Because of it’s deliciously light flavors and the fact that it is no-oven-required, this lemon cheesecake is the perfect summer dessert.

I should have titled this post “The Best, The Very Best, Honestly, The Ultimate Best Cheesecake Ever.” I know. It sounds dramatic. Major hyperbolish. But that’s the way I feel. And this is coming from a gal who loves her some dark chocolate.

Slice of lemon cheesecake with lemon curd drizzle on top on a white plate.

This no-bake cheesecake (ok, mostly no-bake; the crust is baked but the filling is delightfully cream and not baked) is creamy and light and lemony and so absolutely addicting, I think I ate half of it. And that fact is definitely no hyperbole.

Because of it’s deliciously light flavors and the fact that it is no-oven-required, this is the perfect summer dessert.

Please make it. And when you do, invite me over. I shall show you how to inhale half a cheesecake in one sitting.

Top view of a slice of lemon cheesecake with lemon curd drizzle on top.

FAQs for Lemon Cheesecake

Can I halve this recipe?

Yes, it should halve just fine.

How far in advance can I make this cheesecake?

Probably two days or so.

Can you make the lemon curd ahead of time?

Absolutely!

What if I don’t have a springform pan?

You can use a round cake pan like 9 or 10 inches. If you don’t have those, a 9X13 might work ok. It won’t look as pretty because you can’t take the sides off but will still taste delicious.

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The Best {No-Bake} Lemon Cheesecake

4.80 stars (25 ratings)

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 9 whole rectangular graham crackers, for about 1 1/2 cups (150g) crushed
  • 5 tablespoons (71 g) butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Lemon Curd:

  • 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
  • ¼ cup (53 g) sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g) butter
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Filling:

  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, from about 2 lemons
  • 1 envelope unflavored gelatin, (2 3/4 teaspoons)
  • 3 packages (8-ounces each) (681 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¾ cup (159 g) sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 ¼ cups heavy cream, room temperature

Instructions 

  • For the crust: preheat the oven to 350 degrees and adjust an oven rack to the middle position. In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until they are finely ground. Add the butter and lemon zest and pulse until combined. Alternately, the graham crackers can be crushed in a resealable bag with a rolling pin and then poured into a bowl where the zest and butter can be stirred in. Press the mixture onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until it is lightly golden brown, about 8 minutes. Cool the crust completely on a wire rack before filling.
  • For the curd: while the crust is cooling, whisk the egg, egg yolk, sugar and salt together in a small saucepan. Whisk in the lemon juice and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and pudding-like, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cream. Press the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or sieve into a small bowl and refrigerate until needed.
  • In a small bowl, put the 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let it stand until the gelatin softens, about 5 minutes. Microwave the mixture until it is bubbling around the edges and the gelatin dissolves, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
  • For the filling: In a large bowl with a handheld mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the cream and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the gelatin mixture and 1/4 cup of the refrigerated lemon curd. Beat until the mixture is smooth and airy, about 3 minutes.
  • Pour the filling into the cooled crust and smooth the top. Following the photos below, pour thin lines of remaining curd on top of the cake and lightly drag a pairing knife or skewer through the lines to create a marble appearance. I found it wasn’t quite as easy as I thought to “pour” the lemon curd into lines. I kind of scooped it out of the cup onto the cheesecake and spooned it into lines. It doesn’t have to be perfect since the imperfections are somewhat hidden after you drag through the lines.
  • Refrigerate the cheesecake until set, at least 6 hours. Remove the sides of the pan, cut into slices and serve.
  • Scoop/Pour the lemon curd into thin lines. This doesn’t have to be perfect – it’s a bit hard to pour so do the best you can. (Photo #1 below)
  • Drag the paring knife or skewer through the lines to create the decorative pattern. (Photo #2 below)

Notes

Make-Ahead: the cheesecake can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Cream Cheese: also, it is really important to have the cream cheese at room temperature. If it is too cold, it won’t mix well and there will be a lot of lumps.
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 462kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 144mg, Sodium: 329mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g
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Photo #2
cheesecake with lemon curd designs on top

See? Not too shabby once it’s all finished.
top view of a lemon cheesecake with lemon curd designs on top

Recipe Source: adapted from Cook’s Country June/July 2010