Introduction
These Easy No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Cups are a delightful and refreshing dessert, perfect for summer! With a bright citrus flavor and no baking required, they’re incredibly simple to make. The creamy texture paired with the tangy lemon makes each bite a joyful experience, making them a great choice for gatherings or just a sweet treat at home.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
– 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
– 4 tablespoons melted butter
For the Cheesecake Filling:
– 24 ounces full-fat cream cheese (about 3 cups or 675 grams), at room temperature
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– Zest of 2 large lemons
– Juice of 1 lemon
– 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping; if whipping your own, start with 1 cup liquid
For Garnish:
– Additional whipped cream
– Lemon slices
Prep Time
Approximately 30 minutes
Cook Time
None required
Total Time
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes (including chilling)
Yield
Makes 6 servings
Instructions
Prepare the Crust:
In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Divide the mixture evenly among 6 dessert cups or bowls (stemless wine glasses work well) and press the crumbs down firmly into the bottom.
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
In a large bowl, mix the room temperature cream cheese and powdered sugar until light, fluffy, and smooth. A hand mixer or stand mixer works best for this, on medium to medium-low speed. Add the lemon zest and juice, mixing on medium speed until combined. Gently fold in the whipped cream or whipped topping using a rubber spatula until just combined.
Assemble the Cups:
Transfer the cheesecake mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large open tip or simply cut the end off a disposable piping bag. Swirl the cheesecake filling into each prepared cup on top of the crumb mixture, ensuring even distribution.
Chill:
Place the cups in the refrigerator and chill for about 2 hours until set.
Serve:
Before serving, top each cup with a dollop of whipped cream and a slice of lemon.
Enjoy Your No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Cups! These light and zesty desserts are sure to impress!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Crust:
In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until the crumbs are fully coated. Divide the mixture evenly among 6 dessert cups or bowls, such as stemless wine glasses. Press the crumbs down firmly into the bottom of each cup to create an even crust layer.
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium to medium-low speed to mix the room temperature cream cheese and powdered sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the lemon zest and juice to the mixture, continuing to mix on medium speed until everything is well combined. Once combined, gently fold in the whipped cream or whipped topping using a rubber spatula, being careful not to deflate the mixture and ensuring just combined.
Assemble the Cups:
Transfer the cheesecake filling into a piping bag fitted with a large open tip, or simply cut the end off a disposable piping bag. Carefully swirl the cheesecake filling into each prepared cup on top of the graham cracker crumb crust, making sure to distribute the filling evenly among all cups.
Chill:
Place the assembled cups in the refrigerator and chill for approximately 2 hours, or until the cheesecake filling has set firmly.
Serve:
Before serving, top each cheesecake cup with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a slice of lemon.
Enjoy Your No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Cups!
These light and zesty desserts are sure to impress!
Notes
Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature.
This makes it easier to blend smoothly with the sugar.
Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
Fresh lemon zest and juice enhance the citrus taste of the cheesecake.
Prepare the whipped cream according to package instructions if not using pre-made topping.
If whipping your own, start with 1 cup of heavy cream, and whip until soft peaks form.
These cups can be made a day in advance.
Just store them covered in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness!
You can add more or less powdered sugar to suit your personal taste.
