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No Bake Cheesecake Jars

These no bake cheesecake jars are a quick, portable dessert that requires no oven or baking. Made with a creamy filling of softened cream cheese, whipped heavy cream, and a buttery graham cracker crust, they come together with simple assembly and chilling. The final result is a smooth, luscious cheesecake filling layered over a crunchy crust, topped with fresh fruit or other toppings for a personalized treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs for crust
  • 2 tbsp melted butter to bind the crust
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar for sweetness
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract for flavor
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice brightens the filling
  • 1 cup heavy cream chilled for whipping
  • optional fresh berries or toppings for garnish

Equipment

  • Small jars or glasses with lids
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Piping bag or extra spoon
  • Rolling pin

Method
 

  1. Crush the graham crackers: place them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush until fine, about 1-2 minutes.
  2. Mix the crust: combine the crushed crackers with melted butter and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand.
  3. Divide the crust mixture evenly into the bottoms of your small jars, pressing down firmly with the back of a spoon or a small flat object. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.
  4. While the crust chills, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  5. Add lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture and mix until fully incorporated, giving the filling a bright, tangy flavor.
  6. In a separate bowl, whip the chilled heavy cream to soft peaks, about 3 minutes, until it becomes light and fluffy with visible peaks.
  7. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, folding carefully to keep the filling airy and smooth.
  8. Spoon or pipe the creamy filling over the chilled crust in each jar, filling almost to the top and smoothing the surface with a spatula.
  9. Cover the jars and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the filling to firm up and flavors to meld.
  10. Before serving, top with fresh berries or your favorite toppings. Serve chilled with a small spoon and enjoy this luscious, portable dessert.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a splash of citrus zest or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel over the top before serving. You can also customize with different toppings like chopped nuts or fruit preserves.