If you’re craving a rich treat, it’s hard to beat the flavor and texture of a classic New York cheesecake. With a graham cracker crust and a tangy filling, it’s truly a dessert that shines on any occasion. But what if you’re craving a luscious dessert and simply don’t have the time to put together something so elaborate? This easy 3-ingredient no-bake cheesecake recipe will truly change the way you make dessert!
Small Canning Jars: Mason jars serve as the ideal vessel to serve this no-bake cheesecake recipe. Choose a slim, tall jar or opt for a short jar for smaller desserts.
Hand Mixer: Mixing the cream cheese with a hand mixer will aerate the filling to make it that much fluffier.
Food Processor: Pulse the graham crackers for your crust in no time. Throwing all of the crackers in a food processor makes prep a breeze.
Add in the can of sweetened condensed milk. Mix until fully combined.
Step 3: Make the crust
Make The Crust 3-ingredient no-bake cheesecake
Put the graham cracker crumbs in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture and mix with a fork. Scoop 2 tablespoons of the graham cracker mixture into each jar. Repeat this step for 4 cheesecakes.
Step 4: Scoop the filling and chill the cheesecakes
Scoop The Filling 3-ingredient no-bake cheesecake
Divide the cheesecake filling mixture among the jars. Sprinkle the tops with additional graham cracker crumbs, if desired. Place the cheesecakes in the fridge and allow them to set for at least 1 hour before enjoying.
No-Bake Cheesecake Add-Ins
These no-bake cheesecakes are delicious on their own, but they can also be dressed up for any occasion. If you’d prefer to swap out the graham crackers for another type of crust, it’s certainly doable. Consider using crushed Nilla Wafers, Oreos or any other cookie.
As for the toppings? Top your cheesecakes with jams, cherry pie filling, chocolate or salted caramel sauce. You can even add a layer of fresh fruit as you build each cheesecake jar. It only takes three ingredients to create these no-bake cheesecakes, but the options for add-ins and garnishes are endless.
Here’s What I Thought
As a big fan of classic New York cheesecake, I was skeptical about the idea of a 3-ingredient no-bake cheesecake. Surely it wasn’t possible to mimic that sweet and tangy filling with fluffy texture, right? Well, I was definitely wrong!
While these cheesecakes aren’t served up as traditional slices, they certainly embody the flavor a good cheesecake has. The sweetness is balanced with the right amount of tanginess from the cream cheese. The graham crackers serve as the ideal base to pair with the luscious filling. And quite frankly, I like the ratio of crust to filling a whole lot better with this version.
Keep in mind, these won’t set the same way a baked cheesecake does. But that’s OK! By leaving them in the refrigerator for an hour, you’ll get a great texture. Leave them in the fridge for a few more hours, and the texture is even more rich and fluffy. Truly, they’re hard to put down once you scoop that first bite!
More Easy No-Bake Cheesecakes
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I like to make this cannoli cheesecake in the summer since it's flavorful and refreshing! And not needing to turn on the oven and heat the house up is an added bonus. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
I love my pressure cooker and get a kick out of creating recipes for it. When I wanted to try a cheesecake, I did some research and put together my own version. Success! It not only was beautiful with no cracks but also tasted absolutely scrumptious. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
I've made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they're usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland
I read that white chocolate intensifies the flavor of blackberries. It's true! The crunch of baking chips, the blackberry puree, and the sweet and salty pretzel crust make this a sensational mini dessert. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
It takes mere minutes for Leila Flavell of Bulyea, Saskatchewan to ad holiday flair to a no-bake cheesecake. She used canned pumpkin and spices to dress up the mix with thick, creamy results.
For an airy delight on a summer afternoon, try this mouthwatering cheesecake from Hastings, Nebraska's Ken Gallagher. Because it doesn't contain eggs, it's lighter but also very creamy and refreshing.—Ken Gallagher, Hastings, Nebraska
I first made this irresistible dessert for some dinner guests. They were overwhelmed by it's rich flavor and appearance. My husband commented that it was the best dessert he had ever eaten in his whole life. —Heather Bennett, Dunbar, West Virginia
The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
Cinnamon and vanilla give this cheesecake so much flavor, and making it in the slow cooker creates a silky, smooth texture that's hard to resist. —Krista Lanphier, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Creamy and airy, this gorgeous dessert is the perfect special something for a summer dinner party. I love the mix of smooth strawberry cheesecake and crumbly chocolate crust—and how elegant it looks on the table. —Kathy Berger, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
For an easy, make-ahead dessert that's elegant and luscious, try this recipe. The perfect blend of mocha and chocolate is in each cool, refreshing slice. —Aelita Kivirist, Glenview, Illinois
You’ll fall in love with this sweet treat. Each silky slice is topped with juicy raspberries. Yes, you can have cheesecake without breaking the calorie budget. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
I made this for a Father's Day party, and it was a hit! I guarantee compliments when you serve this fantastic dessert. —Cher Anjema, Kleinburg, Ontario
It's hard to believe that just five ingredients and a few minutes of preparation can result in these delicate and scrumptious tarts! —Cindi Mitchell, Waring, Texas
This is a cool and always refreshing dessert that is fancy enough to take to a gathering. You can make this ahead of time and freeze it. Make sure you wrap it well so it's airtight, and add the peaches and whipped cream only after it thaws. —Joan Engelhardt, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
These sweet little parfaits take everything that's wonderful about cheesecake and make it way easier. You get the rich creaminess, graham cracker crunch and bright berry flavor all in fun individual portions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
For an almost instant dessert, I spread homemade ganache and caramel sauce over premade cheesecake. It always makes busy holidays feel slightly less hectic. —Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois
Do-ahead and delicious, this dessert is a favorite because of its pretty color, creamy texture and terrific flavor. A light, no-bake filling makes it easy. Try garnishing with fresh berries and sprigs of mint. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota
I love the scent of lavender, and the edible flowers make this cheesecake one of the most spectacular I've tasted. You can use lavender honey in this recipe for extra flavor, but even without it, the lavender is very distinct. —Julie Palmer, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
Oreo cookies and cheesecake — how can you go wrong? I made 20 of these crowd-pleasing desserts in all different sizes for my wedding, and they were a big hit.—Leanne Stinson, Camduff, Saskatchewan
Cheesecake from a slow cooker? It's true! I experimented a few times to turn this iconic dessert into a slow-cooker classic. Give it a try. You'll be amazed at the results! —Krista Lanphier, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cheesecake is my mom's favorite dessert. I made this especially for her on Mother's Day to thank her for being such an awesome mom. Decorate to your own taste! —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
