Everyone loves cheesecakes. They are easy to make but they have a long bake time. And they are rich, loaded with cream cheese and eggs. In the summertime especially, no-bake cheesecakes are a delightful alternative. You don't have to turn the oven on and they are lighter and not as rich.
In our test kitchen, we have experimented extensively with cheesecakes. We've written articles and an e-book. We've taught classes. But it took us a long time to peruse how to make no-bake cheesecakes that we as a matter of fact enjoyed.
12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS
Cheesecakes have three parts: a crumb crust, a rich cheesecake filling, and maybe a topping such as cherry or strawberry. The crumb crust doesn't have to be baked. The topping can be made on the stovetop or with Instant Clearjel (we'll talk about that in minute) or it can come from a can. But the filling is as a matter of fact a custard that relies upon eggs for coagulation. In your grocery store, you'll find mixes for cheesecakes that rely upon gelatin to set. We've never liked cheesecakes based on gelatin.
We've found that pastry fillings and puddings make a much nicer filler for cheesecakes than does gelatin. The key is in the ratio. You want it firm enough that it cuts nicely but without so much cream cheese that it's overwhelming: Two eight-ounce blocks of cream cheese pairs perfectly with two cups of pudding or filling. When you beat these two together, along with sugar and extract, you have a delightful no-bake cheesecake filling.
Our beloved filling ingredient is Bavarian cream. You can buy premade Bavarian cream or make your own.
What follows is our model method with variations. You can make your own variations or leave off the topping for a vanilla cheesecake.
Strawberry Cream No-Bake Cheesecake (with Variations)
This strawberry cream no-bake cheesecake method makes a delightful refrigerated dessert. The filling is light and smooth. Topped with a strawberry sauce and some fresh strawberries, this cheesecake makes a gorgeous presentation. And it doesn't take much prep time. You'll want to make this often.
For the crust:
1 2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
In a nine-inch springform pan, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar together. Press the composition across the bottom of the pan and up the sides to form the crust. Put the crust in the refrigerator to set the butter while you mix the filling.
For the filling:
2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups Bavarian Cream (see substitutes)
1 teaspoon strawberry flavor
In your stand-type mixer and with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until it is soft and smooth. Add the Bavarian Cream and flavor and continue beating, scraping down the sides once, until smooth.
For the topping:
12-ounce package of icy strawberries (see substitutes)
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar or to taste
3 tablespoons Instant Clearjel (see substitutes)
fresh strawberries to garnish
Defrost and mash the strawberries. Add the water. Mix the sugar and the Instant Clearjel together in a cup. Add the sugar composition to the strawberries and stir until the sauce thickens.
To assemble, spread the filling into the crust and flat with a spatula. Add the strawberry sauce over the top. Add sliced strawberries on top of the sauce. Refrigerate. Peel the ring off the sweetmeat when you are ready to serve.
You will have more sauce than what you need. That's okay. Save it for an ice cream or sweetmeat topping or put it on your pancakes. Leftover sauce can be frozen.
Substitutes:
You may substitute cornstarch for the Instant Clearjel. If you do so, you will need to cook the sauce to thicken it. Cornstarch requires cooking to thicken; Instant Clearjel thickens without cooking. (Original Clearjel thickens when cooked.)
You may substitute vanilla pudding for the Bavarian Cream.
You may use fresh strawberries instead of frozen.
Raspberry Cream No-Bake Cheesecake
Make as per the strawberry cream recipe. Use raspberry flavor and raspberries instead of strawberry flavor and strawberries. Press the mashed raspberries through a sieve to take off the seeds.
Blueberry Lemon No-Bake Cheesecake (with Variations)
Make as per the strawberry cream recipe. Use lemon flavor and a teaspoon of lemon zest in the filling.
Use fresh or icy blueberries instead of the strawberries. Garnish with whipped cream.
Chocolate Cream No-Bake Cheesecake (with Variations)
You can leave off the topping though both strawberry and raspberry topping goes great with chocolate cream.
Melt 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate wafers or quality dark chocolate chips. Drizzle the hot chocolate into the filling while the paddle is turning. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
Homemade Bavarian Cream
1 packet unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons milk or cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups heavy cream (second measure)
1. Pour the milk or cream into a small bowl and then sprinkle the gelatin on top. Set aside.
2. Whisk the egg yolks and the sugar together.
3. Heat the milk composition over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Do not boil. take off from the heat.
4. To temper the eggs, gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture. Once the eggs and hot milk composition is combined, cook the composition in a double boiler or over simmering water, stirring, until it starts to thicken and simmer. Add the vanilla. Place the bowl in an ice bath and stir until the composition cools to room temperature.
5. Whip the second quantum of whipped cream. Fold in the whipped cream. Refrigerate until you are ready to use the Bavarian Cream.
