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This is THE BEST NO BAKE CHEESECAKE RECIPE EVER! It’s got a thick graham cracker crust and an easy no-bake cheesecake filling without cool whip or gelatin. It’s a delicious cheesecake with a fluffy texture, crunchy crust, and only a few simple ingredients.

This recipe is the BEST No Bake Cheesecake Recipe I’ve ever had. I mean sure, I love no bake Oreo Cheesecake and even lemon cheesecake and cheesecake with cool whip, but this super simple, plain, easy cheesecake recipe? My favorite. It’s made with sweetened condensed milk, no cool whip, has a creamy texture and a tangy cheesecake taste with a THICK graham cracker crust – it’s the best one I’ve ever had!! Plus – no baking, no oven, no water bath needed! This is such a classic recipe, you’re going to love it.
How to Make No Bake Cheesecake
- You can use whole graham crackers and crush them or use a box of graham cracker crumbs. The crust also uses granulated sugar (or brown sugar) and melted butter. I do not recommend a store-bought graham cracker crust because it won’t be deep enough.
- You need two packages cream cheese. Make sure it is softened (room temperature) to avoid lumps and don’t use low fat cream cheese!
- This is a cheesecake made with Sweetened condensed milk, which adds tons of creaminess and the sweetness. Use regular – NOT fat-free or low-fat.
- Lemon Juice is a must – it doesn’t add a lemon flavor to the cheesecake but actually creates the chemical reaction with the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk that makes it set up, so don’t omit! You MUST use fresh lemon juice, not bottled.
- This cheesecake needs several hours to set properly so be sure and plan ahead. It’s best if you make it the day before you need it.
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Expert Tips
- A springform pan for this recipe is super important. I have a 9-inch springform pan, but you could use an 8-inch or a 10-inch. A deep dish pie plate would work too, but it’ll be harder for serving. See all about pan size equivalents in case you don’t have a springform pan.
- Your cream cheese MUST be softened to avoid lumps. Let it sit at room temperature for a few hours ahead of making the cheesecake.
- Make sure you get sweetened condensed milk NOT evaporated.
- The lemon juice is the key to this recipe setting up. DO NOT OMIT.
- The cheesecake needs several hours to fully set. It’ll be semi-set in about 4 hours, but overnight is best, so plan ahead.
- No Bake Cheesecake is creamier and fluffier than traditional cheesecake, which is dense and thick.
Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 3 cups (306g) graham cracker crumbs (about 18 sheets/36 squares)
- ⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar
- 11 tablespoons (155g) unsalted or salted butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt only if using unsalted butter
Filling:
- 2 8-ounce blocks 450g) cream cheese room temperature (do not use low-fat)
- 14 ounces (1 can/397g) sweetened condensed milk (regular, not low fat)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (59ml) fresh lemon juice
- Berries or pie filling for topping
Instructions
- Crush graham crackers in a food processor until they are a fine crumb. You can also place in a gallon size resealable bag (seal all but 1-inch to allow air to escape) and then crush with a rolling pin.
- Place graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl and stir using a fork. The mixture will resemble wet sand. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-10” springform pan. Chill at least 10 minutes before filling.3 cups (306g) graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar, 11 tablespoons (155g) unsalted or salted butter, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Beat cream cheese until smooth using a hand or a stand mixer. Add sweetened condensed milk slowly while mixing. Slowly add vanilla and lemon juice and mix until smooth and no lumps remain. Pour into prepared crust. Chill at least 8 hours before serving so the mixture can set. It will be soft set after 4 but harden more after 8 hours in the refrigerator.2 8-ounce blocks 450g) cream cheese, 14 ounces (1 can/397g) sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup (59ml) fresh lemon juice
- Top with berries or your favorite pie filling. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cheesecake can be made 1 day in advance, but don’t top it until ready to serve. It can also be frozen well wrapped in plastic wrap.
Recipe Notes
- DO NOT OMIT LEMON JUICE – the cheesecake will not taste like lemon; it needs the acid in the lemon to firm up the cheesecake.
- Only use full fat cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk.
- Make sure cream cheese is room temperature to avoid lumps.
Recipe Nutrition
Step-by-Step Process
- Place graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl and stir using a fork. I usually crush my crumbs with a food processor.
- Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-10” springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk and mix until smooth.
- Mix in vanilla extract and lemon juice and mix until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Pour cream cheese filling into prepared crust and smooth with a rubber spatula. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill at least 4 hours before serving (8 hours is best) so the mixture can set.
How to serve easy cheesecake
- I love topping this cheesecake with fresh berries: raspberries, strawberry, blueberries.
- Try topping with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or peanut butter sauce. I love freshly whipped cream but you could also top with whipped topping.
- You can even top it with lemon curd or blueberry sauce.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- I have so many other no bake cheesecake recipes – No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake is my favorite!
- Key Lime Cheesecake is a baked version
- Easy Mini Cheesecakes
- No Bake Cheesecake with Cool Whip
Made exactly as stated. The cheesecake part was wonderful along with strawberries and blueberries. But it’s crust was one crumbled mess! I was able to unmold it but cutting was another issue. Made this two days before I needed it and unmolded the day needed. So not like it didn’t sit long enough. Don’t know what happened,
Any suggestions?? It was delicious.
Did you make any substitutions? Did you use pre crushed crumbs or did you crush them yourself? What kind of butter did you use?
The recipe looks so good and easy to follow, Thanks for sharing!!!!!
Can this recipe be made into mini cheesecakes & can it be frozen?
Frozen yes. I haven’t tried minis with this recipe but if you do, use cupcake liners!
Can you double the filling? It doesn’t look very thick
I wouldn’t double the filling or it might not fit in the pan.
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