Make this luscious no bake cheesecake with condensed milk for a super easy but really tasty dessert. Make it as a pie or in individual jars for a fun single serve dessert. Then add your favorite toppings to make it an extra special treat.
If you enjoy easy to make creamy desserts, you are in the right place. This no bake cheesecake recipe takes only a few minutes to put together and it tastes amazing.
My family loves no bake cheesecake. They like the lighter softer creamy texture and all of the cream cheese flavor.
There are tons of recipes on the site for different no bake cheesecake varieties, but I didn’t have a recipe for a classic vanilla flavor. So I though it was time to fix that!
Because of the popularity of my condensed milk cheesecake recipe, I figured a no bake cheesecake made with condensed milk would be perfect. After a little tinkering, I can tell you it really is!
The filling only takes three ingredients. The fluffy texture is soft and delicious, but it is solid enough to serve as a nice slice.
It is sweet enough, but not too sweet. And the tang of the cream cheese really comes through.
Making this Easy No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe
Start by getting your crust together. You can make a graham crackers crust from graham cracker crumbs and melted butter or use another flavor of cookie crumbs to add another layer of flavor.
Using chocolate cookies like Oreos or spiced Biscoff cookies would be very easy ways to customize the crust. You can even pick up a premade graham cracker or chocolate crust if you would like.
For the best results, make sure the cream cheese is good and softened before you get started. That is key to getting the smoothest filling.
Then beat the cream cheese until it is smooth. Be sure the scrape the beaters and the sides of the bowl a few times along the way.
Now slowly add a can of sweetened condensed milk, mixing on low until each addition is incorporated. Again, make sure stop and scrape the bowl and beater a couple of times.
Adding sour cream adds the acid you need to set the cheesecake without watering it down. Just a tiny bit of lemon juice will help to set it further if you want nice slices. So beat that in and scoop the cream cheese filling into your crust.
Now chill your pie for several hours. It will take at least three or four hours to cut a decent slice. Overnight is even better if you have the chance to make the cheesecake a day in advance.
To make serving your cheesecake even easier and reduce the chill time, make mini cheesecakes in jars. Just layer the crumb mixture, cheesecake batter and any topping you would like in small 4 oz. jars.
You get the perfect texture in a fraction of the time. Then you can easily serve the cheesecake by just passing out a jar and a spoon.
Serve with fresh fruit, a simple strawberry sauce, blackberry sauce, peach vanilla sauce, a drizzle of chocolate, whipped cream or whatever your heart and taste buds desire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cheesecake better baked or no-bake?
Both are fabulous, but different. Traditional cheesecake is a bit more dense, but super delicious. Some recipes require a water bath which can be a challenge, but they are a perfect dessert for special occasions.
No bake cheesecakes are lighter and fluffier. They usually only require a few simple ingredients and are perfect for when you don’t feel like using the oven.
How do you keep a no-bake cheesecake from being runny?
Some recipes use gelatin to keep the filling from being runny. This easy recipe uses acidity from sour cream to set the filling.
It does require several hours in the refrigerator to set, but it takes almost no effort to put together. After testing, I have discovered that beating the filling too much can also keep the filling from setting.
Keeping the mixer on low and mixing only as much as is needed to incorporate everything will help to ensure a firmer texture.
Keys for Success
After some experimenting, I have found that beating the filling too much can keep it from setting properly.
The pictures below are two cheesecakes made using this recipe. Both used the exact same ingredients.
They were store brand, full fat cream cheese, and sour cream. Plus the same brand of condensed milk.
While both are delicious, you can see there are several differences between the two. The pie with the filling that was beaten on high for a longer period of time is fluffier and the crust is more full.
That filling has a nice smooth texture, but it is also softer and the piece didn’t hold its shape when it was cut and served, even after chilling overnight. So if you want to beat the filling longer for that fluffier filling, I would suggest adding a teaspoon or two of lemon juice to help set the filling a little bit more.
More Great No Bake Cheesecake Recipes
The flavors of coffee and chocolate collide in a creamy and delicious no bake mocha cheesecake. It’s an elegant dessert that is made in a springform pan and it is a perfect make ahead treat.
Mini no bake lemon cheesecakes are served in an individual jar making them perfectly portable and giftable. The easy homemade blueberry topping is the perfect accompaniment to make them shine.
Orange creamsicle no bake cheesecake is the perfect creamy mix of vanilla and orange in a fun creamy cheesecake package. This is the perfect summertime dessert!
Did you make this great recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!
No Bake Cheesecake With Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crust
- 16 oz. cream cheese softened
- 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese on low speed until it is creamy and lump free. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl and the beater a few times along the way.16 oz. cream cheese
- Slowly add the condensed milk, mixing on low after each addition until it is incorporated fully.14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
- Mix in sour cream until incorporated. If using lemon juice, add now.⅓ cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the prepared crust.Graham cracker crust
- Chill for at least 4 hours, though longer is better, before serving.
Kimberly
Sunday 7th of April 2024
I can't wait to try this but first I have a couple questions. I don't have glass jars or a spring form pan. Can I use a pyrex pie dish? Also, can I "whisk" with a fork? I don't have any mixers. I appreciate that you combined the sweetened condensed milk with the sour cream. Few recipes call for that.
Carlee
Sunday 7th of April 2024
Yes, a pie dish will work well. Whisking with a fork should work. Just make sure you cream cheese is good and softened. If it is still cold, it will be hard to get all of the lumps out. I hope you enjoy it!
Liz
Saturday 2nd of March 2024
I use this very recipe, but my cheesecake does not set! I have not used sour cream or lemon juice before. So, I am going to try that.
Carlee
Sunday 3rd of March 2024
I hope they help you get the perfect consistency!
Rae Ray Drew
Monday 4th of December 2023
I appreciate you sharing this Carlee. I put my canned sweet condensed milk in the refrigerator overnight before using, which made the mixure thicker. Taste great, thank you.
Carlee
Tuesday 5th of December 2023
That is a great idea! I am glad you liked it!
Lisa
Thursday 23rd of November 2023
I have made this recipe for years and it always set up perfectly. Then about 3 years ago it stopped setting up. I do not know why but suspect one of the ingredients may have changed. I struggled through many failed attempts and finally got perfection just by adding more lemon juice. Also, altitude can make a difference even with no bake recipes. Thanks for a great recipe!
Carlee
Thursday 23rd of November 2023
A little lemon juice does help quite a bit. I do wonder if one of the ingredients has changed over the year, that would bake sense. I am so glad you like it!
Kenneth
Monday 11th of September 2023
Humidity matters especially in Texas, crank up your ac to help pull moisture from the air and dont open the fridge over and over again checking it, it adds moisture to your fridge every time you open it.
Carlee
Monday 11th of September 2023
That is a good point. We live in a pretty humid area too, and that affects a lot of different recipes.