Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (2024)

Home Recipes Dessert Cake and Cupcakes Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe

by Jennifer Debth

11 Comments

5 from 5 votes

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Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes. A naturally sweetened walnut date crust topped with a creamy coconut yogurt, cream cheese, honey, lemon filling! I love this quick and easy recipe with a short ingredient list!

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  • General
  • Crust ingredients
  • Filling ingredients
  • How to make crust
  • How to make cheesecakes
  • Get the recipe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Nutrition information
  • Ingredients
  • How to Store

Today’s post is sponsored by theCalifornia Walnut Board. All opinions are my own.

Love lighter spring-y treats? You’ll also love: walnut and greek yogurt stuffed dates, healthy zucchini cake, and white bean blondies.

Spring is in the air.

Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking. 😉

At the VERY least, spring has sprung in my kitchen.

Lighter lemon walnut no bake cheesecakes are startin’ us off strong.

A naturally sweetened date and walnut crust topped with a creamy coconut yogurt, cream cheese, honey, lemon filling . . .

I mean . . .

Doesn’t that just SCREAM spring?!

These bite sized treats are quick and easy to make and PACKED with coconut lemon-y goodness.

Who else is dying for a taste?!

Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (2)
Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (3)

Ingredients in a date and walnut cheesecake crust:

  • Dates <– naturally sweetened crust please-and-thank-you
  • California walnuts
    • Walnutsadd good fats, protein, and nutty deliciousness to this cheesecake.
    • Just 1oz of walnuts has 13g polyunsaturated fat and 2.5g monounsaturated fat– including 2.5g omega-3 ALA – and 4g of protein.
    • #winning
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut
  • Lemon zest
  • Salt

Ingredients in a no bake yogurt cheesecake filling:

  • Cream cheese
  • Full fat coconut yogurt
  • Honey
  • Lemon juice
  • Lemon zest

I LOVE this short ingredient list.
Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (4)

How to make a walnut date crust:

  1. Line 18 muffin tin slots (you’ll need 2 (12 slot) non stick muffin tins) with paper cupcake liners. Set aside.
  2. Place dates, California walnuts, coconut, lemon zest, and salt into your food processor.
  3. Process until well combined and the mixture sticks together easily.
  4. Evenly scoop the mixture into the prepared slots.
  5. Use your fingers – or the bottom of a small shot glass – to gently press the mixture down to form an even crust.
  6. Place in freezer for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling.

How do you make lighter lemon walnut no bake cheesecakes?

  1. Place softened cream cheese, coconut yogurt, and honey into a bowl.
  2. Using your hand mixer, beat until well combined and fluffy.
  3. Add in lemon juice and zest and beat, again, until well combined.
  4. Scoop the mixture evenly onto the prepared crusts.
  5. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or until the mixture has firmed up.
  6. Remove from freezer and let soften (timing depends on how soft you want these).
  7. Serve with whipped cream and fruit!

The crust alone is super addicting, sweet and perfectly nutty, and when combined with a tangy, honey, coconut, bright lemon-y fluffy cheesecake filling . . .

I mean . . .

Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (5)Are you dying for a taste yet?!

– Jennifer

Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (6)

Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes

5 from 5 votes

Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes. A naturally sweetened walnut date crust topped with a creamy coconut yogurt, cream cheese, honey, lemon filling!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Yield: 18 cheesecakes

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Walnut Date Crust:

  • 1 (8 oz) package dates pits removed, about 2 cups
  • 2 cups California Walnuts
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Lighter No Bake Cheesecake Filling:

  • 2 (8 oz) packages full fat cream cheese room temperature
  • 2 (8 oz) containers full fat coconut yogurt room temperature
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice room temperature
  • zest of 2 lemons

Optional Garnishes:

  • Whipped cream
  • Drizzle of honey
  • Berries

Instructions

Walnut Date Crust:

  • Line 18 muffin tin slots (you'll need 2 (12 slot) non stick muff tins) with paper cupcake liners. Set aside.

  • Place dates, California Walnuts, coconut, lemon zest, and salt into your food processor.

  • Process until well combined and the mixture sticks together easily.

  • Evenly scoop the mixture into the prepared slots.

  • Use your fingers - or the bottom of a small shot glass - to gently press the mixture down to form an even crust.

  • Place in freezer for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling.

Lighter No Bake Cheesecake Filling:

  • Place softened cream cheese, coconut yogurt, and honey into a bowl.

  • Using your hand mixer, beat until well combined and fluffy.

  • Add in lemon juice and zest and beat, again, until well combined.

  • Scoop the mixture evenly onto the prepared crusts.

  • Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or until the mixture has firmed up.

  • Remove from freezer and let soften (timing depends on how soft you want these, about 10-30 minutes).If you leave them in the freezer longer, they’ll require more time to soften (about an hour at room temperature)

  • Serve with optional garnishes and enjoy!

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a softer cheesecake or in the freezer for a firmer cheesecake (and again, let come to room temperature slightly).

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:5 Days

Freezer:6 Months

Reheat:If frozen, thaw in fridge before serving

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes

Amount Per Serving (1 cheesecake)

Calories 262 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 126mg5%

Potassium 187mg5%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 340IU7%

Vitamin C 1.6mg2%

Calcium 42mg4%

Iron 0.7mg4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: lightened up, no bake, walnut date crust

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Thanks again to our friends attheCalifornia Walnut Boardfor sponsoring today’s post!

Reader Interactions

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    All Comments 0 Questions 0 Reviews

  1. Marisa

    Floresta, Buenos Aires F.D.

    Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (17) Great recipe!

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Thanks, Marisa! 🙂

  2. Michelle

    United States

    Delicious, perhaps mention the dates must be pitted. I had to sort through my food processor to find the pits…oops!

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Apologies! Mine were already pitted, so I didn’t even think of that! Added 🙂 So glad you enjoyed these!

  3. Rachel

    Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Could you use full-fat greek yogurt instead of coconut yogurt?

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Sure! As long as it’s super thick. I would use a flavor though, like vanilla!

  4. Kasey

    Amarillo, Texas

    Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (18) Used only 1/2 the lemon in the topping but subbed lemon yogurt. So tart & delicious!

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Thanks Kasey!

Lighter Lemon Walnut No Bake Cheesecakes Recipe - Quick & Easy! (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a no bake cheesecake set faster? ›

Generally speaking they only take 8–12 hours to set in the fridge, so making it the night before is always preferable. I can hardly think of a situation where you'd need a no bake cheesecake in the next couple of hours. However when setting the base I would recommend using the freezer.

What happens if you add too much lemon juice to cheesecake? ›

Nigella found that adding just 1 teaspoon of lemon juice gave the right balance. You could add a few drops extra if you wish but be careful as too much acid could start to curdle the other ingredients.

How do you make a cheesecake set faster? ›

Use a cooler environment: Place the cheesecake in the coldest part of your refrigerator, usually the back or bottom shelf. This will help it chill faster. Cut into smaller portions: If you're in a hurry, you can cut the cheesecake into smaller portions. This will allow them to cool faster than a whole cheesecake.

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

16 Mistakes You're Making With Homemade Cheesecake
  1. Working with cold ingredients. Hobo_018/Getty Images. ...
  2. Using whipped cream cheese. ...
  3. Using low-fat cream cheese. ...
  4. Undermixing your cheesecake. ...
  5. Not diversifying your cheeses. ...
  6. Not being careful with your eggs. ...
  7. Only making plain cheesecake. ...
  8. Baking in anything but a springform pan.
May 29, 2023

Why is my no bake cheesecake not setting up? ›

The primary reason a no-bake cheesecake is too runny or doesn't set up properly is generally the temperature of the ingredients. If your cream cheese is too warm, the mixture will be too soft and will never set up properly.

What brand of cream cheese is best for cheesecake? ›

Philadelphia cream cheese is a popular brand of cream cheese that is often used in cheesecake recipes, but there are many other brands of cream cheese that can be used as well.

Does no bake cheesecake get firm? ›

But given time to chill all the way down to 40°F (4°C), which takes about six hours, the filling becomes firm and dense, much more like a "real" cheesecake and far easier to slice. During that time, the filling will lend some of its moisture to the crust, making it considerably less crumbly.

What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›

Eggs: Three whole eggs hold the cheesecake together. I also add an extra yolk, which enhances the cake's velvety texture. (Whites tend to lighten the cake, which is actually fine — if you don't feel like separating that fourth egg and don't mind some extra airiness in the texture, just add in the whole egg.)

Why won t my lemon cheesecake set? ›

Make sure not to scrimp on the lemon juice – it's the magic ingredient that's going to set your cheesecake. If you add too little, the mix won't thicken enough and your cheesecake (although still delicious!) won't set in the fridge.

Why is my lemon cheesecake not setting? ›

Chill For A Longer Period

In some cases, your filling just needs more time to chill. No-bake cheesecakes generally need at least 4-6 hours in the refrigerator to set properly. If your filling is still runny after that time, try chilling it for another 2-4 hours.

Which is better baked cheesecake or no-bake? ›

Personal preference plays a significant role in choosing between no-bake and baked cheesecake. No-bake cheesecakes are quick, easy, and perfect for those who prefer a lighter, chilled dessert. On the other hand, baked cheesecakes require more time and effort but offer a more classic, rich, and decadent experience.

Can you eat Philadelphia no-bake cheesecake filling? ›

Yes, Philadelphia makes a 24-ounce tub of pre-made cheesecake filling that you can use directly from the fridge—no baking necessary. The tub has everything you want from the sugary, sweet, cream cheese filling of a cheesecake, and it's ready to serve as-is.

Should I cover no-bake cheesecake in the fridge? ›

No-bake cheesecakes should be stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and prevent spoilage. Here are some tips for storing no-bake cheesecakes: Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any odors from other foods in the fridge.

Can you put a no-bake cheesecake in the freezer to set quicker? ›

Obviously, the goal is to create a firm cheesecake filling, similar to a baked cheesecake filling. After the chill time, if your cheesecake still isn't firm enough, you can freeze it to help it set up. Be careful not to freeze it too long unwrapped though; it can cause the texture to become gritty.

Will no-bake cheesecake harden in the fridge? ›

For a flavor boost, use Biscoff crumbs instead of graham crackers! How long does a no-bake cheesecake take to set in the fridge? Generally at least 6 hours, but most recipes recommend an overnight rest. I think resting for up to 24 hours is fine.

Can cheesecake set in 1 hour? ›

Place the prepared cheesecake on a rack above it and bake for 1 hour without opening the oven. After one hour check your cheesecake. If the side are firm and the whole cheesecake jiggles like JellO then it's ready. If not, bake for another 15 minutes, but no more.

What should I do if my cheesecake didn t set even after 2 hours of baking? ›

It is best to bake it in the oven for 5 to 15 minutes more if the cheesecake is undercooked. Otherwise, you can put the cake in a water bath or let it sit in the fridge for some time to settle.

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