Description
Creamy New York-style no-bake cheesecake delivers pure dessert magic with minimal effort. Graham cracker crust and silky cream cheese filling create a rich, cool treat you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (200 grams/7.05 oz) graham cracker crumbs (about 12 crackers)
- 16 oz (450 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 6 tbsps (85 grams/3 oz) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (120 grams/4.2 oz) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (50 grams/1.76 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) lemon juice (optional, for a slight tang)
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Caramel or chocolate drizzle
- Crushed cookies
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pulverize graham crackers and blend with sugar and melted butter, creating a cohesive mixture. Press firmly into the springform pan’s base, ensuring a uniform, compact foundation that will anchor the creamy filling.
- Cream Cheese Mixture: Whip cream cheese until impossibly smooth, eliminating any textural irregularities. Integrate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of lemon juice, whisking until the blend achieves a luxurious, silken consistency.
- Cream Incorporation: Vigorously whip heavy cream until it forms robust, defined peaks. Gently fold the aerated cream into the cream cheese base, employing delicate circular motions to preserve the mixture’s ethereal lightness.
- Assembly and Chilling: Cascade the velvety filling onto the prepared crust, spreading with precision to create an impeccably level surface. Refrigerate for a minimum of six hours, allowing the cheesecake to solidify and develop its signature dense, creamy texture.
- Serving Technique: Liberate the cheesecake from the springform pan with careful precision. Slice using a pristine, heated knife, cleaning the blade between each cut to maintain immaculate edges. Embellish with fresh berries, a whisper of whipped cream, or selected garnishes to elevate the dessert’s visual appeal.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Crumbling: Mix graham cracker crumbs thoroughly with melted butter and sugar, pressing firmly into the pan to create a solid, compact base that won’t fall apart when slicing.
- Achieve Smooth Cream Cheese Texture: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat until completely lump-free, using a hand mixer or stand mixer for optimal smoothness and preventing grainy consistency.
- Maintain Whipped Cream Volume: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk/beaters beforehand to help heavy cream whip faster and hold stiff peaks more effectively, creating a lighter, airier cheesecake filling.
- Dietary Modification Options: Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version, and use low-fat cream cheese and whipped cream for a lighter dessert variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg