BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (2024)

The Recipe Rebel / Desserts

written by Ashley Fehr

4.97 from 112 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings

Jump to Recipe

Last updated on January 30, 2024

This easy Cheesecake Recipe is totally no bake and made with just SIX ingredients! Make ahead friendly no bake cheesecake for summer.

BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (2)

Table of Contents

  • What are the ingredients in no bake cheesecake?
  • How to make this easy cheesecake recipe:
  • What are some great cheesecake toppings?
  • Tools you’ll need for this cheesecake:
  • BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe Recipe

I know this is no surprise.

With all the cheesecake recipes on The Recipe Rebel, I hadn’t yet shared the perfect easy no bake cheesecake recipe — the recipe that serves as the basis for so many of my no bake cheesecake recipes!

As fun as White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake and Key Lime Cheesecake are, sometimes you just want good old vanilla.

Simply sweetened, with just a handful of ingredients.

The perfect cheesecake for serving up with a variety of sauces and toppings: caramel, chocolate, fresh berries, citrus curds — the options are really endless!

Like many of my cheesecakes around here, this one uses minimal bowls, with minimum prep time and head ache.

Even though we have big love for theThe Best Vanilla Cheesecake Recipe, this one has a lot of the same great qualities but almost none of the work.

BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (3)

Baked cheesecake requires a few more ingredients, a few more steps, and a lot more waiting around impatiently.

There’s the baking, the cooling, the chilling, and finally you can eat it!

With this easy cheesecake recipe, you’re going to have to wait a good long time for it to chill (that’s one step we just couldn’t take out), you’re still ready to dig in hours before you’d be slicing into a baked cheesecake.

And even though it looks like you spent a lot of time on it, you don’t need to share the truth with anyone.

But you might have to share the recipe 😉

What are the ingredients in no bake cheesecake?

This easy cheesecake recipe is made with the simplest of ingredients! No specialty products here 😉

BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (4)
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Butter (unsalted)
  • Cream Cheese (full fat, room temperature)
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Heavy whipping cream (cold!)

How to make this easy cheesecake recipe:

A quick recipe overview with extra tips! See the detailed recipe in the box below.

  1. Start with your crust — I use graham crumbs most often, but you could also use chocolate baking crumbs for a new twist! The melted butter is essential for helping it stick together when you remove it from the pan.
  2. Beat your cream cheese — room temperature is essential for no lumps! Keep in mind that full fat cream cheese is best. If you compare the packages, you can see that light cream cheese has significantly more moisture and there’s less of a chance it will set. (That being said, I use light cream cheese often and have no issues, but it’s a chance you take).
  3. Add your powdered sugar and vanilla.
  4. Whip your cream and add it in: I have always been that person who beats the cream right in with the cream cheese. If you know me at all, I’m not going to tell you you need an extra step unless you absolutely do. In this instance, I’ve tested both ways and haven’t found much of a difference at all, but whipping it separately is a little more foolproof because you can see when you’ve got stuff peaks. I have updated the recipe to reflect this change.
  5. Chill, chill, chill. And don’t even think about removing it from the pan until it’s set! We don’t want no cheesecake soup here, so plan ahead and be patient.
BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (5)
BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (6)
BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (7)
BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (8)

What are some great cheesecake toppings?

This cheesecake is perfect for a party! Just set up a cheesecake topping bar and let everyone come up with their own creations.

  • Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
  • Lemon curd
  • Strawberry Sauce
  • Chocolate Sauce
  • Caramel Sauce
  • Chocolate chips or toffee bits
  • Crushed Oreos or other cookies
  • Reese’s pieces, Smarties and M&M’s
  • Whipped cream (mix up the flavors if you liked)
BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (9)
  • I make this cheesecake in a 9″ Springform pan, but you could also make it in an 8″ Springform pan or a 9″ square baking dish.
  • With no bake cheesecakes it’s very important that you use an electric mixer, but it doesn’t need to be fancy! I use the KitchenAid handheld mixer for most of my recipes.
  • An offset spatula is essential for getting the top super smooth, but this is totally optional and won’t affect the way it tastes 😉

BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (10)

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BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe

written by Ashley Fehr

4.97 from 112 votes

This easy Cheesecake Recipe is totally no bake and made with just SIX ingredients! Make ahead friendly no bake cheesecake for summer.

BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (12)

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Review

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Ingredients

Crust

  • 2 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 250 grams)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted

Filling

  • 3 packages cream cheese (8oz each for a total of 24 oz or 750g)
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (165 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream 30-35% fat ONLY

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Line a 9″ Springform pan with parchment paper for easy removal if desired (totally optional!).

  • Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a medium bowl. Press into the bottom of the pan and about 1″ up the sides.

  • In a large bowl, beat room temperature cream cheese with an electric or stand mixer until it is smooth.

  • Add the sugar and vanilla and beat on high until smooth.

  • In a separate bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cream cheese with a spatula or an electric mixer on low. Taste and adjust sweetness to taste.

  • Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared crust, cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours, or overnight.

  • Serve with sweetened whipped cream and toppings as desired. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

Notes

*This recipe has been updated since it was originally posted. In the original recipe, the cream was added straight to the cream cheese and whipped. This recipe now calls for the cream to be whipped separately. Although the previous recipe worked great for many people, this way is a little more foolproof.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 465cal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 305mg | Potassium: 123mg | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 1285IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Keywords no bake cheesecake recipe

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BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (13)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Read More

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brittney says

    Hi there! I want to make this recipe for Valentines Day. Would using a 9 inch pre-made graham cracker Crust do well with this? Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Patty says

    Hi…this is an easy and delicious recipe…it’s my family favorite…how long do you think it would stay if stored in the refrigerator?

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      About up to 1 week. Thanks!

      Reply

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BEST Easy Cheesecake Recipe - The Recipe Rebel {VIDEO} (2024)

FAQs

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

Cold ingredients are a big no-no when it comes to cheesecake. If your ingredients are cold you will have to mix them longer which will whip too much air into your batter. If the cake has too much air, it will rise too much in the oven and then the middle will sink when cooling. Nobody wants a sad, sunken cheesecake.

What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›

Eggs: Three whole eggs hold the cheesecake together. I also add an extra yolk, which enhances the cake's velvety texture. (Whites tend to lighten the cake, which is actually fine — if you don't feel like separating that fourth egg and don't mind some extra airiness in the texture, just add in the whole egg.)

Why do you put sour cream in cheesecake? ›

Cheesecake is clearly a different animal from bundts or cupcakes, but sour cream has a place here too! Combined with even more densely rich cream cheese, sour cream actually tempers the star ingredient a touch, softening its texture. It also adds another layer of tangy flavor and moisture to a cheesecake.

What makes cheesecake taste so good? ›

The major component of this dessert's delicious flavour is undoubtedly high-quality cream cheese. After that, you add sugar, full cream, or sour cream. For a baked variant, some recipes ask for eggs and flour, while those for unbaked cheesecakes call for gelatin or its plant-based equivalent (agar-agar).

What happens when you overbeat cheesecake batter? ›

When making your filling, overmixing can lead to incorporating too much air into the batter. Once baked, the air bubbles will burst, and the cheesecake will fall and crack. THE FIX: The number one reason why you'd overbeat your batter is because you're having dificulty incorporating cold ingredients.

Should you cover cheesecake when baking? ›

The foil helps protect against water leaking into the pan. Set the wrapped pan in a large roasting pan, and pour hot water into the roasting pan halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan.

Is sour cream or heavy cream better for cheesecake? ›

Sour cream supports the underlying tang of the cream cheese, but, if overdone, it takes over as the dominant flavor. You need a little of each -- cream for texture and sour cream for flavor. With our ingredients settled, we focused in on how to keep the cheesecake from baking up grainy and cracked.

Is it better to use flour or cornstarch for cheesecake? ›

Step 10: Corn Starch Added

It did result in a more cake like texture as well. If you want to add something to thicken your cheesecake then I would definitely recommend this over flour to thicken it.

What happens if you put too much sour cream in cheesecake? ›

Sour cream adds tanginess and moisture, so if you use too much, it can make the cheesecake too tangy and the additional moisture can make it runny.

What is the difference between New York style cheesecake and regular cheesecake? ›

Regular cheesecake relies on heavy cream and sour cream to thin the batter and create a silkier, creamier texture. New York cheesecake is heavy on the cream cheese which is why it's so dense and rich. Extra cream cheese isn't the only thing that makes New York cheesecake so special.

Can I use Greek yogurt in cheesecake instead of sour cream? ›

Sour cream is often used in cheesecake recipes to add a tangy flavor and a creamy texture. However, if you don't have sour cream or prefer not to use it, there are several alternatives you can try: Greek yogurt: This is a good substitute as it has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.

What can I use if I don't have sour cream for my cheesecake? ›

Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. Whether you're baking or making a dip or sauce, yogurt is a 1:1 sub. That means if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sour cream, you can replace it with 1 cup of yogurt. Full-fat Greek or natural yogurts work best, but low-fat or even nonfat can be used, too.

What is the best cheesecake flavor? ›

Here are ten of the very best cheesecakes you can find:
  • New York-Style Cheesecake. ...
  • Chocolate Cheesecake. ...
  • White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. ...
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake. ...
  • Strawberry Cheesecake. ...
  • Key Lime Cheesecake. ...
  • Banana Cream Cheesecake. ...
  • No-Bake Cheesecake.
Apr 14, 2023

Why do you add cornstarch to cheesecake? ›

Flour or cornstarch is sometimes included in cheesecake recipes to preventing cracks. If you find that you always have problems with cracking and your cheesecake recipe does not call for any flour or cornstarch, it's ok to experiment and add some cornstarch (one to two tablespoons) to the batter when you add the sugar.

What happens if you don't use a water bath for cheesecake? ›

But it's less possible to bake an excellent cheesecake without one. Big, showstopper cheesecakes baked without a water bath are more likely to overbake, which will give them a curdled texture, cracks in the surface, and lopsided tops.

When should you not eat cheesecake? ›

Eggs and milk have high protein and moisture content, and they're the primary ingredients in cheesecake, so when cheesecake is left at room temperature, conditions are ripe for bacteria to multiply. According to the USDA's Food Keeper App, cheesecake should be consumed within 5 to 7 days of refrigeration.

How do you keep a cheesecake from cracking after baking? ›

Cool the cheesecake slowly.

The dramatic shift in temperature can cause cracks to form. Place an inverted plate or cookie sheet over the cheesecake as it cools to protect the surface. After the cheesecake drops to room temperature, refrigerate it for another six hours or until it fully solidifies.

What causes cheesecake to fall? ›

Cheesecake may sink in the middle due to overbeating the batter, which incorporates too much air, or drastic temperature changes causing it to rise and fall rapidly. Also, if it's underbaked, the middle may collapse. Cooling gradually can help prevent sinking.

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