Easy Philadelphia No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe

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This Philadelphia no bake cheesecake will make you look like a cheesecake pro, but you don’t actually need to be one to make this recipe! Follow my fool-proof steps to no bake cheesecake perfection.

slice of no bake cheesecake with white and pink flowers being removed from rest of cheesecake

You will love this Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe

Philadelphia no bake cheesecake is a type of cheesecake that does not require baking. It is typically made with Philadelphia cream cheese, a brand of cream cheese that is known for its smooth texture and rich flavor.

The cheesecake filling is usually made by blending Philadelphia cream cheese with sugar, vanilla extract, and whipped cream until it becomes light and creamy. The mixture is then poured into a prepared graham cracker crust and chilled in the refrigerator for several hours until it sets.

This type of cheesecake is often preferred because it is quick and easy to make, and does not require the use of an oven. It also has a light and creamy texture that is not as dense as traditional baked cheesecake.

Philadelphia no-bake cheesecake can be served plain or with various toppings, such as fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, or whipped cream. It is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion, from a casual family dinner to a fancy dinner party.

Make this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake with cool whip or homemade whipped cream. Plus we’ll tell you how to cut clean cheesecake slices!

Similar to our homemade brownie recipe, it took me over a week to perfect this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake.

Recipe testing is no joke!

I was running into an issue with the mixture where it wasn’t setting because the cream wasn’t whipping enough, so I altered my technique and now the result is the fluffiest no bake cheesecake!

whole no bake cheesecake with white and pink flowers on white marble background

I’m here to show you that you can make fluffy, thick, no bake cheesecake that you can cut into slices and will hold their shape!

I learned that it’s all about HOW you incorporate the ingredients.

Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake Ingredients

graham cracker crumbs – about 9 graham crackers. You can also buy graham cracker crumbs at the grocery store near the premade pie crusts.
light brown sugar
unsalted butter
full fat cream cheese
heavy whipping cream
powdered sugar – also called confectioners’ sugar
fresh lemon juice – the cheesecake doesn’t taste lemon-y at all!
vanilla extract

slice of no bake cheesecake with white and pink flowers on white plate

How to Make Easy No Bake Cheesecake

Learn from my mistakes. I tested this recipe 3 times (and it failed) because I couldn’t get the cheesecake to become firm enough. WHY? I wasn’t incorporating the ingredients in the best method.

For easy no bake cheesecake without gelatin, I learned that you need to whip the cream cheese & powdered sugar separately from the heavy whipping cream.

Step 1 – Beat the cream cheese

Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar for 1-2 minutes, until creamy

Step 2 – Make whipped cream

Beat the heavy whipping cream, remaining powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract in a separate bowl that has been CHILLED in the freezer. Beat until stiff peaks form, meaning the whipped cream is thick and holds its shape.

aerial view of whole no bake cheesecake with white and pink flowers on white marble background with one slice slightly removed

Step 3 – Combine

Then add the creamy cream cheese to the whipped cream and mix them together on low speed for 1-2 minutes or just until you can’t tell which is the cream cheese and which is the whipped cream.

The result should be a thick, fluffy, mixture that holds its shape very well.

Step 4 – The chilling period

No bake cheesecake filling needs to be chilled in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but I prefer overnight. The chilling period helps the cheesecake to set and thicken, which is very crucial for cutting clean cheesecake slices.

slice of no bake cheesecake with strawberry sauce on white background with text overlay

Topping Ideas for No Bake Cheesecake

Fruit

Any type of pie filling: cherry, blueberry, apple, peach, etc.
Any type of fresh fruit.

Syrups

Chocolate sauce
Caramel sauce
Strawberry sauce
Hot fudge
Butterscotch sauce

Cookies or Candy

Chopped oreos
Reese’s peanut butter cups
Chocolate chips
Chopped nuts

Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe Storage

How long does no bake cheesecake keep in the fridge?

You can store no bake cheesecake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Putting the cheesecake inside a cake keeper works great or you can cover the top with aluminum foil.

Can I freeze no bake cheesecake?

Let’s tease this question apart. I do not recommend freezing the cheesecake in order to speed up the chilling process that happens in the fridge. Freezing the cheesecake will change the texture.

However, you can freeze the entire cheesecake to use at a later point in time. Make sure the cheesecake is wrapped well in plastic wrap and placed in a ziploc bag or wrap the plastic wrap with aluminum foil. To thaw the cheesecake, remove it from the freezer and remove all the wrapping. Place the cheesecake inside a cake keeper and keep it in the fridge overnight to thaw.

How to cut clean cheesecake slices

In order to cut perfectly crisp slices, be sure to clean your knife after every single cut. It can be annoying, but you will have the most perfect slices!

Top this cheesecake with our homemade strawberry sauce.

Philadelphia No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe FAQs

Can I substitute cool whip?

Yes, you can substitute cool whip in place of homemade whipped cream. Although I love the taste that the homemade whipped creams gives to the recipe and it really helps to thicken the cheesecake, you can use two 8 oz containers of cool whip.

Can I use a store bought crust?

Yes! Any store bought graham cracker crust will work!

What hand mixer do you recommend?

I love my 9 speed kitchen aid hand mixer!

Why is my no bake cheesecake not firming up?

Your no-bake cheesecake might not be firming up due to several possible reasons. First, ensure you’ve allowed it enough time to chill in the refrigerator, usually several hours or overnight. Second, double-check your ingredient proportions and avoid overmixing to maintain the proper texture. Third, make sure you’ve used any required binding agents, like gelatin, correctly. Lastly, consider factors like room temperature ingredients, pan choice, humidity, and ingredient quality, as these can also influence the outcome.

Does cheesecake get firmer as it cools?

No-bake cheesecake becomes firmer as it cools in the fridge. Unlike baked cheesecakes, which firm up during baking due to protein changes, no-bake versions achieve their firmness by cooling down. When you refrigerate a no-bake cheesecake, ingredients like cream cheese and whipped cream firm up, creating a stable and firmer texture. So, it’s essential to give it enough time to chill in the refrigerator to get that perfect consistency before serving.

Can you over whisk a no bake cheesecake?

Yes, you can over-whisk a no-bake cheesecake, and doing so can affect its texture. Over-mixing can lead to the incorporation of too much air, causing the cheesecake to become overly fluffy and potentially less stable when it sets in the refrigerator.

Can you leave no bake cheesecake out overnight?

It is not safe to leave a no-bake cheesecake out at room temperature overnight. No-bake cheesecakes are made with dairy products like cream cheese and whipped cream, which are perishable and can spoil if left at room temperature for an extended period.

side shot of no bake cheesecake with white and pink flowers on white marble background

More recipes that use cream cheese

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Easy Philadelphia Cream Cheese No Bake Cheesecake

By: Beth

Prep Time: 30

Additional Time: 6

Total Time: 6 30

Servings: servings

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Ingredients

Crust

▢ 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, about 9 graham crackers
▢ ¼ cup packed brown sugar
▢ 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, 3/4 stick

No Bake Cheesecake Filling

▢ 2 packages full fat cream cheese, 8 oz each, room temperature
▢ 2 cups heavy whipping cream, equal to 1 pint
▢ 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, divided into 1 cup and 1/2 cup
▢ 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
▢ 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Before you begin

Place a metal mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes. This is used for the filling.

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

In a mixing bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Stir together until a thick mixture forms.
Press the crust into an un-greased 8 or 9 inch springform pan. You can also use a pie pan. Use your fingers and the bottom of a flat cup (I like to use my 1/2 measuring cup) to evenly distribute the crust on the bottom and the sides of the pan. Make sure the crust mixture is really compacted.
Place the crust in the freeze for 15 minutes before adding the filling. If you’re preparing the crust days or hours in advance, cover with foil or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.

No bake cheesecake filling

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Set aside.
Remove the metal mixing bowl from the freezer. Add the heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract and beat with an electric mixer until the whipping cream has stiff peaks, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the cream cheese to the whipped cream and mix them together on low speed for 1-2 minutes or just until you can’t tell which is the cream cheese and which is the whipped cream. Alternatively, you can fold them together with a spatula.
Scoop the filling into the crust and smooth with a offset spatula. Cover in a cake keeper or with foil and place in the fridge to set for at least 6 hours – overnight if preferred.
Before serving, remove the outer ring of the springform pan. Use a sharp knife to cut the cheesecake into slices. In order to cut perfectly crisp slices, be sure to clean your knife after every single cut. It can be annoying, but you will have the most perfect slices!
Serve with your favorite fruit topping, homemade strawberry sauce, chocolate ganache, or chocolate whipped cream.

Video

Notes

How long does no bake cheesecake keep in the fridge?

You can store no bake cheesecake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Putting the cheesecake inside a cake keeper works great or you can cover the top with aluminum foil.

How to cut clean cheesecake slices?