This No Bake Cheesecake Recipe is smooth, creamy, and sets perfectly without the need for baking. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert ideal for holidays, parties, or any time you want a stress-free sweet treat.

No Bake Cheesecake topped with fresh fruit.
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This no bake cheesecake is the ultimate easy dessert. Creamy, smooth, and full of rich flavor without ever turning on the oven. Made with a buttery graham cracker crust and a luscious cream cheese filling, it’s perfect for warm days, busy schedules, or when you just want a stress-free treat.

Whether you top it with fruit, chocolate, or enjoy it plain, this cheesecake is always a crowd-pleaser.

If you love no bake cheesecakes, make sure to check out No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake and No Bake Cherry Cheesecake.

Why We Love This

  • No oven needed. Perfect for hot days or when you want a simple dessert without heating up the kitchen.
  • Quick and easy to make. With minimal prep and just a few basic ingredients, it’s great for beginners and busy schedules.
  • Smooth and creamy texture. The filling is rich, velvety, and perfectly sets in the fridge. No baking required.
  • Customizable. Top it with fresh berries, chocolate sauce, caramel, or your favorite pie filling for endless flavor options.
  • Make-ahead friendly. It stores well in the fridge, making it ideal for holidays, gatherings, or prepping dessert in advance.

Ingredients

Ingredients for cheesecake - graham crackers, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice whipped cream.

Crust

  • Graham crackers. You can crush full graham cracker sheets for the freshest texture or use pre-made graham cracker crumbs for convenience.

Filling

  • Cream cheese. It needs to be at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother, lump-free filling.
  • Sweetened condensed milk. Adds sweetness and creaminess to the cheesecake. You can use store-bought or try making it from scratch using our Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe.
  • Lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor. It adds a light, tangy balance to the richness of the filling.

Variations

  • Fruit topping. Add a layer of fresh berries, fruit compote, or canned pie filling like cherry or blueberry for a fruity twist.
  • Chocolate swirl. Swirl in melted chocolate or Nutella into the filling before chilling for a rich, indulgent version.
  • Mini cheesecakes. Press the crust and filling into muffin liners for individual servings. Great for parties or portion control.
  • Oreo crust. Swap graham crackers for crushed Oreos to add a chocolate cookie base that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling.
  • Citrus twist. Add orange or lime juice and zest instead of lemon for a refreshing citrus variation.
  • Pumpkin spice. Mix a bit of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice into the filling for a fall-inspired treat.

Step By Step Instructions

  • Step 1. Make the Crust – Crush graham crackers in food processor or resealable bag.
Bowl of graham cracker crumbs.

Step 2. Add graham cracker crumbs to large bowl. Stir in sugar.

Butter added to graham cracker crumbs.

Step 3. Mix crumb mixture with melted butter.

Graham cracker mixture pressed into pan.

Step 4. Press firmly into 9 inch springform pan. Allow the crust to chill for at least 20 minutes. I recommend placing in the freezer.

Mixing bowl with filling ingredients being combined.

Step 5. Make the filling. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and creamy. You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer. Then beat in the lemon juice and vanilla until smooth.

Cheesecake filling in crust.

Step 6. Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust and spread evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm.

Cheesecake topped with fruit and being sliced.

Step 7. Serve with toppings of your choice.

Cheesecake being sliced.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the no-bake cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Use plastic wrap or an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors.

Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the cheesecake (without toppings) for up to 1 month. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Serving after storage: If frozen, allow the cheesecake to soften in the refrigerator for several hours before slicing. For best texture, serve chilled, not frozen.

FAQs

How do you make a graham cracker crust?

Making a graham cracker crust from scratch is easy to do. It only requires 3 ingredients and pairs perfectly with the cheesecake filling. We used granulated white sugar in this recipe, but you can easily use brown sugar.

Why is my No Bake Cheesecake not Setting?

To create a firm texture for your no bake cheesecake, you must give it time to set in the refrigerator. I recommend making the cheesecake and letting it set in the refrigerator overnight.

This allows you to not be tempted to take it out to soon.

Expert Tips

  • Crushing the graham crackers. A food processor works best to create fine, even crumbs for the crust. If you don’t have one, place the graham crackers in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until finely ground.
  • Refrigerate until serving. Always keep the cheesecake chilled until you’re ready to serve. This helps the filling stay firm and ensures the best texture.
  • Use softened cream cheese. Room temperature cream cheese blends more easily and creates a smooth, lump-free filling. If you’re short on time, cut the cream cheese into cubes to help it soften faster.
  • Choose pure vanilla extract. For the best flavor, use real vanilla extract rather than imitation. It makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.
  • Serve cold. No-bake cheesecake is best enjoyed cold. For clean slices, use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
  • Let it set fully. Allow the cheesecake to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4–6 hours, or overnight if possible. This gives it time to fully firm up before serving.
Slice of cheesecake on plate.

Cheesecake Toppings

  • Fruit – Fresh fruit is always delicious. We love to cut up strawberries for a great topping idea. Blueberries and blackberries are also tasty.
  • Canned Pie Filling – You can also use canned pie filling. Strawberry and blueberry are delicious. 
  • Drizzle Sauce – We also like to drizzle homemade caramel sauce, hot fudge and chopped pecans on top to make a turtle cheesecake. This is so decadent and amazing.
  • Homemade Whipped Topping – Top with homemade whipped cream and you are set! 
  • Powdered Sugar – When I serve the cheesecake with fruit, I like to dust the top with powdered sugar.
  • More Cheesecake Topping Ideas – If you are looking for even more topping ideas, we have gathered 22 of our favorite Cheesecake Toppings.

More Easy Cheesecake Recipes

Go ahead and make this super Easy No Bake Cheesecake. Once you do, please leave a comment and star recipe rating.

A cheesecake topped with berries and whipped cream.

Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe

5 from 9 votes
This Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe is simple to make, and the results are creamy and delicious. Add your favorite toppings for an amazing dessert!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings 10 – 12
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 552

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Crust:
  • Crush graham crackers in food processor or resealable bag
  • Add crumbs to large bowl
  • Stir in sugar
  • Melt butter in microwave safe bowl
  • Stir into crumb mixture until well combined
  • Press firmly into 9 inch springform pan
  • Chill for 20 minutes
  • Filling:
  • In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and creamy
  • Beat in lemon juice and vanilla until smooth
  • Pour into prepared crust, spread evenly
  • Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm 3-4 hours or overnight
  • Serve with toppings of your choice
  • Refrigerate leftovers

Nutrition Facts

Calories 552kcal, Carbohydrates 53g, Protein 8g, Fat 35g, Saturated Fat 20g, Cholesterol 100mg, Sodium 505mg, Potassium 280mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 35g, Vitamin A 1140IU, Vitamin C 5mg, Calcium 183mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

5 from 9 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Brenda says:

    I have been making this cheesecake for 40 years. A quick, easy dessert and oh so good!!

    1. Carrie says:

      Awesome! We love it too and I agree it’s easy and delicious!

  2. Brandy says:

    Is the lemon juice overpowering? Can it be left out or substituted with something else?