Description
These No Bake Cheesecake Bars are a creamy, luscious dessert perfect for any occasion. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and a smooth, tangy cream cheese filling whipped with heavy cream and a hint of lemon, they require no oven time and can be prepared ahead with minimal effort. Serve chilled and topped with fresh fruit compote for a refreshing finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup melted butter
Filling
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Topping (Optional)
- Fresh fruit compote
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand, ensuring all crumbs are evenly coated.
- Set the crust: Press the graham cracker mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate to allow the crust to set firmly while you prepare the filling.
- Beat the cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, eliminating any lumps.
- Add sweeteners and flavor: Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract with the cream cheese, blending well until combined.
- Whip the cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, making sure it holds shape and is airy.
- Combine filling ingredients: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to maintain a light texture. Stir in the lemon juice until the filling is fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the cheesecake: Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the chilled crust, spreading it out smoothly.
- Chill to set: Refrigerate the cheesecake bars for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the filling to firm up and the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Before serving, top the cheesecake bars with fresh fruit compote or any preferred toppings for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For best results, soften the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Use cold heavy cream for easier whipping to stiff peaks.
- The lemon juice adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness but can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
- These bars should be stored covered in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
- You can substitute graham cracker crumbs with digestive biscuits or similar cookies for crust variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
