• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lynn's Way of Life
  • CCPA Notice
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Fall Recipes
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Meet Lynn
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Recipes
  • Seasonal Recipes for the Whole Family
  • Spring Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Summer Recipes
  • Supplemental Privacy Policy for Nevada Residents
  • Web Stories
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Meet Lynn
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Meet Lynn
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » The Easiest 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake

The Easiest 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake

Published: Nov 20, 2023 by Lynn Polito · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

1 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe

Whip up a quick, no-fuss 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake with only three essentials: cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and a hint of vanilla extract. No baking required—just mix, chill, and savor the simplicity!

Raspberries top the 3-ingredient no bake cheesecake on a fluted plate.

I love a good traditional cheesecake just as much as the next person, but it can be difficult to bake correctly. You need a springform pan, a water bath, lots of time, no thank you! This one is made with a store-bought graham cracker crust and a few ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!

This no bake cheesecake recipe is easy to make and it's versatile! You can add lots of delicious toppings or make a cheesecake bar to let people top their own cheesecake how they would like! It's a win/win whenever you make this easy cheesecake recipe! A no bake eggnog pie is another no bake dessert that you will love!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake
  • Ingredients to Gather
  • How To Make 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake
  • Can I Make My Own Homemade Graham Cracker Crust?
  • Variations and Toppings for No Bake Cheesecake
  • Storage Instructions
  • Recipe FAQS
  • More Easy Desserts
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake

  • It's easy to make! Add you have to to is mix the creamy filling together and pour it into the store-bought crust. Let it hang out in the refrigerator and enjoy a few hours later!
  • It's versatile! This recipe is perfect on it's own, or you can top it with blueberry sauce, chocolate sauce, lemon curd, caramel sauce, or your favorite cheesecake topping.
  • It's an easy dessert for special occasions! Even though it only has a few ingredients, it's incredibly impressive and a perfect dessert to enjoy on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any type of shower you are hosting.

Ingredients to Gather

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious cheesecake!

The ingredients for the 3 ingredient no bake cheesecake are labeled.
  • Full-fat cream cheese. It is important that it is full fat cream cheese. Lower fat or fat free cream cheese tends to be softer and has more water in it, so it will not hold the shape and will make the cream cheese mixture more watery. Philadelphia cream cheese makes a great cream cheese, but Aldi or your favorite grocery store usually has a store brand too.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk. One can. This will give the cheesecake batter a sweeter flavor since we are not using any type of sweetener.
  • Vanilla Extract. This is optional, but highly recommended. Lemon juice is also a great flavor enhancer for the cheesecake if you prefer not using vanilla extract.

See printable recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake

The softened cream cheese is added to the bowl of a stand mixer.
The cream cheese is added to the stand mixer.

Place the softened cream cheese into the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix for 1 minute on medium speed until the cream cheese is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure the cream cheese is well mixed. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix again for 1 minute.

The batter is added to the store-bought graham cracker crust.

Pour the cheesecake batter into the graham cracker crust. Cover with the plastic cover or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best!

Lynn's Tip! An offset spatula is a great tool to use to make sure the top of the cheesecake is smooth and even.

Can I Make My Own Homemade Graham Cracker Crust?

Making your own homemade graham cracker crust is actually quite easy.

To make it, place 10 graham crackers in a food processor. Add 5 tablespoons of melted butter and ¼ cup of sugar. Blend until graham cracker crumbs form. Press the graham cracker crumbs into a pie dish. No need to bake it at this point, just let it set in the refrigerator while you make the perfect cheesecake batter.

A pie holder is holding a 3-ingredient no bake cheesecake slice.

Variations and Toppings for No Bake Cheesecake

Here are some suggestions for toppings or flavorings to add to a no bake cheesecake. As always, enjoy with your family favorite toppings too!

  • Swirl in some lemon curd to the cheesecake batter for a no bake lemon cheesecake and top with some fresh lemon zest.
  • Add some cherry pie filling for a cherry pie cheesecake.
  • Mix some fresh, cold heavy cream with powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl to make homemade whipped cream.
  • Top with your favorite fresh fruit. My favorite fruit to top creamy desserts are always berries!
  • Add some cookies! Just like my no bake Oreo cheesecake, swirl in some cookies to make an Oreo cheesecake.
  • Make them mini! In the grocery store, you can find mini graham cracker crusts too. Mini cheesecakes are a fun variation of this delicious recipe!
A fork is taking a piece of the 3-ingredient no bake cheesecake.

Storage Instructions

Keep leftovers in the refrigerator in the pie plate or remove the cheesecake from the pie plate and place it in an airtight container.

Making The Cheesecake Ahead of Time

This no bake dessert is perfect to make ahead of time! You can make it up to 3 days ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.

How To Freeze No Bake Cheesecake

Let the cheesecake set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Once it has set, place the cheesecake in the freezer covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can keep the cheesecake in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost the cheesecake, place it in the refrigerator until it is defrosted and serve.

Recipe FAQS

Can I use an electric mixer and large bowl instead of a stand mixer?

Yes! If you do not have stand mixer, you can use an hand mixer and a large bowl. Mix until the ingredients are well combined.

Why is my cheesecake filling lumpy?

To avoid a lumpy cheesecake filling, make sure your cream cheese is softened and make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl before pouring the filling into the crust. Lumps form when the cream cheese is not mixed into the batter well.

Why hasn't my cheesecake set?

Make sure that you are using a full fat cream cheese. The cream cheese will reset in the refrigerator, but if it is fat free or low fat, it will not set and remain mostly a liquid.

More Easy Desserts

  • 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies
  • 3 Ingredient Rice Pudding
  • Easy 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms
  • 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Did you love this recipe? If you did, please leave a 5 ⭐️ rating below! Follow along on Instagram and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

Raspberries top the 3-ingredient no bake cheesecake on a fluted plate.

3 Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake

Whip up a quick, no-fuss 3-Ingredient No Bake Cheesecake with only three essentials: cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and a hint of vanilla extract. No baking required—just mix, chill, and savor the simplicity!
5 from 24 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 259kcal
Author: Lynn Polito

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons

Ingredients

  • 1 Premade Graham Cracker Pie Crust
  • 2 bricks Full Fat Cream Cheese Softened to room temperature
  • 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract OPTIONAL but highly recommended

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the softened cream cheese. Mix for 1 minute on medium speed until light and fluffy.
  • Open the can of sweetened condensed milk and mix until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix again until the batter is creamy. Add the vanilla extract if you are using it.
  • Pour the mixture into the pre-made graham cracker crust. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Notes

  • Keep leftovers in the refrigerator in the pie plate or remove the cheesecake from the pie plate and place it in an airtight container.
  • To avoid a lumpy cheesecake filling, make sure your cream cheese is softened and make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl before pouring the filling into the crust. Lumps form when the cream cheese is not mixed into the batter well.
  • It is important that it is full fat cream cheese. Lower fat or fat free cream cheese tends to be softer and has more water in it, so it will not hold the shape and will make the cream cheese mixture more watery.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @LynnsWayofLife or tag #lynnswayoflife!

More Dessert Recipes

  • A pile of white chocolate peppermint fudge is on a white plate surrounded by small candy canes.
    White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge (3 Ingredients!)
  • A pile of peanut butter and jam thumbprint cookies is shown.
    Peanut Butter and Jam Thumbprint Cookies
  • A 3-Ingredient Nutella Cookie is shown being surrounded by six other cookies.
    Easy 3-Ingredient Nutella Cookies
  • A slice of the no-bake eggnog pie is on a plate with a fork and a cinnamon stick.
    Creamy No-Bake Eggnog Pie (Only 5 Ingredients!)

Sharing is caring!

1 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Subscribe

for your weekly recipe fix.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hey there! I'm Lynn and I'm based just outside of Boston. I'm a wife and mom of two with a passion for cooking and creating homemade food for my family.

Whether it's creating new recipes, or exploring tried and true classics, I am constantly trying to show that homemade doesn't have to be hard

More about me →

Holiday Baking Recipes

  • A pile of peanut butter and jam thumbprint cookies is shown.
    Peanut Butter and Jam Thumbprint Cookies
  • Snowflakes and gingerbread women are decorated on baking sheets.
    Easy Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies
  • Four cookies are stacked on a cutting board with eggnog in the background.
    The Best Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookies!
  • A cookie plate is surrounded by red ribbon.
    Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Pinterest

People are Loving!

  • A piece of the stack of pancakes with self-rising flour is on a fork.
    The Best Fluffy Pancakes (With Self-Rising Flour!)
  • The banana bread with self rising flour is cut into slices and is on a cutting board.
    Banana Bread Recipe with Self-Rising Flour
  • An overhead shot of the Instant Pot Shrimp Scamp in a bowl
    Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Recipe
  • A fork and knife are cutting into the waffle.
    Waffles With Self Rising Flour
  • The sourdough pretzel bites are on a tray with mustard
    Sourdough Pretzel Bites
  • An overhead shot of the muffins in a muffin tin.
    Easy Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Holiday Favs!

  • A slice of the no-bake eggnog pie is on a plate with a fork and a cinnamon stick.
    Creamy No-Bake Eggnog Pie (Only 5 Ingredients!)
  • A close up of one peppermint bark blondie
    Brown Butter Peppermint Bark Blondies
  • A stack of pancakes has a dollop of whipped cream with heart sprinkles on it.
    Grinch Pancakes (From Scratch!)
  • The tree is baked.
    Festive Christmas Focaccia

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • What is Lynn's Way of Life

Let's Connect!

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookie Policy

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Lynn's Way of Life