Easy No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe (with chocolate ganache topping)

This Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe will surprise you with just how decadent it really is. Haven’t made a no-bake cheesecake before? No problem it really is quite simple to pull together and is just as tasty as a baked cheesecake.

With a scrumptious chocolate cookie crumb crust, a smooth, rich, and creamy cream cheese center, and a fudgy chocolate ganache topping you really can’t go wrong. Right? If you love Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake then this recipe is for you.

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Looking for more no-bake desserts? I’ve got loads of them: Easy No Bake Lemon Ice Box Pie, Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle in a Mason Jar, No Bake Cookies Recipe (with Nutella), and this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No need to turn on the oven
• Soft delicate crust
• Rich creamy, decadent cream cheese filling
• Smooth chocolate topping

Equipment You’ll Need

• Food processor or blender
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Springform pan
• Saucepan

Ingredients for Easy No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe

For the base:

• 8 oz of chocolate cookies
• 1/2 cup of butter

For the cream cheese filling:

• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp of instant coffee
• 1 tsp of vanilla
• 8 oz. cream cheese

For the chocolate ganache topping:

• 1/2 bar or 8oz. of semi-sweet or dark chocolate
• 2/3 cup of heavy cream

Alternative chocolate fudge topping:

• 1/2 cup of dark chocolate
• 1/4 stick of butter
• Chocolate chips for decoration

How To Make an Easy No-Bake Cheesecake

For the base:

• Place the cookies in a food processor and process until you have crumbs.
• Add the melted butter and mix to combine.

• Remove the crumb mixture from the processor bowl and press it into a springform pan and cover with parchment paper.
• Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

For the cream cheese portion:

• Heat heavy cream in a saucepan, and add instant coffee making sure not to boil.
• In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese and icing sugar.

• Add the cream and coffee mixture to the cream cheese mixture.

• Beat the cream cheese mixture for 1-2 minutes with a whisk so that it thickens.

• Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the cookie crumb base.
• Smooth the top with a spoon and refrigerator for one hour.

For the chocolate ganache topping:

• Melt chocolate pieces with warm cream until the chocolate becomes a smooth liquid. See Tips below.

• Pour the chocolate ganache mixture over the cheesecake and refrigerator again. It is best to refrigerate overnight.

• Remove from the fridge and decorate with chocolate chips, sprinkles or other cake toppings.
• To cut the cheesecake use a knife that has been run under or dipped in hot water so as to make a clean cut through the cheese and chocolate.  

Tips for the chocolate ganache topping:

• Chop the chocolate bar into small pieces with a serrated knife and set it in a glass bowl.
• Warm heavy cream until just bubbly around the edges and remove from heat.
• Pour cream over chocolate bar pieces and let sit 1-2 minutes before stirring together.
• Allow the chocolate ganache to cool before adding it to the cheesecake so that it will retain its shape.

Troubleshooting Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate is Grainy

Be sure to use quality chocolate, not cheap chocolate chips. Use a glass or metal bowl only. Do not over stir or it will cause the ganache to become very ‘greasy’ looking.

Chocolate isn’t melting

The chocolate for the ganache may not have been chopped finely enough or the heavy cream may not have been warm enough. Either way, it’s much easier to be sure to get these two things right the first time. So not microwave your mixture. Add it to a double-boiler (pot over boiling water) and stir until melted.

Chocolate Seizes

This happens when it comes into contact with water. Be careful not to get any water into the ganache while preparing it. If the chocolate ganache is stiff and in a big clumpy ball, there is no way it will melt. Your best method of action is to start over with fresh ingredients.

What is a No-Bake Cheesecake?

There are two types of cheesecakes you can make; bake and no-bake. No-bake cheesecakes are just that, they do not need to go in the oven to be baked. Rather they must be placed in the fridge or the freezer to set. No-bake cheesecakes don’t have eggs like baked cheesecakes.

Both are good in their own right they do have a different textures. Baked cheesecakes tend to be more dense and thick while no-bake cheesecakes are usually lighter in texture.

Variations of No-Bake Cheesecake

• Use whatever cookies you have on hand, most cookies make a great crust once they are crumbled. Oreo cookies are a great option and graham crackers work well too.
• Add fresh fruit to the cream cheese layer. Dice it into small bite-sized pieces.
• Top the cheesecake with chocolate chips, fresh fruit, whipped cream, cool whip, or anything else you’d use to top a cake with.
• Add a drop of food coloring to the cream cheese mixture to make it more colorful.
• Add some cocoa powder to the cream cheese mixture for a different chocolate cheesecake.

Tips and Tricks For No-Bake Cheesecake

• Make the first step a little easier and use store-bought crumbs. Graham crackers, chocolate cookie crumbs, and Oreo cookie crumbs can usually be found in the baking section of the grocery store.
• Ensure the heavy cream is whipped well so that the cake has a light and fluffy texture.
• Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer taste.
• No dark chocolate on hand? Use chocolate chips instead.

How To Store a No-Bake Cheesecake

A no-bake cheesecake needs to be stored in the fridge. It will keep for a few days in the fridge if it lasts that long!

FAQs

I don’t have a food processor, how can I make the crumb base?

If you don’t have access to store-bought cookie crumbs and you don’t have a food processor or blender you can put the cookies in a plastic bag and crush them with your hands or a rolling pin. You won’t get as fine a texture but you will get cookie crumbs.

Do I need to grease the pan before putting the base in?

I like to grease all my cake pans unless the recipe specifically says not to. Use a cooking spray or olive oil spray and spray the pan lightly so the cake lifts out easily when you cut it.

Do I need to use a springform pan for this no-bake cheesecake?

You don’t need to use a springform pan to make this cheesecake. Traditionally cheesecakes are made using a springform pan as the pan is removed to show off the layers of the cake. I like this set of spring form pans!

Can I make this no-bake cheesecake gluten-free?

To make this no-bake cheesecake gluten-free you can use gluten-free cookies or gluten-free cookie crumbs.

How do I make chocolate ganache without cream?

You can substitute sweetened condensed milk for the cream or whole coconut milk for a non-dairy option.

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