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    Home » Cakes » Cheesecakes

    Fresh & Tangy No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

    By Elizabeth Waterson // Oct 8, 2025 (Updated Nov 22, 2025) // 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe·5 from 1 review
    This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    13 shares
    Two images of a no bake lemon cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, creamy filling, lemon curd topping, and whipped cream swirls; in the bottom image, a slice of the no bake lemon cheesecake is being served. Text reads “No Bake Lemon Cheesecake.”.

    This no-bake lemon cheesecake is the kind of dessert that looks fancy but comes together with ease. The graham cracker crust is buttery and crisp, while the filling is lusciously smooth, light, and tangy thanks to fresh lemon juice and extract. Since it skips the oven, it chills in the fridge until set, making it the perfect make-ahead treat topped with whipped cream and lemon curd.

    A slice of creamy cheesecake with a golden graham cracker crust, topped with lemon curd and whipped cream, sits on a white plate. A fork holds a bite of cheesecake, and fresh lemons are in the background.

    Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts to make for a party; everyone is always impressed, you can make it the day before (so party day is less stressful!), and the flavor combinations are endless! Cream cheese and lemon flavor are a favorite combo of mine; they pair so beautifully. While I adore this baked lemon cheesecake recipe, sometimes I don't have the time to deal with a water bath, baking time, cooling time, etc. Enter this no-bake lemon cheesecake. You make this all together, then pop it in the fridge to set up. Easy peasy, and oh so delicious!

    A cheesecake with a golden yellow lemon topping and whipped cream swirls along the edge sits on a white plate. A large slice has been removed, showing its creamy layers and crumbly crust.

    What Makes This Cheesecake Tick

    • Graham cracker crust - buttery and crisp, the foundation that contrasts the creamy filling.
    • Heavy whipping cream - whipped to soft peaks for a light, airy texture.
    • Full-fat Cream cheese + sour cream - rich, tangy, and smooth-it's the heart of the filling.
    • Powdered sugar - sweetens without grittiness, blending seamlessly into the cream.
    • Fresh lemon juice + lemon extract - brighten it up with natural tang and amplified citrus flavor.
    • Lemon curd & whipped cream topping - an indulgent final layer that elevates every bite.
    A baking tray holds bowls of no bake lemon cheesecake ingredients: cream, powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, sour cream, cream cheese, melted butter, granulated sugar, and salt.

    For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.

    Step by Step Instructions

    A glass bowl with graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar on a light pink surface, next to a dark cloth and a few lemons.
    Mix sugar and graham cracker crumbs.
    A glass bowl filled with graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, ready to be mixed, sits on a light pink surface next to a dark cloth and a whole lemon.
    Add in melted butter.
    A glass bowl filled with graham cracker crust crumbs on a light pink marble surface, with part of a dark cloth and a lemon visible in the corner.
    Mix until crumbs look like wet sand.
    A round baking tin filled with pressed graham cracker crust, with a metal measuring cup resting on top. Two whole lemons and a dark cloth are next to the tin on a light pink surface.
    Press graham cracker crust crumbs into the pan.
    A metal mixing bowl with a small amount of cream inside sits on a light pink surface next to a dark cloth and two lemons.
    Add heavy whipping cream to mixing bowl.
    A metal mixing bowl contains whipped cream. A dark kitchen towel and two halved lemons are beside the bowl on a light marble surface.
    Whip until stiff peaks form.
    A stainless steel mixing bowl with creamy, whipped cheesecake inside, sits on a light surface next to two whole lemons and a dark blue cloth.
    Mix cream cheese until light and fluffy.
    A mixing bowl containing cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest rests on a pink countertop next to a dark blue cloth and two whole lemons.
    Mix in powdered sugar and lemon zest.
    A metal mixing bowl filled with creamy, whipped mixture sits on a marble surface next to two whole lemons and a dark blue cloth.
    Scrape the sides of the bowl.
    A metal mixing bowl with creamy batter, sour cream, lemon extract, and vanilla extract partially mixed. Two lemons and a dark cloth napkin are nearby on a light marble surface.
    Mix in sour cream, lemon juice, lemon extract and vanilla extract.
    A metal mixing bowl with whipped cream mixture inside sits on a light surface next to two whole lemons and a dark blue kitchen towel.
    A metal mixing bowl filled with creamy, smooth cheesecake batter sits on a marble surface next to a dark blue kitchen towel.
    Scrape the sides of the bowl.
    A metal mixing bowl with whipped cream added to cheesecake mixture, sitting on a marble surface near a dark blue cloth and two yellow lemons.

    Add half of the whipped cream and fold to combine.
    A metal mixing bowl filled with whipped cream folded into the cheesecake batter on a white surface next to a dark cloth and two whole lemons.
    Mix in the remaining whipped cream.
    A round springform pan filled with smooth, creamy no bake lemon cheesecake batter sits on a light-colored surface next to a dark cloth and two lemons.
    Add cheesecake filling to the crust.
    A close-up of a creamy lemon cheesecake with a thick, crumbly graham cracker crust, served on a black round pan against a light background.
    Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan.
    A close-up of a no bake cheesecake with a crumbly golden crust, topped with a layer of lemon curd.
    Add the lemon curd on top of cheesecake and spread into an even layer.
    A close-up of a no bake lemon cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with a smooth layer of lemon curd and decorated with piped whipped cream around the edges. Lemons are visible in the background.
    Add fresh whipped cream and enjoy!

    Check out all my cheesecake baking tips here.

    A creamy no bake lemon cheesecake with a graham cracker crust is being lifted from a plate. Topped with whipped cream and tangy lemon curd, this lemon curd cheesecake sits amid whole lemons in the background.

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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    Print

    Recipe Card

    clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
    A slice of creamy cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with bright yellow lemon curd and whipped cream, sits on a white plate. A fork holds a bite of cheesecake in the foreground, with lemons in the background.

    Fresh & Tangy No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    Print Recipe
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    This no-bake lemon cheesecake is the kind of dessert that looks fancy but comes together with ease. The graham cracker crust is buttery and crisp, while the filling is lusciously smooth, light, and tangy thanks to fresh lemon juice and extract. Since it skips the oven, it chills in the fridge until set, making it the perfect make-ahead treat topped with whipped cream and lemon curd.

    • Total Time: 8 Hours 25 Minutes
    • Yield: 8-12 Slices 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Crust

    • 150 grams (1 ½ Cups) Graham Cracker Crumbs
    • 3 Tablespoons Granulated/ Caster Sugar
    • 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted

    Cheesecake Filling

    • 12oz (1 ½ Cups) Heavy Whipping Cream
    • 24oz Cream Cheese, completely softened to room temperature
    • 150 grams (1 ¼ Cups) Confectioners/ Powdered Sugar
    • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Zest
    • 2oz (¼ Cup) Fresh-squeezed lemon juice
    • 2oz (¼ Cup) Sour Cream
    • 1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
    • ½ Teaspoon Pure Lemon Extract

    Topping

    • Lemon Curd
    • Fresh Whipped Cream
    • Fresh Berries

    Instructions

    Crust

    1. In a food processor pulse the graham crackers until a fine crumb is reached, and pour into a large bowl. Whisk in the sugar until evenly combined, then stir in the melted butter. The butter should be evenly distributed, and the mixture should look like wet sand.
    2. Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray, then pour the crust inside. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to gently press the crumbs into an even layer and up the sides of the pan. Place the pan in the freezer to set while you prepare the filling.

    Cheesecake Filling

    1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
    2. Scoop the whipped cream into a clean bowl, then add the softened cream cheese to the dirty cream bowl. With the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until softened, 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all of the cream cheese is softened.
    3. Add the confectioner's sugar and lemon zest and mix on low until the powdered sugar is incorporated. Then add the lemon juice, sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon extract, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything is evenly combined.
    4. Add half of the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and use a spatula to gently fold the whipped cream in. When combined, add the remaining whipped cream and fold again. Be careful not to overfold, as this will deflate the cream.
    5. Pour cheesecake filling into the prepared crust and use an offset spatula to spread it into an even layer. Cover the cheesecake with foil or plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight.

    Topping

    1. Release the cheesecake from the springform pan and use a spatula to transfer the cheesecake from the bottom of the pan to a serving plate. Add a layer of lemon curd, then top with fresh whipped cream. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    • Author: Elizabeth Waterson
    • Prep Time: 25 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 Minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Mix
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

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    Comments

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      If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating ⭐ when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. I am incredibly grateful for your support! —xx Liz

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    1. Chad says

      October 20, 2025 at 5:21 pm

      I’m not the biggest lemon person, but loved this recipe so much!!! Such a refreshing treat. I can’t want to make it again!

      Reply

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    elizabeth mixing frosting

    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

    More about me →

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