Creamy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake

Here’s a delicious and easy recipe for a Creamy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake:

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup melted unsalted butter

For the filling:

• 2 cups cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional topping:

• Fresh whipped cream
• Lemon slices or zest
• Fresh berries (like blueberries or raspberries)

Instructions:

For the crust:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until everything is well combined and the crumbs are evenly moistened.
2. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan or pie dish, forming an even layer. Use the back of a spoon to press it down firmly.
3. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling to help it set.

For the filling:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream too much.

Assembling the cheesecake:

1. Pour the lemon filling onto the prepared graham cracker crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
2. Smooth the top and refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight to let it set.

Optional topping:

1. Before serving, top the cheesecake with whipped cream, fresh lemon slices, or a handful of fresh berries for extra flavor and decoration.

Tips:

• For an extra tangy lemon flavor, you can increase the lemon zest or juice to your taste.
• If you prefer a thicker filling, you can add more cream cheese or reduce the amount of whipped cream.
• Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature to avoid lumps in the filling.

Enjoy your Creamy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake! It’s perfect for a refreshing dessert that requires no baking.