Straightforward Christmas Cheesecake Slab – no bake!

December 7, 2024

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This no bake Christmas cheesecake is designed for scorching Aussie summers – no sweating over a sizzling oven! Designed to serve a crowd, it’s the best cheesecake recipe I do know but it nonetheless captures all of the hallmarks of a gorgeous traditional baked cheesecake.

Embellish with whipped cream, berries and rosemary sprigs for a simple, fairly festive look.

A Christmas dessert for warm summer time days

This Christmas dessert is made particularly with fellow Aussies in thoughts. Whereas half the world is having fun with the magic of snowy Christmases, right here in Australia, we’re absorbing the blazing summer time solar!

So though there’ll at all times be a spot in my coronary heart for the nice Aussie Pav and traditional Christmas cake, something that doesn’t require an oven will get an additional massive thumbs-up from me. Introducing – my brand-new Christmas cheesecake that doesn’t require use of the oven in any respect!

I really like that it appears to be like so festive but there’s no twiddling with fondant or searching down Christmas cake toppers. It’s simply berries, orange slices, rosemary and a dusting of icing sugar!

Christmas Cheesecake - slab no bake cheesecake

About this Christmas Cheesecake

That is formally the best cheesecake recipe I do know. It’s simpler and sooner than baked cheesecakes as a result of there’s no baking, cooling or stressing a few cracked floor.

And it’s simpler than my spherical no-bake cheesecake as a result of this slab type has no biscuit sides (which will be fiddly), simply the bottom!

But , this slab-form festive Christmas cheesecake captures all of the light-but-creamy, indulgent allure of a gorgeous traditional baked cheesecake. It’s not too candy as I’m very specific about sweetness degree in muffins. I describe it as French / Japanese patisserie degree candy, which is much less candy than typical Western desserts.

It’s in a big rectangle form “slab type” and thinner than common spherical cheesecakes as a result of it’s designed to serve numerous individuals – 18 to 24 individuals. It’s additionally superb for gatherings the place there’s loads of meals as a result of the serving portion will be smaller than reducing wedges of tall spherical cheesecakes.

And have I discussed the Biscoff biscuit base?? Love the Christmasy flavour!

Components

This no bake Christmas cheesecake relies on the traditional no-bake cheesecake I revealed earlier this 12 months – pop over to learn glowing evaluations! Right here’s what you want:

Biscoff biscuit base (or not!)

I take advantage of Biscoff for the bottom as a result of it’s having a second (so that you get avenue cred, particularly with the below 25 crowd), it has built-in vacation flavours (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg – that form of factor) and I just like the wealthy golden color. Nonetheless, you should use any plain biscuits you need – see under for solutions.

Biscoff – That is spiced biscuit from Belgium has been round “eternally” in Europe however actually gained recognition in recent times because of social media. It’s a beautiful spiced cookie, and superb for this specific recipe due to the vacation spicing, however I actually don’t know why individuals lose their minds over it. (Talking frankly, as a totally un-hip foodie!).

It’s additionally a little bit dearer than different plain biscuits. Don’t fret when you can’t discover it or desire a extra economical possibility, noting that you have to purchase 2 packets because the recipe requires 300g/10oz and every packet is 250g/8.8oz. (I did strive with only one packet however the base was too skinny and lacked construction).

Different biscuit choices – you should use any plain biscuits you need. Marie Crackers (widespread cheesecake base right here in Australia), digestives, graham crackers (US). You may also add a contact of additional spices for vacation flavour if you need (nutmeg, ginger, all spice), see recipe notes for quantities.

Keep away from biscuits/cookies coated with chocolate, or sandwiched with filling (like Oreos) as a result of it might have an effect on how nicely this no-bake base units.
Butter – That is what holds the cheesecake base collectively as a result of it solidifies when the cheesecake is refrigerated.
Sugar – Only a smidge, for a lift of sweetness within the base. It’s, in any case, the vacations! 🙂
Cinnamon – For an additional contact of vacation flavour.

The no-bake cheesecake filling

Alarmed since you noticed gelatine? Don’t be! See under for why.

Cream cheese – I at all times use Philadelphia however when you’ve had success with one other model, be at liberty to make use of that.

Softened to room temperature – Take it out of the fridge at the very least 1 hour prior so the cream cheese is softened, not fridge-cold-hard. We wish to have the ability to beat it so it’s fairly delicate, clean and fluffy so the whipped cream mixes effortlessly into it with out knocking out the air (which suggests a beautiful mild aerated cheesecake filling = win!). It’s additionally essential to make sure the gelatine mixes in easily. No one needs little bits of gelatine of their cheesecake! 😱

Blocks not tubs – This recipe requires cream cheese blocks that are firmer than cream cheese in tubs that are softer as they’re designed for spreading. Should you can solely get tubs, you simply want to make use of a little bit extra gelatine. See notes within the recipe card for amount.
Gelatine – That is important for a no-bake cheesecake that rivals the feel of a gorgeous traditional baked cheesecake (which has egg within the filling, that’s what units it), one that’s light-yet-creamy but set sufficient to chop slices. With out gelatine, you want extra cream cheese so the cheesecake units sufficient to chop, which suggests it’s heavier and denser. See FAQ under for some background on variations I attempted.

Gelatine is low cost, straightforward to make use of, and bought at common grocery shops. I desire to make use of powder somewhat than gelatine leaves after I can as a result of it’s extra accessible and (essential to me) the power is comparatively common world wide. The identical can’t be stated for gelatine leaves. 🙂

Discover gelatine powder within the baking aisle in small tubs (pictured above) or packets of small sachets (open and measure utilizing a teaspoon).
Water – That is to “bloom” the gelatine (defined within the step images under). I take advantage of the naked minimal for the quantity of gelatine I take advantage of – simply 3 tablespoons – so we don’t dilute flavour.
Whipping cream – Whipped cream helps create a beautiful mild textured filling by aerating the cream cheese. You need to use thickened / heavy cream, or common cream. Simply make certain it may be whipped as a result of not all cream is made for whipping (for instance, pouring cream, dolloping cream). The label ought to say if it may be whipped.

Couple extra cream guidelines:
1. No low fats! Now is just not the time! It’ll compromise the feel.
2. Fridge chilly! The cream must be fridge chilly else it won’t whip correctly.
Sugar – Greatest to make use of caster sugar (superfine sugar) that are finer grains than common sugar (granulated sugar) so we will be assured it should dissolve. It’s particularly essential as a result of it is a no-bake recipe so we don’t have warmth on our facet right here to soften the sugar. Should you solely have common sugar, that’s okay. Simply beat the cream cheese for a little bit longer than per the recipe and rub the combination between your fingers to make sure there’s no sugar grains left.
Vanilla – Please use vanilla extract which is actual flavour extracted from vanilla beans (therefore the identify!) somewhat than vanilla essence which is imitation. It’s particularly essential for no-bake recipes as a result of the vanilla flavour is “uncooked” and doesn’t get pleasure from baking within the oven to carry out the flavour.
Lemon juice – Only a contact, to carry a smidge of tang to the filling. It’s not a deal breaker when you don’t have it, simply go away it out.
Salt – Commonplace baking apply as of late to carry out the flavours in candy baked items. We use only a tiny quantity so it doesn’t make it salty by any stretch of the creativeness.

Decorations

For a Christmas look, I smothered the cheesecake with a reasonably beneficiant quantity of whipped cream then embellished it with berries and rosemary dusted with icing sugar.

I additionally tucked in some orange slices so as to add a pleasant splash of vibrant orange and break up the busy mass of berries. I feel it really works fairly nicely!

Different adorning concepts – The rectangle cheesecake floor is actually like a clean canvas, prepared so that you can work your magic! Listed below are just a few extra adorning concepts:

Aussie summer time Pavlova model! I see passionfruit, mango slices, strawberries and blueberries with little mint leaves for a splash of color. Attractive!
Fruit compote and sauces (additionally see Mango Cheesecake, Strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake, and Blueberry Cheesecake Bars);
Sauce – Serve with a chocolate or salted caramel sauce, although after I make chocolate or caramel cheesecakes I prefer to get these flavours contained in the cheesecake too by swirling them in (I additionally normally add a hidden layer inside, for additional influence). They are going to be coming onto my web site ultimately! 🙂
Sprinkle of nuts and/or chocolate shavings – Assume, macadamia and white chocolate, peanuts and darkish chocolate, pecans and chocolate, pistachios or almonds. Pretty addition of texture!
Fairly spring backyard – Edible flowers, petals and leaves (dried or contemporary), pistachios, gold leaf! I’ve visions I hope to make a actuality someday. 🙂

Easy methods to make this Slab No Bake Cheesecake

This slab type cheesecake is simpler than my traditional spherical no bake cheesecake which has a biscuit wall. Though not technically tough, biscuit partitions is usually a bit fiddly when you’re a primary timer.

The one essential step to recollect is to line the pan with loads of paper overhang so you may simply elevate the cheesecake out of the pan as soon as it’s set.

1. biscoff crust

Should you don’t have a meals processor, simply put the biscuits in a ziplock bag and bash with a rolling pin or meat mallet (it’s very satisfying). Due to the amount we’re utilizing, you would possibly discover it simpler to do that in two batches.

Put together pan – Evenly grease a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13″ rectangle pan with butter or a plain oil spray (I take advantage of canola), simply sufficient for paper to stay. I emphasise LIGHTLY as a result of when you use an excessive amount of butter, it acts as a glue as soon as refrigerated so you must wait till the butter softens earlier than eradicating the cheesecake (Sure I do know this from private expertise 😁)

Then line the pan with baking paper (parchment paper) with LOTS of overhang on the lengthy facet, to make it straightforward to elevate the cheesecake out on the finish. It’s okay when you don’t get 100% protection on the bottom (like mine, as a result of normal baking paper is a little bit shorter than my pan).
Blitz – Break the Biscoff biscuits up roughly by hand and blitz till they grow to be high-quality crumbs, about 10 to fifteen seconds on excessive, relying on how highly effective your meals processor is. Add the butter, cinnamon, sugar and salt, then blitz once more till it turns into moist sand.

CHECK for clumping potential! The combination ought to press collectively nicely when pinched between fingers. That is essential to test as a result of structural integrity of the bottom is essential to make sure your cheesecake holds collectively while you elevate it out of the pan!

⚠️ Not urgent collectively? Simply add a little bit additional melted butter. You may need this drawback when you used a decrease fats biscuit than Biscoff, or in the event that they have been a bit stale.

Pour the crumbs into the ready pan.
Press it in firmly. The firmer you press it in, the extra steady your base can be. Then refrigerate till required.

Word: The thought right here with this no-bake biscuit base is that the melted butter solidifies and that is what holds the biscuits crumbs collectively.

2. BLOOM THE GELATINE

There isn’t any must worry gelatine! It’s easy to make use of when you simply observe the steps I’ve supplied. There’s a purpose for each path!

Bloom gelatine – Put the water in a small bowl then sprinkle the gelatine throughout the floor. Combine with a small whisk (or spoon) – it should grow to be like lumpy jelly. Then go away it for five minutes. That is known as “blooming” the gelatine, and it makes gelatine powder dissolve so it may be stirring into liquids to make them set.

⚠️ Don’t dump the gelatine in a single place and don’t pour water into the gelatine. This could trigger the gelatine to show into a giant lump instantly.
Rubbery! The gelatine ought to solidify right into a agency rubber. If it doesn’t, then your gelatine is lifeless – time to get one other!

Gently re-melt – Microwave for 15 seconds on excessive to soften it then combine till lump free.⚠️ Don’t let it boil as it may well destroy the setting talents of gelatine.
Cool for five minutes when you make the filling. The melted gelatine can be whipped into the filling.

⚠️ Be certain that the gelatine doesn’t have a pores and skin on the floor or sides while you pour it in as this won’t combine into the cheesecake filling correctly. If it does, re-heat for five seconds within the microwave.

⚠️ Don’t pour sizzling gelatine into cream or something that it may soften or deflate. Cool it first however make certain it’s nonetheless in liquid type. It’s okay to make use of barely hotter than room temperature.

3. MAKE FILLING

I desire utilizing a handheld electrical beater to make the filling as you may transfer it across the bowl somewhat than stopping and scraping down the perimeters such as you’d must do with a stand mixer. You additionally solely want to make use of one attachment (the whisks). Should you use a stand mixer, use the whisk attachment to whip the cream, then the paddle attachment for the cream cheese step (stand mixer whisk could aerate it an excessive amount of as a result of it’s extra highly effective = giant ugly bubbles + threat of collapse mid-setting).

Whip cream – Put the cream in a bowl and whip it on excessive for two minutes or till stiff peaks type. We’re not searching for silky delicate whipped cream, we would like full on stiff whipped cream, as this makes our cheesecake stunning mild and fluffy.
Beat cream cheese – Put the cream cheese and sugar in a separate bowl and utilizing the identical whisk (no want to wash it), beat for 1 minute on excessive simply till it’s softly clean. Then add the vanilla, lemon, salt and melted cooled gelatine, then beat it in simply till dispersed.⚠️ Don’t beat excessively as a result of it may well trigger ugly giant air bubbles within the filling (not the tip of the world although, I’m simply fussy!).

Fold in whipped cream – Utilizing a rubber spatula, fold via about 1/4 of the cream into the cream cheese filling. This lightens up the cream cheese combination a bit earlier than including the remainder of the cream, so much less air is knocked out of the cream.As soon as the preliminary cream is usually blended via, gently combine via the remaining cream. Don’t stir vigorously as you’ll knock air out of the whipped cream which is able to make the cheesecake filling denser than we’re aiming for!
Pour the combination into the ready crust.

Clean – Gently unfold the filling throughout the bottom and clean the floor.
Set – Cowl the pan with a big reducing tray, baking tray or foil (not cling wrap, it’d sag and contact the floor). Refrigerate for at the very least 12 hours till the filling is about.

4. REMOVING FROM THE PAN AND DECORATING

Take away cheesecake from pan – Use the paper overhang to elevate the cheesecake out of the pan and switch it to your serving platter. Then slide the paper out from beneath.

Suggestions/notes:
– Sagging base: Don’t fret in case your base sags a little bit bit while you elevate it out, it nonetheless holds collectively. You’ll see within the recipe video mine is just not 100% stiff and straight, and it’s completely okay.
– Caught! It you have been a little bit too enthusiastic greasing your pan with butter and your cheesecake is caught, simply moist a tea towel with sizzling water and put the pan on it to speed up softening the butter with out having to go away the cheesecake out for too lengthy (blazing sizzling Aussie summers are usually not a good friend of cheesecake). It ought to solely take a minute or two.
Embellish as you please! Right here’s what I did for a Christmas Cheesecake look. First, unfold generously with whipped cream.

Pile on berries (I used cherries, raspberries, small strawberries), tuck in orange slices (to interrupt up the visible mass of berries), poke some rosemary sprigs in.
Mud with icing sugar / confectionary sugar. This at all times makes issues look so fairly!

Assemble forward with stabilised whipped cream!

There you go! My model new Christmas dessert for 2024 constructed with practicality in thoughts.

Talking of which, I’ve a gold tip for making this forward! As a result of despite the fact that it’s straightforward to write down the instruction to brighten the cheesecake simply previous to serving, the fact is that no person needs to go away the social gathering to go and whip cream, unfold it on the cheesecake, enhance and mud…

However whipped cream, being the fragile factor that it’s, begins to deflate inside just a few hours. However not when you stabilise the whipped cream! You simply want so as to add a little bit gelatine while you whip the cream, and this may stabilise it sufficient so it stays fluffy for a few days, prefer it was freshly whipped. It doesn’t alter the feel or style of the whipped cream, and no person besides you (and anybody you resolve to reveal your secret to) will know.

See the recipe notes for learn how to make the stabilised whipped cream. It’s a recreation changer for cream embellished muffins – so useful! – Nagi x

Christmas cheesecake FAQ

Watch learn how to make it

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Straightforward Christmas Cheesecake Slab – no bake!

A Christmas dessert for warm summer time days

About this Christmas Cheesecake