A creamy, tangy no bake lemon cheesecake with a graham cracker crust. This lemon cheesecake is smooth and bursting with lemon flavor, a perfect summer dessert for lemon lovers.
I know summer is ending for a lot of you and you’re headed back to school, but we just got back from a family vacation in Idaho and I’m holding onto summer with my might so you might see a few more summer recipes the next few weeks, starting with this lemon no bake cheesecake.
Ingredients for no bake lemon cheesecake
I think this is one of my all time favorite desserts. Any lemon lovers in your life will absolutely love this dessert. The best part is it only takes a handful of ingredients. Besides a few pantry and fridge staples, you’ll need lemons and lemon curd.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make your own. I did for this recipe, but sometimes I just buy a jar of premade to keep my life easy.
- No bake Graham Cracker Crust (check out my post for all the tips and tricks on making a perfect crust.)
- Cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- powdered sugar
- heavy whipping cream
- fresh lemon zest and juice
- lemon curd
How to make a no bake lemon cheesecake
This recipes makes an 8×8 pan, which will feed 9-12 people, but you can easily double it to feed a crowd.
Start by making the graham cracker crust. When you have that pressed into the pan, refrigerate it while you make the cheesecake layer. You’ll want your cream cheese to be at room temperature before starting, so be sure to set it out a few hours ahead.
Cream the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. I find using a hand mixer or a stand mixer is the easiest. Beat in the lemon juice, zest and lemon curd. Gently fold in the cool whip or whipped cream just until combined.
For the recipe you can use either cool whip or heavy whipping cream. If you choose to use heavy whipping cream, you’ll need to whip it in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form.I’ve used both depending on what I have on hand and how much of a hurry I’m in. I think heavy whipping cream makes for a richer cheesecake.
Spread the filling on top of the crust and chill for 6-8 hours. This makes a great make-ahead dessert because you can make it 2 days in advance, a longer chilling time is better.
When ready to serve, cut into bars and top with lemon curd and additional lemon slices if desired.
No Bake Cheesecake Recipes
Here are some other recipes for no bake cheesecake from my blog that I think you will love too.
- No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
- No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
- No Bake Raspberry Cheesecake
- No Bake Biscoff Cheesecake
- No Bake Nutella Cheesecake
- And a post with all the tips and tricks on how to make the best no bake cheesecake ever.
We love this dessert in the summer, and I’m sure you will too. If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it. Leave me a comment below or give it a rating in the recipe card. Happy Baking (or No Baking 🙂 )
No Bake Lemon Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs finely crushed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
For the Cheesecake
- 16 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- zest and juice of one lemon
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream -OR- 16 ounces Cool Whip
- 1/4 cup lemon curd plus more for serving
Instructions
- Start by making the crust. Stir together the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and sugar. Press into the bottom of a 8x8 baking dish. Refrigerate while you make the filling.
- In a large bowl, beat together the powdered sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the lemon zest and juice.
- If using heavy whipping cream, whip it until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip or whipped cream and the lemon curd. Carefully spread on top of the crust, being careful not to break it.
- Chill for at least 6 hours or up to several days before serving. Before serving, top with additional lemon curd. Store in the refrigerator. Best eaten within a few days.
Notes
Nutrition
Save this recipe for later. Pin the image below on Pinterest.
Here are some other lemon desserts you may enjoy.
Perfect lemon bars
DessertForTwo says
This looks so yummy! Thanks for linking to my lemon curd recipe 🙂
April says
No bake desserts are my jam! This one was really delicious…I made it a day ahead for a family gathering I went to and it was a big hit!
Jennifer says
NEED to make this before summer ends!
Beth Pierce says
Made this for my family and it has instantly become a new family favorite recipe! So easy and delicious!
Katie says
So tasty! Have to make this!