No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Bars
These creamy No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Bars are bright, tangy, and incredibly simple—made with lemon jello, cream cheese, graham crackers, and whipped cream. Perfect for warm days or when you just can’t deal with the oven.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 packages lemon jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 24 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Prepare the crust:
- Lightly spray a 9x9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and salt. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand and is fully combined. Firmly press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer. Place the dish in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
Dissolve the lemon gelatin:
- In a separate small bowl, combine the lemon jello powder and the boiling water. Stir thoroughly until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before incorporating it into the filling.
Prepare the cheesecake filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with the confectioners’ sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and free of lumps. Add the cooled lemon jello mixture, along with the heavy whipping cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat the mixture using an electric mixer until it thickens slightly and appears smooth and airy.
Assemble and chill:
- Carefully pour the lemon cheesecake filling over the chilled graham cracker crust. Spread the filling evenly with a spatula. Transfer the dish to the refrigerator and allow it to chill for a minimum of 4 hours, or until the filling is fully set.
Serve:
- Once chilled, slice the bars into squares. Garnish with additional whipped cream and lemon zest, if desired. Serve chilled.
Notes
To prepare these no bake lemon cheesecake bars without gluten, simply replace the standard graham crackers with certified gluten-free graham crackers. Most other ingredients in this recipe—such as cream cheese, lemon jello, and heavy cream—are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure. The texture and flavor remain just as rich and refreshing.