With all the creaminess of the cooked version, this easy no-bake cheesecake is a simple dessert that's ready in a fraction of the time. Top with fresh fruit for a flavorful twist!
This easy no-bake cheesecake tart has got to be one of my favorite things. You get all the creaminess of cheesecake, in a fraction of the time.
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Making this simple no-bake cheesecake in a tart pan makes it look impressive. However, it can certainly be made in a pie dish, or mini cheesecake pan if you'd rather.
I use a removable-bottom tart pan and it works like a charm.
One of the great things about this no-bake cream cheese dessert is you can serve it any time of year and top it with whatever is in season. Sometimes that's just a lovely jam or fruit sauce made with frozen fruit!
I love fresh berries on this cheese cake tart, but read below for my other suggestions. For a baked version of cheesecake, try this sweetened condensed milk cheesecake.
Tip: This type of sweetened cream cheese filling is the base of several other hit desserts I make. Try my Cheesecake In A Jar if you need individual treats for a buffet, or these Easy Peach Tarts using mini pie crust bases.
Ingredients In Simple No-Bake Cheesecake
I kept this cheesecake tart recipe as easy as possible. You don't need to use a bunch of ingredients, just the right ones!
The crust is a mixture of crushed cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
For the no-bake cheesecake filling, I used a simple mixture of cream cheese, more sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and heavy cream. That's it!
How To Make Easy No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe
I have to admit that I bake the crust for just a few minutes. The heat helps hold it together by melting the tiny bits of sugar with the butter and crumbs, giving it a tasty, toasty flavor.
You don't have to bake the crust at all though! If you choose the no bake tart crust, simply press it into the pan and then refrigerate it for about 20 minutes to help solidify it before putting the filling in.
If you don't mind heating that crust up a bit, it can be done while you pull out the other ingredients, whip up the filling and lick the beaters.
Once the crust has set (either in the fridge or the oven), simply pour in the no-bake cheesecake filling and let the entire cheesecake tart chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
No-Bake Cheesecake Tart Topping Ideas
This creamy and tangy cheesecake tart dessert is a blank canvas for your toppings. I like fresh berries on top, especially blueberries.
Here is my list of suggestions, but you can come up with your own.
- Fresh raspberries
- Fresh blueberries
- Blackberries and lemon zest
- Strawberry or raspberry jam
- Simmered frozen fruit (cooled)
- Granola and a drizzle of honey
- Cherry pie filling
- Lemon curd
- Sliced mangoes or pineapple
- Crumbled peanut butter cups
- Hot fudge or caramel
- Drizzle of melted peanut butter
No-Bake Cheesecake Crust Options
I call for crushed cookie crumbs in this homemade no-bake cheesecake recipe. What does that mean?
It means you can pretty much use any cookie crumbs you want! The sky's the limit and that means you can make a chocolate crust or gingersnap.
Plus you can use gluten-free cookies to make this cheesecake tart gluten-free. Try these:
- Graham crackers
- Oreo or chocolate sandwich cookies
- Vanilla sandwich cookies
- Lemon cookies
- Shortbread cookies
- Gingersnaps
- Cinnamon graham crackers
- Vanilla wafers
No-Bake Cheescake Recipe FAQs
You can make this cheesecake gluten-free just by swapping GF cookies in the cookie crust. Nothing in the filling contains gluten.
You sure can! It will work just as well. Here's the thing, you still have to use heavy cream so you can whip it. So using low-fat cream cheese won't make this entire dessert low fat!
Nope! You can also make this simple no-bake cheesecake recipe in a pie plate, or a cheesecake pan.
I made this using a 9-inch tart pan, but as long as you use something of a similar size the recipe will turn out fine.
Tips for the Best No-Bake Cheesecake
- The cream cheese should be beaten until very smooth before adding the cream. Mixing the sugar into the cream cheese helps smooth any cold lumps that might stay.
- Don't under-whip the cream. Whipping the cream aerates it and helps to stabilize the entire cheesecake.
- Make sure to give the cheesecake enough time to chill. Letting the filling set in the fridge for at least three hours ensures you can slice it and it will hold the shape.
- Chill the cheesecake longer if you make it in a pie dish. The pie dish is deeper than the tart pan so it needs that extra chilling time to get stiff.
More easy desserts:
- The best homemade Chocolate Pudding you've ever tasted
- No-Yeast Needed Cinnamon Rolls
- Chocolate Haystacks Candy with toasted coconut
- Cream Cheese Dessert Dip with maple and almond
- Grilled Pineapple with Praline Caramel made on the grill and stovetop
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📖 Recipe
Simple No-Bake Cheesecake Tart
Ingredients
- 2 cups (8 oz) cookie crumbs (, very finely crushed)
- 3 tablespoons plus ⅔ cup granulated sugar (, divided)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (, melted)
- 1½ packages (12 ounces total) cream cheese ( , softened)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups blueberries (, or other topping)
Instructions
- If baking the crust, heat oven to 375ºF. See note below for no-bake crust.
- For the crust, stir together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and butter until completely combined. Press mixture into a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom (or pie plate) and place on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until crust is fragrant and just golden, 10 to 12 minutes; let cool.
- For the filling, combine cream cheese, vanilla, lemon juice and ⅔ cup sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip cream to soft peaks, then gently stir into cream cheese mixture, until completely combined. Transfer filling into cooled crust, loosely cover and chill 3 hours or up to a day.
- To serve, remove the tart ring and slide a spatula under tart to release it from the pan base. Transfer tart to a serving platter and scatter berries on top.
Video
Notes
- The cream cheese should be beaten until very smooth before adding the cream. Mixing the sugar into the cream cheese helps smooth any cold lumps that might stay.
- Don't under-whip the cream. Whipping the cream aerates it and helps to stabilize the entire cheesecake.
- Make sure to give the cheesecake enough time to chill. Letting the filling set in the fridge for at least three hours ensures you can slice it and it will hold the shape.
- Chill the cheesecake longer if you make it in a pie dish. The pie dish is deeper than the tart pan so it needs that extra chilling time to get stiff.
Nutrition
Recipes for Pies and Tarts
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Recipe and food styling: Tara Teaspoon, Originally appeared in LHJ Aug 2010, Photography: Yunhee Kim, Prop Styling: Deborah Williams. Updated 2023
Mary Bench says
The tart pan makes it look so elegant also! Yum!
Brittany Smart says
The blueberries are such a yummy addition!
Natalie L says
What an easy take on my favorite dessert! I can't wait to try vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
Marie says
No Bake Cheesecake is my absolute favorite dessert and this recipe is simply to die for! Rich, creamy and smooth and the tart pan just takes the presentation to the next level!
Cyn Taylor says
Have made this twice now in the past week. I make the crust with GF crackers. Everyone has loved it and I love how quick and easy it is.
Thanks, Tara!
Tara Teaspoon says
I'm so happy to hear it!!
Linda says
I make this a lot with other fruits as well. I also love to layer the filling in a trifle bowl with strawberries and blueberries for a patriotic look.
Tara Teaspoon says
Agreed! It's a fun idea. I'm happy you like the recipe!
Marsha says
This recipe was a good but in the you stated that you was going to notes on how to make a “no-bake crust. Unless I’m missing something, I didn’t see it.
Tara Teaspoon says
Hi Marsha, that information was in the body of the article. I have added it to the notes section of the recipe now. Thanks!
DJL says
I have made this recipe several times and it always turns out great. After making it according to the recipe, I decided to change it to include 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and if I have blueberry jam on hand, I spread a thin layer on the crust. It really enhances the flavor of the blueberries.
Tara Teaspoon says
That sounds delicious Dylon, thank you for sharing your modification! I love when people think of great ideas to modify my recipes.
Tara
Cheryl says
Made these in a 6 serving graham crust tart set from Keebler. Got it at my local grocery in the baking aisle. I baked the crusts for 5 min first, after an egg-white wash, then filled them & topped with fresh strawberries! Well! Everybody devoured them! Wonderful! Thank you for an easy, tasty beautiful dessert!
Tara Teaspoon says
Thank you for sharing your results and I'm thrilled to hear your "fancy" dessert was devoured!
Tara