No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
Submitted by sadams01
No-bake lemon cheesecake set without gelatin, where lemon juice thickens a cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk filling over a cinnamon crumb crust. Bright, tangy and made entirely in the fridge.
YIELD
16 servingsPREP
3COOK
0 minREADY
3No oven, no gelatin, no problem. This no-bake cheesecake sets up firm through a bit of simple kitchen chemistry: the lemon juice reacts with the sweetened condensed milk, thickening the filling as it chills so it slices clean.
Start by beating the cream cheese until truly fluffy before anything else goes in. That is your insurance against a lumpy filling. Then blend in the condensed milk, followed by the lemon juice and vanilla.
The crust is a quick press-in of cinnamon-spiced crumbs, cornflake or graham, bound with melted margarine. Save a couple of spoonfuls to sprinkle on top for texture and a finished look.
After that, the fridge does all the work. Give it at least three hours to firm up before slicing. The tangy lemon keeps it from feeling heavy, even with all that creamy richness.
Kitchen Tips
- Soften and beat the cream cheese fully before adding any liquid. Lumps will not smooth out once the condensed milk goes in.
- Use real lemon juice. Beyond flavor, its acid is what thickens and sets the filling, so do not skimp.
- Chill at least three hours, longer if you can. Rushing it leaves the center too soft to cut neatly.
Variations
- Swap the lemon for lime or a mix of citrus for a different tang.
- Use a graham or digestive crust, or stir a little lemon zest into the crumbs.
- Top with fresh berries, a berry coulis or a swirl of whipped cream.
Ingredients
Directions
Mix together crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon add margarine and blend.
Set aside 2 tablespoons of mixture.
Line bottom of 9-inch pan wih crumbs.
Refrigerate.
Beat cheese until fluffy, blend in milk, blend in lemon juice and vanilla.
Pour into chilled crust. Sprinkle with set aside crumbs.
Regrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. Maybe doubled and put in 9×13-inch pan.
You can make the sweetened condensed milk.
I make the milk in the blender and add the cream cheese, lemon juice and vanilla to the milk in the blender.
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