Tangy Lemon Blueberry Dessert Recipe

Zesty No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert Recipe For Summer Treats

Bursting with vibrant flavors, this tangy lemon blueberry dessert promises a delightful culinary adventure.

Summer’s bounty comes alive in every single bite of this refreshing treat.

Zesty lemons dance with sweet blueberries, creating a harmonious balance of tartness and sweetness.

The dessert sings with bright, bold notes that awaken your taste buds.

Rich, creamy textures complement the fruit’s natural brightness, making each spoonful a pure joy.

Elegant yet simple, this dessert transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible summer sensation that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Steps To Layer No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert

  • Create Crumb Base

Crush graham crackers into fine pieces and mix with melted butter and sugar until you get a perfect sandy texture. Press this delightful mixture firmly into the bottom of a chilled dish, creating a solid foundation for your dreamy dessert.

  • Whip Creamy Filling

Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, then gently fold in fresh lemon zest and tangy juice. This bright, zesty mixture will bring an explosion of citrusy goodness to your treat.

  • Layer Blueberry Magic

Sprinkle plump, juicy blueberries generously across the cream cheese layer, allowing their deep purple color to peek through. Their natural sweetness will dance perfectly with the lemony cream.

  • Chill and Set

Slide your masterpiece into the refrigerator and let it rest for several hours. During this time, the layers will meld together, creating a refreshing and indulgent dessert that’s cool, creamy, and absolutely irresistible.

  • Serve and Enjoy

When ready, slice into beautiful squares and watch as your guests’ eyes light up with pure delight. This no-bake wonder is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that requires zero oven time and maximum flavor.

Flavor Tips For No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert

  • Crumb Crust Perfection: Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the dish to create a solid, compact base that won't crumble when serving.
  • Zesty Flavor Boost: Add fresh lemon zest to the filling for an extra burst of citrusy brightness that complements the blueberries beautifully.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, making it ideal for entertaining or meal prep.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional graham crackers with gluten-free graham-style crackers or almond flour to make the dessert suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Berry Swap Adventure: Experiment with different seasonal berries like raspberries or strawberries for a unique twist on the classic lemon-blueberry combination.

Serving No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert Cold And Fresh

  • Dessert Plate Paradise: Arrange individual servings on elegant white plates with a sprinkle of fresh blueberries around the edges for a pop of color and extra fruity freshness.
  • Garnish Glamour: Top each slice with a delicate lemon zest curl, a few whole blueberries, and a small mint leaf to create a restaurant-style presentation that looks professionally crafted.
  • Chilled Delight Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the tangy lemon and sweet blueberry flavors, adding a creamy contrast to the dessert's texture.
  • Summer Brunch Centerpiece: Present the dessert as part of a beautiful brunch spread, using a clear glass serving platter to showcase the layers and make the dessert the star of the table.

How To Store No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert

  • Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the dessert for at least 2-3 hours to allow layers to set perfectly and enhance flavor melding.
  • Freshness Window: Enjoy within 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, keeping the graham cracker base crisp and creamy filling smooth.
  • Smart Container Choice: Use a sealed glass dish with a tight lid to prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors and maintain dessert's delicate taste profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert a day before your event for stress-free entertaining, letting flavors develop and texture become wonderfully chilled and cohesive.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 9

Everything In No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert

For Crust Base:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds delightful crunch and sweet foundation for the dessert, choose fresh crisp crackers for best texture.
  • Melted Butter: Helps bind the crumbs together, creating a solid and delectable base, use unsalted butter for consistent flavor.
  • Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps crumbs stick together, opt for granulated sugar for smooth mixing.
For Filling Components:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, creamy texture and tangy backdrop, select full-fat version for most luxurious result.
  • Powdered Sugar: Ensures smooth sweetening without graininess, sift to prevent lumps in filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rounded flavor depth, choose pure extract for most authentic taste.
For Fresh Zesty Topping:
  • Fresh Blueberries: Brings vibrant color and juicy burst, select plump, deep-colored berries at peak ripeness.
  • Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that complement creamy base, use fresh lemon for most intense flavor.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates light, airy texture and helps stabilize topping, chill bowl and beaters for perfect whipping.

Tools To Prepare No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Dessert

  • 8-inch baking dish: Perfect for layering your creamy dessert with precise dimensions.
  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining graham cracker crust ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Helps you accurately measure butter, crumbs, and sugar.
  • Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for mixing and pressing crust mixture evenly.
  • Refrigerator: Chills the dessert and helps layers set firmly.
Print
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Tangy Lemon Blueberry Dessert Recipe

Tangy Lemon Blueberry Dessert


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4.9 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Creamy no-bake lemon blueberry dessert combines tangy citrus with sweet berries in a refreshing summer treat. Cool layers of graham cracker crust, silky lemon filling, and blueberry compote will delight guests at your next gathering.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (8 oz/226 g) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (14 oz/397 g) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups (480 mL) graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup (120 mL) butter, melted
  • ½ cup (120 mL) fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 ½ cups (360 mL) fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed)
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) sugar
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps (30 mL) water (to thicken)
  • Whipped cream
  • Extra blueberries
  • Lemon slices

Instructions

  1. Crust Preparation: Crush graham crackers into ultrafine particles, creating a consistent granular base with no large fragments.
  2. Binding the Base: Incorporate melted butter and sugar into the cracker crumbs, mixing until the texture resembles damp, compactable sand that holds its shape when pressed.
  3. Crust Formation: Carefully distribute the crumbly mixture into an 8-inch baking dish, methodically pressing and smoothing the surface with a spoon or flat utensil to establish a uniform, densely packed foundation.
  4. Crust Stabilization: Refrigerate the prepared crust for 15 minutes, allowing the mixture to solidify and create a robust, cohesive platform for subsequent layers of the dessert.

Notes

  • Crumb Consistency Matters: Crush graham crackers until they become ultra-fine, almost powder-like, to guarantee a smooth, compact crust without lumpy texture.
  • Compress with Precision: Use firm, even pressure when pressing the crust mixture into the dish, creating a solid base that won’t crumble when serving.
  • Chill for Structure: Refrigerate the crust for the full 15 minutes to help it set firmly, preventing potential structural breakdown during layering.
  • Butter-to-Crumb Ratio: Ensure melted butter is thoroughly mixed with crumbs, creating a slightly damp sand-like consistency that binds perfectly without being overly greasy.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 27 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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