Easy No-Bake Cheesecake
It’s been years since I’ve had this particular no bake cheesecake. I was trying to explain it to my hubby one day and he had no idea what I was talking about. He’s only had the kind of cheesecake that was baked or the fluffy kind with cool whip. I was so excited to introduce him to this baby. Needless to say he loved it and told me to make it again.
Growing up, my grandmother use to make these no-baked cheesecakes for Sunday dinners when she was pressed for time. Â She’d usually just crack open a can of cherries or blueberries for the topping and dessert was ready.
She eventually starting selling these cheesecakes to make some extra money around the holiday time. They were a huge hit. Â Everybody loved them and wanted them for special occasions. If only folks knew how easy they were to make!
It’s hard to believe that this no-bake cheesecake comes together with just 4 simple ingredients. It’s rich, creamy, sweet and tart. The perfect end to dinner or when you just need a yummy  pick-me-up after a crazy day at work.
Let me tell ya though, this cheesecake can be “moody”! Seriously it’s one of those recipes like these no-bake cookies that is sworn to not set right if you the weather is damp outside. I find this cheesecake doesn’t set as firm with brands of cream cheese other than Philadelphia.
*Update* If you’re nervous about taking a “risk” then try out this other no-bake cheesecake. I’ve since coined it my new favorite no-bake cheesecake!
Click here for my homemade Nilla cookie pie crust that goes GREAT with this recipe!
Watch me make this Easy No Bake Cheesecake from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Easy No-Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz packs cream cheese, room temperature
- 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, Update: I now use 2 Tablespoons. See note
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 prepared pie crust, cookie crust
- Topping, fresh fruits, canned cherries, etc
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Beat in lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared pie crust.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.
- Add topping when ready to serve.
Notes
Use any kind of toppings you'd like (canned cherries or blueberries, fresh fruits, nuts or just enjoy it plain! After making this cheesecake for many years, the last two times I've made it the cheesecake did not firm up. What's up with that? Well my grandmother told me to use only 2-4 Tablespoons of lemon juice. She said sometimes if there is too much lemon juice it can react badly with the rest of the ingredients if something is wrong with one of the other ingredients (old condensed milk, over softened cream cheese, etc.) I've never heard of this before in my life but I figured it must be the other ingredients since all of a sudden this recipe stopped working for me. I cut down on the lemon juice to 2 tablespoons and it's been coming out perfect! Also she says use only Philadelphia cream cheese. Just thought I'd share in case this recipe starts acting funny on ya!
I just made two of these and I’m a bit disappointed. First, the title is misleading. This does not taste like cheesecake, but rather a typical lemon ice box pie made with sweetened condensed milk. Had I known the lemon flavor was going to be so strong, I wouldn’t have made it. We all wanted cheesecake, and this certainly is not it. The lemon is so strong, that you can’t taste any cream cheese at all.
Secondly, it doesn’t set as firm as other no bake cream cheese pies. It’s doable, but could be more firm. I appreciate the effort and you sharing, but sorry Diva, this recipe is my first flop from you. However, as a lemon pie, this gets high marks. It just wasn’t what I was looking for. Every family gathering we make lemon meringue/ ice box pie and we wanted something different this time, but we got the same thing….oh the irony lol.
I think we all have different tastes. This recipe for no bake cheesecake is my 12 year olds favorite dessert! They make a similar one at our local health food market it but this one is even better! I think if you want it firmer and less lemony, use heavy whipping cream, sugar and less lemon juice. Love the diva’s recipes and her super sweet personality!
I also had a poor result. Although the pie tasted fabulous, it never “set” – the pieces came out as messy scoops. I followed the recipe exactly.
I Love this recipe, my daughter wanted a Skittles cheesecake for her birthday. I figured the baked ones wouldn’t be good for skittles so looked for a non bake version. I added 1 1/2 packets of skittles when I added the vanilla and lemon. The colour ran a little but it looked awesome and tasted fantastic. Thanks for the recipe.
can you do this cheese cake with out the lemon juice?
Hey, Emily!
I’m making it right now without the lemon juice and so far, it tastes good. I also be adding yellow cake mix from another one of DCC’s recipes. =)
I love the cheese cake…. Very easy and quick….and delicious…. I only use one table spoon of lemon juice…. Not too lemony then but with a slight kick… I also use single service jars…. And add graham craker butter mix to the bottom… Sets enough for them and looks great… Suitable for parties
my mom and I have made this recipe. for years, sometimes I vary it a little-(sour cream to the mix) keep the lemon low/zest if using fresh lemon, and I do not use vanilla extract. THE weather will effect the set-up. I have my moms cook book from high school- she grad. in 1955 the recipe is in it (Betty Crocker)
Diva, you hit it out of the park with this recipe! I LOVE cheesecake, but baking it from scratch is such a hassle. And (until today) I never cared for the no bake version b/c I assumed they all pretty much tasted like Jello’s no bake cheesecake. But I came across your version….and it absolutely blew me away! It’s SOOOO yummy that even my super picky bf devoured it, lol. Thanks for this incredible cheesecake and now that I know about your blog, I’m looking forward to trying more of your recipes
I love the the recipe for the no bake cheesecake simple and very helpful