Easy No Bake Cheese Cake

Cheesecake is a popular dessert, and although not overly difficult to make, you can simplify it even more with no-bake recipes. These recipes usually employ another dairy product mixed with the cream cheese to give it a smooth and creamy texture. Instead of baking in the oven, these cheesecake recipes call for refrigeration to thicken and set.

Graham Cracker Crust

This might be the hardest part of an easy no-bake recipe, but of course, you can cheat and buy a prepared graham cracker crust nowadays at almost any grocery store. One cup of graham cracker crumbs--grind in a blender for a superior consistency--placed in a bowl along with 1/3 cup of melted butter and a couple of tablespoons of sugar is all it takes. Use a spoon to press the mix into a 9-inch pie pan. You can make a little more to sprinkle the top of the cheesecake if desired.

If you're making a chocolate cheesecake, graham crackers also come in chocolate flavor, or you could use chocolate wafers or even Oreo cookies.

Cheesecake

One 8 oz. package of cream cheese is all that's needed for an easy no-bake cheesecake recipe. Baking recipes call for two or three packages in some cases. Allow the cream cheese to soften. What to add to the softened cream cheese depends on your personal taste. Condensed milk, whole milk, whipped topping or even sour cream can be added--or a combination of them all. Other not-so-easy no-bake recipes may call for unflavored gelatin packets to thicken the cheesecake. Sugar can be added--1/3 cup to 1/2 cup--or not. Some recipes rely on the sweetness of the whipped topping and the fruit or chocolate topping to sweeten the recipe.

Some lemon juice and vanilla--a teaspoon or two of each--can be folded in to enhance the flavor of the cheesecake.

If desired, a pinch of salt can be added but only recommended if you're using sugar as an added sweetener.

Blend the ingredients until smooth and use a rubber spatula to fill the graham cracker crust.

Refrigerate the cheesecake for two to four hours before serving.

Topping

The best part of the cheesecake is using your favorite topping. Strawberries, cherries, chocolate flakes or chips, pineapple--the possibilities are endless. While canned fruit adds a soupy concoction of sweetness--whether sugar-free or not--fresh fruit is also a delicious alternative that can enhance the recipe with both flavor and aesthetic appeal. If you're looking for easy, slice the cheesecake first, and then add the topping to the individual slices before serving.

Tags: cream cheese, graham cracker, recipes call, before serving, cheesecake desired, cracker crust, easy no-bake