Crustless Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my no-bake cheesecake batter so runny? ›

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.

Confectioners' Sugar: A smidge of confectioners' sugar thickens the filling, while also keeping it light. I tested with flour and cornstarch and both left a chalky aftertaste. I recommend sticking with confectioners' sugar. Sour Cream: Add a little sour cream for that trademark tangy cheesecake flavor.

Add Gelatin or Cornstarch

Gelatin is great for adding firmness, while cornstarch can thicken the mixture without making it too firm. Just make sure to dissolve the gelatin or cornstarch in a little bit of warm water before adding it to the filling.

They both are great in their own way. It all narrows down to your personal preferences. If you enjoy dense and velvety cake, a baked cheesecake is the one for you. Or if you crave some light and airy dessert post-dinner, go for the no-bake one.

For a sturdy no-bake cheesecake with beautifully neat slices, refrigerate for at least 12 hours. This makes for a great make-ahead dessert! Do not freeze the cheesecake to set it. The filling won't slice and you'll lose the velvet texture!

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.

If you are making a plain cheesecake such as my no-bake vanilla cheesecake, you can probably get away with cold ingredients, but generally the cream cheese should be room temp. Often a cheesecake mixture can split or curdle because of over mixing – I often get comments of 'how long do I mix for?

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.

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.

Almost every cheesecake recipe calls either gelatin or beaten eggs, which are used as a setting or thickening agents. The cake will not set properly if there is no egg in the preparation, and you will just have a cream cheese pudding.

What temperature should cheesecake be cooked at? ›

Place on oven rack then carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. Bake at 325°F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the top looks slightly dry, especially at the edges. If the middle is slightly wobbly like jello, that's fine.

The cheesecake also needs to be thoroughly chilled before serving and ideally overnight. If it is too runny it could be that it has not chilled for long enough for the cheesecake to set properly, so we suggest making the cheesecake the day before.

Doneness Test

Unlike with a standard cake, it is not recommended that you poke a cheesecake with a toothpick to see if it is done. In fact, a cheesecake is done before it looks done. The edges should be set, but the center will still be soft. Give the pan a little jiggle; the center few inches should still move a bit.

Heavy whipping cream - The whipping cream makes the cheesecake filling light and extra creamy. Softened Cream cheese - Cream cheese is the core ingredient in a cheesecake filling. Confectioners sugar - Sugar provides the sweetness that is necessary to mellow out the tangy flavor of the cream cheese.

PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM, SUGAR, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, WATER, CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF SALT, GUAR GUM, XANTHAN GUM, CHEESE POWDER (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), NATURAL FLAVOR, WHEY, BUTTER (CREAM), LACTIC ACID, BUTTERMILK, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, NONFAT MILK, ALGAL CAROTENES (COLOR), NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR) ...

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.