Classic Philadelphia No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe – Easy and Creamy Dessert

Often deemed to be lighter in texture but having a deeper flavor profile than its New York counterpart, the Philadelphia no-bake cheesecake is an American classic that, incidentally, was born in New York, not Philadelphia.

Even though cream cheese has been used to make cheesecakes even in ancient Greece, it was only in the 1930s that a certain brand of cream cheese was popularized, and so was the cheesecake made with it. The soft, creamy cheese made with whole milk was a worthy counterpart to cream cheeses made in other parts of the country that were made with skimmed milk and mixed with lard to impart a richer mouthfeel.

This cream cheese began being used, not just in sweets, but also as a substitute for yogurt in sauces and dips.

If you have been looking to try this custardy, sweet and salty dessert, but do not intend to break the bank for it, or travel overseas for a bite of this dish, then this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake is perfect for you. This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and minimal kitchen equipment.

Philadelphia no bake cheesecake recipe

Ingredients:

• 901 gm cream cheese
• 602 gm sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 302 ml sour cream
• 104 gm sugar

Method:

1. In a medium bowl, you are going to mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter together until they are very well combined.
2. You can then press this mixture into the bottom of a springform pan and put it in the refrigerator for at least three hours. This step is important in order to set your cheesecake.
3. For the filling, you will take a mixing bowl, and in it, beat cream cheese until it's smooth.
4. Then, you need to gradually add granulated sugar and beat until it's combined.
5. Next, you'll stir in vanilla extract to the mixture of cream cheese and sugar.
6. At this step, you have to fold in sour cream, and mix it well.
7. You have to beat whipping cream with a hand whisk until soft peaks form. It is better you use a hand whisk for this purpose so that the cream does not become very firm.
8. Then, you'll have to combine the whipping cream with the cream cheese mixture.
9. This way, your filling would be ready and now you need to pour the filling into the prepared crust.
10. Given that it's a no-bake cheesecake, you need to put your attention into making the topping of the cheesecake. For that, you have to mix sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
11. Before the cheesecake is ready to be served, you need to let it refrigerate for at least four hours or preferably overnight.
12. Before serving, you can garnish the cheesecake with the topping, and serve.

Tips to keep in mind when making the Philadelphia no bake Cheesecake

• To get the best flavor out of this recipe, you must try to use the best quality cream cheese. If you want, you can substitute your graham cracker crust with a pastry crust. You could also add nuts or chocolate chips for some added texture. If you are one to not play by the rules, you can substitute that traditional cheesecake flavor with strawberry or espresso for a twist.
• As soon as the cheesecake gets made, it is very tempting to dig into it then and there. However, if you fail to cool your cheesecake, you will miss out on its signature flavor.

Each bite of this Philadelphia no bake cheesecake exemplifies the rich history, legacy, and popularity of this delight. Several classic films and popular shows in the English language have romanticized how delicious cheesecake is. It is hardly possible to resist its charm and especially, the ease of preparing this dessert because of its simple ingredients and cooking instructions. Even if you are a new baker who can't make sense of the oven or most things in the kitchen, for that matter, this dish will be perfect to impress your loved ones with. Why? You don't need a bit of baking for this. All you need is some patience, and love for great cheesecake.