And so easy too. Thank you for trying and liking this recipe. 🙌

  2. Asma @ Bake with Zoha

    So glad that you tried and liked this recipe. 🙂

  3. Asma Shahid

    you really deserve a 5 *

    1. Mahum khan

      amazing and easiest recipe ❤️

    2. Asma @ Bake with Zoha

      Thanks Asma. So glad that you feel this way. Wish to always live upto your expectations. 👍

  4. Cy.

    Zoha’s recipes are always a hit 🩷

    1. Asma @ Bake with Zoha

      Thank you so much for the trust you show. Hope to always meet your expectations. 🙂

  5. Danna

    It was soooo good and creamy, definitely the best I’ve ever tried, and they’re many!

    1. Zoha Malik

      YAY thank you so so much!

      1. kitkat

        Hi, can I leave out the sour cream?

        1. Zoha Malik

          No, you cannot as it is an important ingredient.

  6. Prinika Prasad

    Thank you Zoha for sharing the yummy, perfect recipe. My cheesecake for Father’s Day was a hit! Everyone loved it thanks to you. Looking forward to baking more of your yummy recipes.
    Requesting if you could also give some tips on how to work with whipped cream frosting. Thanks again!
    New Zealand.

  7. Elyaelyana

    Hi Zoha!

    Can this recipe be halves by using 6” pan? Thanks

    1. Zoha

      Yup, that will work!

  8. Hercules

    Best recipes ever, thank you so much

  9. Alex

    Hi there – I’m making this for a crowd and am wondering if I can increase proportions to fit in a 9×13 or even a 13×17 pan? Thanks so much!

  10. Paul

    Great recipe, thank you, Zoha. I’m in the UK and I’ve made your recipe twice now. The first time I used supermarket’s own brand cream cheese, although whipped, he cheesecake turned out fine once chilled, if a little soft. The second time, I used Philadelphia tubbed. (blocks just aren’t available here, it seems) The result was true cheesecake perfection, thanks again!

  11. Khush

    Hi, I’m in the UK and we don’t have block cream cheese available. Do you think i’ll get similar results with Philadelphia soft cream cheese?

    1. Zoha

      Unfortunately no, you won’t get the same results. Use whichever cream cheese you can find with the highest fat content. I know there’s a tub version of philadelphia cream cheese. You’ll get close enough 🙂

  12. Nanajee Travels

    I just read about this no-bake cheesecake, and it sounds absolutely fantastic! The promise of a rich, creamy, and indulgent dessert that’s also quick to prepare is incredible. With just 15 minutes of effort and fewer than 10 ingredients, this cheesecake seems like it’s set to rival even classic New York-style versions. It’s a brilliant, time-saving option for anyone looking to enjoy a top-notch dessert without the fuss.

    1. Zoha

      Very well summarized 😉 Thank you!

  13. Prajakta

    The creamiest, dreamiest no bake cheesecake I have ever ever made. Great flavor balance too. This recipe was perfect, well written, with clear instructions. You’re a star! Thank you so much.

    1. Zoha

      Thank you SO much!!!!!

  14. Aasha Thomas

    Hi Zoha,
    Guess what – I made this cheesecake and added minced gulab jamuns in the cheesecake filling and decorated the top of the cake with half cut jamuns in place of the strawberry slices. I also added a litte bit of the jamun sugar syrup to the crust. The gulab jamun cheesecake was such a hit! But you deserve most of the credit. The recipe is yours 🙂
    -Aasha

    1. Zoha

      Omg! Wow. That is so creative and my mouth is honestly watering now :’) Thanks for the wonderful idea!

  15. Zoha

    AHHHH so happy to read this! Thank you!

    1. Anushay waqas

      surely Gonna make it looks so silky n yummy

  16. Arlene Gregory

    I made this today looks great I also made your baked cheesecake for a dinner party I hosted and everyone said it was the creaminess delicious cheesecake they have tasted and It didn’t Crack as I followed your recipe to a T.Cant wait to try this no baked one tomorrow, Thankyou so much ?

    1. Noor

      delicious 😋

    2. Anas Naseem

      Hi zoha
      I want to try this no bake recipe but I want blueberry flavour but I wanted to add blueberry compote inside the base and on top both can you help me that If I add blueberry in filling should I add some gelatin powder in the recipe to set it properly kindly help
      love your recipes

    3. Zoha

      AMAZINGG!! So happy you enjoyed this cheesecake 🙂 And you will love the no bake one too – it’s very similar in flavor ❤️

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