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Unbaked Cheesecake
Unbaked Cheese Cake is a nostalgic, no-bake dessert that features a light and creamy filling stabilized with gelatin and enriched with cottage cheese, cream, and citrus zest. This variation delivers old-fashioned charm with its delicate balance of lemony brightness and rich dairy base. The graham cracker crust provides a toasty, buttery contrast to the chilled, fluffy topping. It's the kind of dessert often found at summer luncheons, holiday spreads, or mid-century supper clubs, a cool treat served straight from the fridge that still satisfies like a baked cheesecake.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 381 kcal

Ingredients
  

Filling:

  • 2 tbsp unflavored gelatin
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 4 eggs (separated)
  • 1 cup table cream (or light cream)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 cups cottage cheese (sieved)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 lemons (juice of)
  • 1 lemon (rated peel of )
  • ½ cup heavy cream (whipped)

Crust:

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs ( or zwieback crumbs)
  • ½ cup butter (melted )
  • ¼ cup confectioners' sugar

Instructions
 

Step 1: Soften Gelatin

  • Soften gelatin in cold water and let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Cook Egg Yolk Mixture

  • In the top of a double boiler, lightly beat egg yolks.
  • Stir in softened gelatin, table cream, and sugar.
  • Place over boiling water and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.

Step 3: Add Flavorings

  • Remove from heat. Stir in cottage cheese, salt, vanilla, lemon juice, and grated peel.
  • Cool the mixture.

Step 4: Finish Filling

  • Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.
  • Gently fold in whipped cream until combined.

Step 5: Prepare Crust

  • Combine crumbs, melted butter, and confectioners’ sugar.
  • Press ⅔ of the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan or pie plate.
  • Reserve the rest for topping.

Step 6: Assemble and Chill

  • Pour filling into crust.
  • Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over the top.
  • Chill for several hours or overnight until firm.

Tips

  • Strain cottage cheese very well for a smoother filling
  • Press crust firmly to prevent crumbling when sliced
  • Use gingerbread crumbs as written for a spiced flavor, or graham crackers for classic
  • Chill overnight for the cleanest slices
  • Add extra lemon peel for brighter citrus flavor
  • Serve with fresh berries for contrast
  • Substitute cream cheese for cottage cheese for a richer texture
  • Make individual portions using dessert cups
  • Lightly toast crumbs for deeper crust flavor

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 13gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 388mgPotassium: 187mgFiber: 2gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 686IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chilled dessert, classic cheesecake, gelatin dessert, lemon cheesecake, no bake dessert, retro baking, vintage recipe
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